The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-06-25

him. lie $1,000 quito sun
the blood in his veins seemed
turned 20 ice--nis whole big body
stiffened.
Joan's voice-a mere flutfering
whieper--came TO him thru the si-
lsnce--
You mustn't play tonigbc
don't trust them Major has prom
ised me. butt don't believe him:
don't play tonight---ob. promise me
promise meg In the dusk she
wrung her hands together az II she
vaguely understood that her words
were falling on deaf ears.
"Promise me: IL you ever loved
mo at all. promise me" she said
again desperately.
Terriers mouth twirted into q
WY smile: when lie answered, be
did not raise HIS voice. but II sound.
cd cruel. cutting.
You have made q fool Of me
twice already he said.
That was all. lie turned away
before she had ume 70 answer. and
began 70 descend tho stsirA She
followed. the soft silk OF her frock
made little soughing sound over
the thick carpet: she ciutched at
his shoulders desperately. She was
two stairs above him. and as he
turned lrresolutely, their faces were
almost on level.
He might easily have freed him
self: her grasp had no more phys
ical strength over him than the
touch Of butterfly. and yet--for
moment he could not have moved
had his life been forfeited.
"aichard. Richardl Don't look at
me like that Don't turn away from
me--it's not my fault. Some day
you'n be sorry. Its not my fault
not my fault!-
Joan's face was 30 near to Fer
riers. no near that he could feel her
flutterfng breath on bis cheek--see
the dark curl OF her isshcs ringing
the terror Of her eyes Then her
arms stole upwards TO bis neck: the
soft fingers touched his bronzed
throat. with a sudden passionate
gesture he flung her from him. lie
was trembling all Overt
Let me go~-let me co.
He went down the stairs two NJ .
time without backward glance.
When he entered fthe dining room.
where Bennett and Hastings were
waiting. he looked CHASTITY: Bennett
stared at him auixzically thru little
screwed up eyea
-Huilol Seen q Ghostf You look
a. II you'd been chased by the devil
himself he grinneds
Ferrier made no answer. Dur
ing dinner. he allowed bis glass 10
be filled and rcfiiled time after
time.
Across the table Joan watched
him with nnguished eyes. she sat
next 10 Msjor--it was pitiabie the
way she tried To talk aud laugh with
him
Major had adopted . nev air Of
proprietorship toward her He sat
with his arm famiiiariy along the
back Of her chair.
When they rose from tie table.
Fcrricr was flushed and excited his
eyes were reckless !.
They went into the smoking room:
Bennett pulled tho cardtable for
ward and opened = fresh pack Of
cards The little man WAS very
merry--he bawied out the chorus Of
For he's jolly good fellow"
He had no voice at all: Major
cuffed him playfuliy and told him
TO go into the next street
open the window. someone, .
said Fcrrier I'm stiflinrr~
lie crossed the room and let IN q
rush OF sea breeze; II sfeadlcd him.
he laughed rather foolIshIy.
where's Miss HastfnRas Tel her
to come In and see me show you
how TO play cards. What shall It
be- Make Il what you Ike I'm a
match for you ALI" His raised
voice reached Joan In the hall: she
opened the door and came into the
room. Her eyes went straight to
Terriers face: he smiled reckiessly
at her. She crossed to Major and
spoke to him agitatedly.
Major answered her In o. low.
soothing voice.
Hes all right take no notice:
he's had too much winc--
Ferrier caught the last words: he
made a furious iunge at Major.
Hastings and Bennett seixed him
each by an sarm and forced him
backward
"who says rye had too much
wine?" he shouted. Let him say
II again--iet him say 1t again"
My dear chap. don't be an ASST
Hastings spoke sharply: he frowned
across at Major. ''He was only rot.
ting. Apologize 20 Ferrier. Major
IT'S only joke-apologize.-
Il apologize" said Major sulkfiy.
Ferrier sat down heavily IN the
chair behind him--he glowered sus-
piciousiy at the three men--sudden.
ly hts mood changed. He got TO
his feet. he took up a handful OF
cards and flung them down on the
table; they scattered TO the floor.
who's playing?- he said excited.
iy. Come along--what's Il TO be-"
Joan clutched Majors arm.
stop him--stop him, You prom.
Used me-
Major patted her hand
My dear little girl--it's an right.
I shall not break my promisc-un.
less you break yours" he added
meaningly.
Joan sat down In a big chair--she
looked as II she were going to faint.
Hastings crossed the room TO her--
he bent over her. speaking sharply.
A flame OF color dyed her white
shrank back. as II she
feared he would strike her.
Ferrier looked across the room.
"Come over here next TO me.
Miss Hastings; come and see me
win some money" He dragged a
chair up beside him; there was a
fierce sort of mockcry in his eyes.
There was whirling wheel In
his brain--hc felt as II his veins
were filled with running fire. He
was conscious only Of the desire to