The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-09-08
BY L. A. R. WYLIE
lAl rights reserved The Bobbs-MerriI Coz

Ou, i uUu huOW. w Sh you SIt
down? I certainly didn't expect any
English person in this dreadful place.
If one can live in England" She
broke off suddenly. What made you
leave?'
You see, have been rather lonely.
Since Richard left"
"Ah. yes. of course" Sylvia sat
down with her back to the sunlight.
her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
You must miss him very much"
ooh, terribly. But that's our fate
to have to get on without people we
have suffered for. You, for instance.
I'm sure sometimes you feel sad--a
little homesick-'
"Often." Sylvia looked up eagerly.
1--WE are alike, rather. We under
stand each other" Mrs. Farquhar was
silent moment, considering the white
faced woman opposite her with bright.
affectionate eyes. "And so you are
sometimes lonely2 If it were not for
Captain Arnaud 1 should pity you. Syl-
via"
Eyes, of course, if it were not for
Desire" She stopped, as though
seeking for words, and slowly, beneath
the persistent gaze Of the blue eyes.
the last trace of color died from her
cheeks. The hand that passed Mrs.
Farquhars cup across the table shook.
II am sorry-but the life out here
makes one so nervy and jerky."
Eyes, can'imagine that" Mrs. Far
quhar agreed seriously. Il had hoped
to find Captain Arnaud here. l was
so charmed with him, you know. and
wished Richard and he had been more
friendly. Poor Richard" Sylvia's
hand tightened on the carved arm of
her chair She made movement as
though on the edge Of an impulsive
speech, then drew back, white Tipped
and silent. Mrs. Farquhar bent for
ward and patted her on the knee Il
didn't mean to hurt you. l know how
delicate and sensitive you are. child.
But you must never worry about Rich
ard. He writes me such wonderful
letters, and in each one of them he
talks about you, how good you are,
how much nobler and better you are
than other women. Really-it is quite
touching" She stopped short. syl-
via Arnaud had risen to her feet. She
stood prfectly upright for moment,
staring in front of her with blank eyes.
and then suddenly she lifted her hands
to her head.
Its the heat-the awful sun
shine
She collapsed. senseless, at Mrs. Far
quhar's feet.
Mrs. Farquhar got up. She looked
down at the motionless figure but did
not touch it. She rang the little ORR
entail bell lying in the midst of the
English silver.
your mistress has tainted" she
said coolly to the panic-stricken sery-
ant who answered the summons. II
think a little sal volatile is all that
is needed | leave her. | am sure. in
good hands" She smiled graciously
and went out into the sunny court
yard. Gabrielle Smith, who stood by
the fountain, trimming the luXuriant
ferns, turned as she heard the light.
quick tap of Mrs. Farquhar's French
heels. Mrs. Farquhar held out her
hand.
Il have to thank you for your le.-
ter" she said.
There isn't any need for thanks.
hesitated for twenty-four awful hours.
But felt had to do something. Once
| had seen your name and address on
that envelope I dared not keep 81
Ience"
II shall never be able to repay my
debt. l hurried here as fast as ex-
press trains and wretched French
packet boats could carry me. l want
ed to reach Sidi-bel- Abbes before you
left. You have given up your situa-
tion?'
Yes"
Twill you come to me?'
Gabrielle Smith did not answer for
moment. Her eyes rested steadfast-
ly, significantly, on the faded, pow
dered face.
L lIlluh-Dtllct hOl, Mis-
You know nothing about me-not even
whether I am respectable"
You are the woman who has given
me the hope that 1 may see my son
again before | die. That is all | care
about! am an old woman, Miss
Smith, and what lies before me is al
most beyond my powers. ] need YOU
my son needs you. Will you think of
that:"
Yes" Gabrielle answered simply.
Then l rely upon you. Here is
my card. Come to see me as soon
as you can. We must act at once viii
you accompany me to my carriage?"
AS Gabrielle helped her silently into
the waiting victoria Mrs. Farquhar
turned for a moment to glance behind
her Her face. which had suddenly
grown old and lined with grief. lit up