The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-10
Continued from Last Week. j
CHAPTER XXI.
Atonement.


 Mrs. Farquhar, do you hear me-do you understand?"
 The wide blue eyes fickered an in- stant; 1t was her only response She lay stretched out, white and still on the great bed-a pathetic figure h which age and childhood's frailty had Joined in the completed circle of life. Her hands lay on the counterpane. They were still loaded with ringA and the heavy, glistening stones seemed to have drawn in all the vitality from the dead and helpless fingers. For the first time her wig sat straight, and by contrast the face beneath looked smaller. wiZened and shriveled like a little old witch who, somehow or other, had retained a grotesque fasci- nation. Only the eyes were terrible Save for that one scarcely perceptible flicker of assent they never closed or wavered, yet the change iii them was ceaseless. They passed from face to face with a concentrated intensity that was savage fin it's dumb significance They became then pitfable in their ap- peal or frantic in their fierce impa- tience.
 Preston, standing beside her, took one of the helpless hands and pressed it shyly.
 You understand. Mrs. Farnuhara I've been something worse than blackguard-I've been a fool. But now I'm going back to make good. You trust me now, don't you? You believe me-Td lay down my life to have Richard back. You know that? won't touch my native shore till I've made things right"
 It was scarcely a smile that shad- owed the blue eyes Ther suddenly they closed, and the last sign of life was snuffed out like the light of a candle. Preston looked up. Gabri- elle stood at t5e foot of the bed and she beckoned him, and they went out together in the adjoining room. Pres ton closed the door His boys face, contrasting curiously with the upright, powerful figure. had lost it's hopeful ness and had become haggard and overcast.
 My God, and to think that was instrumental in thatl" he said hoarsely. TT feel as though had murdered someone; it's pitiable-terrible I shall see those eyes to my nfe's end, Miss Smith,"
 She nodded from the window where she stood looking out on to the street bathed in the mellow glow of evening.
 Tt is awful to watch the struggle" she said half to herself. "She is trying to tell us something, and cannot read the message. Her eyes are full of it. I feel that I am blind and stupid not to understand-but I only know that it Is vital, that 1t may mean life or death"
 "Death?" he echoed blankly.
 "After what you saw that night, don't you realize that death is not far of?"
 He thrust his hands deep into his pockets.
 q won't believe it." he said decisive ly. "They dare not"
 'Is there anything that dare not be done to a legionaryT
 He is an Englishman. Tiff they dared should make it an international question: should rouse all Eng land"
 Would you succeed in getting a let ter into the Times, do you think. MT. Preston?"
 He drew bis bands out of his pockets and swung round aEgrily on her. She was smiling a wry amusement.
 Miss Smith-can you afford to laugh?"
 'Yes--a little. I suppose you think me heartless. AS matter of fact, we laugh most easily when" She stopped short with a gesture of irapatience. Forgive me. have a tendency to be trite, and at that moment I was peril ously near pataos as well"
 T knew what you mean, though. didn't thirk you heartless. But you can't feel as do You haven't all this on your CohStAtHNt- Npu Wtfen AtS friend as I was" He caught a glimpse of her face clean cut against the light. and suddenly he falterea ard tie slew color mounted to his eyes.
 "l-I understand You're rather snlendid, Miss Smith. If I could only set things right-make goodw he nut tered.
 She made a little gesture of assent.
 "T5at seems to me all that we live for" she said thoughtfully, ito make good--either to others or to ourselves. 0nly-it isn't often granted us."
 He had the feeling that siie was not speaking to him. that for the moment he had passed out of her range of vision, and he remained silent. Some one tapped at the door, and instantly their eyes net in mutual interrogation. "A gentleman to see you, mademoi- selle.7
 She passed into the little adjoining sitting room and closed the door quiet ly behind her So quiet indeed had