The Tomahawk., 1918-01-10

showed no signs of movement. Then
they drank together, the older man
and his servant. Still John never
moved. Jennings drained his glass,
placed the decanter by his masters
side, and withdrew.
$50 the poison's still there, broth
err" Stephen asked.
"And will be so long as live," John
confessed gloomily. "For all that, I'll
not drink your toast.'
"Why not?"
"There was little girl-you saw
her when you were in London. She is
married now, but I think Of her some
times; and when I do, you and old
Jennings seem to me like couple of
blithering idiots cursing things too
wonderful for you to understand"
Stephen made no protest. For a
time he smoked in silence. Curiously
enough, as they sat together, some of
the grim fierceness seemed to have
passed e-om his expression and settled
upon John. More than once, as he
looked across at his younger brother,
it almost seemed us If there was some
thing of self-reproach in his question
ing look.
"You dined at the ordinary in Mar
ket Ketton?" Stephen asked at last.
II did,"
"Then you heard the news?"
"Who could help it?" John muttered.
''There wasn't much else talked
about"
"Bailiff Henderson has been over
here" Stephen went on. "There's a
small army Of painters and decorators
coming down to the castle next week.
You saw the announcement Of the
wedding in the morning Post, maybe?"
John assented without words. Ste
phen smoked vigorously for few mo-
ments. Every now and then he
glanced across to where John was sit
ting. Once again the uneasiness was
in his eyes, an uneasiness which was
almost self-reproach.
John moved little restlessly in his
chair.
Lets drop 1t, Stephen" he begged.
1--WE both know the facts. She is 60
ing to marry him, and that's the end
of 1t. Fill your glass up again. Here's
mine untouched. I'll drink your toast
with you, If you'll leave out the little
girl who was kind to me. I'll give it
to you myself-confusiOn to all wom-
enw
"Confusion to-" Stephen began.
"What on earth Is that?"
They both heard it at the same time
the faint beating Of a motor engine
in the distance. John set down his
glass. There was strange look in
his eyes.
"There are more cars passing along
the road now than in the old days."
he muttered; "but that's q queer
sound. 1t reminds one-good heavens,
how 1t reminds Onel"
There was lock of agony In his
face for moment. Then once more
he raised his glass to his lips.
'It's passed out Of hearing" Stephen
said. Its someone on the way to the
castle, maybe"
Still their glasses remained suspend
ed in midair. The little garden gate
had opened and closed with click /;
there were footsteps upon the flinty
walk.
Its someone coming herel" John
cried hoarsely. "Why can't they keep
away7 It's two years ago this week
since brought her up the drive and
you met us at the front door. Two
years ago, Stephenl Who can it be?"
They heard the front door open.
they heard Jennings voice raised In
unusual and indignant protest. Then
their own door was suddenly flung
wide, and miracle happened. Johns
glass slipped from his fingers, and the
wine streamed out across the carpet.
He shrank back, gripping ut the table
cloth. Stephen turned his head, and
sat as If turned to stone.
"John," she faltered, 1T isn't the car
this time-it is I who have broken
down. I cannot 60 on. have no
pride left. I have come to you. Will
you help me7"
he 1OuuU ulIuScH UpOu uAS ASel' osC-
phen, too, had arisen. She stood be-
tween the two men, and glanced from
one to the other. Then she looked
more closely into Johns face. peering
forward with q little start Of pain, and
her eyes were filed with tears.
"John," she cried, "forgive mel You
were so cruel that morning, and you
seemed to understand so little. Don't
you really understand, even now?
Have you ever known the truth, won
derT'
"The truth "" he echoed hoarsely.
"Don't we all know that? Don't we all
know that he is to give you your rights,
that you are coming"
"Stop!" she ordered him.
He obeyed, and for a moment there
was silence-a tense, strained silence.
"John," she continued at last, II