The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-04-27
CHAPTER ~.
Mrs. Farquhsr Explains.


Mrs. Farquhar ran down the stair,
10 her sons library. 1t was neglect
} ed room, which he only used on rare
occasions. The old weapons hanging
on the walls had belonged to his "a
Their, and the whole atmosphere seemed
lmpregnated with the spirit of dead
II powerful, personality.
Mrs. Farquhar closed the door with
chuckle Of triumphant malice.
They're gone at last" she said. ~
assure you there isn't a more surprised
woman In England than dear Sylvia.
sne came expecting to find me with
ashes ON my head instead of wig
ana laughed In her face" Richard
rarqunar turned from the window
wnere he had been standing, and her
eyes grew suddenly grave. "My dear.
you're not breaking your heart over
her, are your"
No" He came slowly into the room
i might have done so, but fate has
given me something else to come 70
grief over I've had quarrel with
Sower." -
She said nothing. and he went on
sentiy; HE was dangerous. | have
resigned my commission. That was
his price for my fathers name"
Still Mrs. Farquhar did not speak.
She sat down in the great leather
chair by the fireplace, and the wild.
childish horror in her eyes touched him
to an amazed pity. Mother, don't
want to hurt you, but you must.
have a right now to know"
Eyes, yes" She put her hands TO
her white-powdered cheeks. Eyes. YES.
OF course There isn't much. 1t was
In this room. Richard. He came home
one night and said he had killed
man. lit was awfull-he had no
blood on him, Richard, but one felt he
had blood all over; 1t was in his ewes
and He said 1t was all rigbt-no
one could touch him, but he had to |
go-for always. And then he cursed
me-and then he fell on his knees
nere-by this chalr-and buried his
race In my lap-and cried. If was
awful, Richard-a man like that-to
cry Her voice cracked, and became
thin and broken like an old. worn-out
instrument. Then he went away
and one day a man came to me and
told me he was dead-but I never
knew. ! always believed | should
know"
He knelt beside her. and, taking ber
lands between his own, soothed them
Ike child's. There was something
u the action curiously at variance
with bis expression. which was hard
md reckless.
But Sower-" She turned hor
aded' frightened eyes to him. az never
Understood that, Richard: newer mn {
ersfood why he shielded us. 1t fright.
ned me. Only once he spoke of II
re SAID he would never make use nj
ne power-unless we made him. Rut
was MS rather who had been-mur- =
cred. 1t wasn't natural, Richard n A
'asn't natural that he should forgJvar =
NO. be agreed sternly; and then .
'ter moments silence: "And INV :
'tner-was there no reason-bad no
. explanationT' NC
with sudden vigorous movamont
le freed herself and stood nm bar
enched. jeweled hands nrsssad "
'alnst her breast, her eyes grown ~ ~
Iddenly electric. y
II was the excuse" sba s.,., ~
'rcely. And was excuse enourh - N
your" He also had risen. ana o. az
ey stood there facing eacb otha~ "
subtle resemblance of tempera, - -
emit seemed to blaze through tba,r -
atures IKE some inward fire. cbang w.
all physical dissimilarity TO a con 10
ncing likeness. eon co
Yes. You don't understand NJ, w
You are too young. But II Is 70,
men like myself who drive man - ~ ~,
ca tnings. We are educated n ho s,s
'ressional vampires, and the ~
iins we have the more deadly ~,
:. she gave short, ironical Ioueh hs, '
ont you want to curse me2, M ra'
No. he answered simply. 81 done era
sc you any more than | belI.vs ~ Iv
ner does II be is alive. If h. :, do,
We l am going to find him. ana 20 the
no MIN, shall tell him that hon w,t
love him. There was n wrone srr
righted, and he did his best - tsr
az TO the door. and there turnaa col,
looked at her. IF | find NV To-
= Is tnere any message that I mo-
nim-rrom youT he asked
Tell him that that nipbt h.
sne said with defiance. "Tell hin, tne
IN the brief interludes when I dara an
that" ILL., Tel OF l
'ep lara Farquhar bowed and want ar
}. Captain Sewer ba .eaened bis thei
informed, get