The Parma herald., 1916-05-11


he said gently. II did not mean that
you should ever see me--but you came
so suddenly, and out in this desolate
place you were the last person l ex-
pected. Forgive me-"
"Yes-yes, 1t is d desolate place-it
makes me frightened. But l was told
1t was something ought to see-and
a few minutes ago wasn't frightened
at all. Now-I see ghosts every
where"
Il am one OF them" be said.
She brushed her hand over her fore
head as though indeed trying to dispel
some terrifying specter. Her feeble
effort to regain her previous laughing
courage failed. She was white and
trembling.
Il am No. 4005 of the Foreign Le-
gion," he said. 'Is there anything
else that you need understandY
"Yes--I must feel as though one
Of us two were mad. The Foreign Le-
glon Is just the last resort for all the
rlffraff of the world-crminals gam
blers. cheats"
II am one OF them"
she was silent moment, looking at
him with large, thoughtful eyes, out of
which the fear had passed When she
spoke again her voice was full OF
smothered tenderness.
81 have thought OF you 80 much late
ly, Richard. couldn't understand
why 1t was. You haunted me. 1t
was as though something In the place
made me think OF you. remembered
all your little movements, the way you
looked. ! seemed to see you in others.
| grew almost-how shall / say p
homesick for you"
"You should have forgotten" he in
terrupted roughly. II have gone out
OF your life. Look upon me now as
what l am nova mere shadow"
Richard, what have you done?'
The tenderness had deepened. He
clenched his hands In movement of
uncomfortable pain.
Hasn't your husband told your"
mo. We never mention your name.
TO me 1t is sacred"
"For Gods sake, Sylvia" He
Strengthened up, his black brows mark
ing straight line across his face. ~
was turned out Of the army for be-
traying my country's secrets"
"You-a traitor Why?"
The monosyllable was like the stab
Of knife in the silence.
For a woman"
She drew back. Her eyes were dark
pools In which he saw no expression.
what woman?'
He bowed gravely.
Madame Arnaud, have still honor
enough left to remember the discre-
ton imposed upon honorable men,"
She turned away from him. He
could see nothing but her profile, the
exquisite. almost fiawess profile, cut
against background of mlngling gold
and emerald Her hands rested crossed
on the handle of her parasol. She had
grown suddenly very calm and deIib-
crate.
81 told you that l had thought of
you, Richard" she said quietly. "I did
not tell you how l thought of you. Do
you remember. our last meeting, or has
that been eclipsed by other more lovely
memories p
Silvia, be silentl dare not listen
to you. You don't know what you
are saying"
Il know what am saying, and you
must listen. When a man DESTROYS
something, 1t is no more than Just that
he should see what he has done. You
have destroyed somethlng-an ideal,
dream, my faith In honesty and good
ness. You were the one man be-
lieved and trusted. And now you are
like the rest-nothlng- nothing" She
turned away. 81 wish to God had
not met you, Richard"
He did not attempt to detain her.
He stood there like a man struck to
death by treacherous blow, and she
went on down the path to the gate
where her companion waited for her.
There she paused for moment.
81 want you to 60 back TO that
man." she said carelessly. "He is an
Did acquaintance who went wrong. and
i might be rather unpleasant for nv |
husband If he grew importunate. Tell |
lim that on no account must he speak
% me again. 1t Is very regrettable.
out mistakes of that sort bring their
'wn punishment. You understand,
Miss Smith7'
'Yes. Madame Arnaud."
Thank you. will walt for you
outside the public cemetery. It is get
ing dark
Miss Smith went slowly back along |
he narrow gravel path. The man had |
lot moved. He was gazing out on to |
he fiery waste now dying beneath the
mantle OF the night, and
lcither heard nor saw. She touched
i'm on the arm.
"Alr Farquharv'
He turned slowly and stared at her.
though he recognized her, his face was
'lank and hard and terrible.
Miss Smith,"
Eyes. Gabrielle Smith. You see,
fter all. we have met again. Won't
ou shake hands7"
His eyes wandered past her down
be path.
mo. You ought not to be speak king
0 rue. A respectable woman does not
peak to q common soldier of the |