The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-06-18

sceching clasp OF her hands on his,
the words she had spoken. He
moved restlessly. he hated the mar
row confines Of the carriage. He
would like TO have got out and gone
for a long tramp. BY no other way
could he have rid himself OF the
overwhelming sense Of depression
that had him in it's clutches.
Major met his eyes across tho
length Of the carriage.
Poor little Joan didn't like our
running away" he said. smiling. and
showing his white teeth. "She win
be dull down there. Between you
and me and the doorpost, she doesn't
get on so very well with our friend
Ralphw
Indeed! thought they seemed
right enough" Ferrier spoke blunt j
~; he resented this mans confi1I
dence. He could find IL in his he's
10 admire rogue who was loyal
TO his brother rogues. but one who
was inclined TO give his friends away
left him with no feeling but cutting
contempt
All. yes; that's Joan's cleverness.
She's wonderful actress, that won-
an You'd be surprised IL you knew
her as well as | do"
Should II"
She's had rotten life of IL. poor
kid. I'd give something TO be able
TO marry her. and take her out Of it.
We'll, why noty" Ferfier asked
his question cooliy: no muscle quiv-
cred as he turned his head and look
ed at his companion.
Major shrugged his shoulders.
"A wife IL an expensive luxury.
Joan's been used to the best, and
I'm not blessed with wealth. When,
they lived in High Chimneys-"
He broke off, struggling his shout
ders expressively.
Yes" said FerIicr. when they
lived at High Chimneys!-
You ought to have seen the
place." said Major with a sudden
burst Of enthusiasm. Fishing, boat
ing, hunting--it was a bad Job for
them when the money gave out 4
They're quite comfortably off now. 90
course. but nothing like what they
were when first knew them"
is that so7-
Ferrier was politely interested
His face was a little pale. but IL
would have been impossible to have
judged from his expression the re-
straint he was putting upon him
self
You spoke Of Miss Hastings hav-
ing hard life Of it, he said pres
entity. May ask in what way?"
Major pursed his lips; he pulled
at his mustache.
"Oh. the usual thing-there was
a love affair. thought you might
have beard-it was your friend
Micky. Hastings wouldn't hear Of
l think II was wise Micky was . 4
good chap. but he had no money.
and when he had. he couldn't keep
it," He smiled slightly. as II at
some pleasant recollection Terrier
nearly choked with anger. He
guessed that Major was thinking Of
time when they had Micky In the E
tolls.
Ferrier reAnpscd into sflenca, ana
Major took UP . paper. The train
sped on toward London. the last
high. unlovely embankment stretch
ed up on either dre. dotted with
white daisies Ferrier, listening
vagur' y to the clatter of the train,
felt as II his heart were being
dragged from his body back to the
little white cottage on the cliff over
looking the sea- Gradually a monot-
onous ring seemed to weave itself
into the racing Gilt chatter: it seemed
to shape into words that rang in
his head mechanically. He found
himself echoing them with his lips
Come back soon! Come back soon."
They were the words Joan had
said TO him He leaned back, closing
his eyes
Presently he slept The hot after
noon sun streamed thru the blind
less window on his tanned face and
strong figure Across the carriage
the man Major watched him with a
half smile. Presently he moved
cautiously along the seat toward him,
an inch at a time. making no noise,
pausing every now and then to lis
ten to Terriers deep breathing.
Once Ferrier flung himself for
ward restlessly, as IL in his sleep he
were graphing with an imaginary
foe. Now and again Ne mutteredsd
angrily-presently single word fell
audibly into the silence. JOAN
Major sat very still--his smile grew
ugly.
THE weak link in the chain- He
half spoke the words to himself He
shrugged his hroulders and moved on
another cautious inch.
Terrier slept as a tired man sleeps,
head sunk forward on his great
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