The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-21
CHAPTER V. (Continued).
The Siren

| CHAPTER V. (Continued). i The Siren. And again her mood changed. She wondered what he would ask of her! | Would he propose? Makes what so stranger" she | asked
 ''The spell you've cast over me" She smiled faint1y and shook her head.
 i've cast a spell over you?" she cried protestingly. Are you accus- ! ing me of witchcraft or black magic ?" Heavens knows what it is," he an- i swered. "I don't. I've never exper- fenced anything like it before." She laughed
 "Rea1ly?"
 Why, in single hour, you've done more for me than any one else I've ever known. You've wakened me up! You've made me get the proper per spective on the life I've been lead ing here! You've put sand into me ambition! Why you've made me want to go in for big things. You've made me want to live! You've made new man of me in one day."
 She wondered if she had unwit- tingly helped him. The thought was not unpleasant. To be a mans in spiration and lead him on to bigger better things was new role for Lorah Waring. She found the pros pect inviting.
 'I hope you are right" she said slowly. "I hope so I should like to help you!''
 If loving her was going to do him good, she thought, let him love her. by all means.
 "I wonder if you really would" he said.
 eff I really wou1d-what? asked Lorah.
 day has meant as much to you as it has meant to me. But of course it hasn't-it couldn't have!'
 His voice was very low. She leaned forward and looked up into his haIf- averted face.
 Why do you say that?" she ask ed.
 He shrugged.
 'I could hardly expect you to feel answered.
 Do you mean that you are grate- ful to me for what I said to you this afternoon?" she asked
 ''No," He was trembling.
 Mot that?"
 No,' he repeated with some effort The blood was roaring in his ears
 tolIS WdllSo DrealnleSSIy. lie turned slowly and looked at her intently She had risen-was standing quite close to him. And in her great gray eyes was the light that lured him on. Her lips were parted. Her white bosom rose and fell-rose and fell
 I mean," he said, clenching his hands upon the brim of his hat, that you've turned my head I feel as if I'd die if you went out of my life to but-I-I-"
 His voice died away The rest of what he had meant to say was lost as he suddenly yielded to the temp tation he had been fightfng-and swept her into his arms.
 Startled, dazed, frightened, taken utterly unaware-she made no ef- fort at first to fight him off And so he held her close-crushing her soft lips under his.
 She had never intended to let the game go this far. She had meant to listen with bowed head to his avowal-to weep a little, perhaps-as she told him how her husband had robbed her of all power to love again. And she had meant to dismiss him gently, kindly, gracious1y.
 But he had taken the game out of her hands His arms were hurting her. His kisses were s1nothering her. The huntress found herself trapped as she had planned to trap her un- wary quarry.
 And as some wild creature of the woods might have fought-she fought now flor her freedom. Exertfng ey- cry atom of strength she possesser. she struggled to release herself.
 His first impulse was to hold her fast But that madness passed.
 He let his arms drop. She moved orr as tep or two, swayfng and stead led herself by seizing the brass rail lie watched her-standing motionless hard, as though she had been running.
 How dared you?' gasped I,orab Waring, trembling with rage and in d1gnation. How dared you do such a thing to me?''
 I'm sorry he answered hoarse1v
 was mad-I-I didn't realize. I thought
 He stopped he1p1essly, as he looked at her and saw her white furious face. her blazing eyes, her drawn lips. She rubbed her handkerchief fierceIv over the mouth his kisses had pro- faned. She drew her spansled silver scarf over her shoulders.
 Go-for pity's sakel'' she cried "Goi" crieo'
 He did not stir A great ue5rt+ seemed to drag down his bear+