Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-04-16

the ground IN a puzz,eu manner.
This is the rottenest green on the
course" he muttered. Whose play,
caddy?'
The caddy considered the mater
for a moment and pointed to Nj.
chael. This time there was no mis-.
take. The ball went well and tray
to the bottom of the hole. Norman
again surprised me. He studied his
ridiculous little putt with exaggerat.
ed care, brushed away some fancied
impediment and reproved his caddy
sharply for talking. When he hit
the ball. he hit it crisply enough,
but again with that little stab which
drew it once more to the wrong side
of the hole. There was a little muir.
muir.
Il never saw such filthy putting
in my life"' Norman exclaimed, look.
ing exactly like a normal man who
has lost an important match. by
moments careIessness. Your match.
Monsieur Benisande. I think per
haps you deserved it. You had all
the worst of the luck until my put.
ting paralysis set in"
Michael took off his hat, and 1 saw
great beads Of Precipitation upon his
forehead
Il am thankful for my win," he
said quietly, but I scarcely expect.
ed it."
Janet and I will leave st. Jean de
Luz at once" Norman announced.
l.
rejoined quickly. Tomorrow start
for the mountains. I shall be gone
for a week or mere. beg that you
will not hurry your departure.
May l speak to you for a moment
Janet?"
Norman made his way, without re
mark, to the clubhouse He neither
spoke TO nor looked toward Michael
again. Men are strange beings. This
was the passing of the feud which
left them both forsworn.
4 SPARED Michael the question
which l knew was upon his lips
t"Beatrice is WELL" l told him
She is still unmarried"
Il am sorry to hear that she is un.
married" he said, although no man
in the world could be worthy of her
I am going to intrust you with 8
mission. If ever the truth concern
ing me should come to light, want
her to know this"
He drew from his pocket letter.
case of black silk with platinum
clasps, a simple but very elegant
trifle for a man, Out of it he drew
what appeared to be it's sole con.
tents, a crumpled card, upon which
was written, in Beatrice's handwrit.
ing, her own name. The card was
smeared as though with the stain of
crushed flowers.
Il planned my DEATH" he con
tinued with faint return to his old
cynical smile, very much as l have
lived my life-with my tongue in my
cheek. Then I read in some French
paper that Beatrice had sent flowers
to the hospital for my funeral, and
felt all the bitter shame Of man
who has done an ugly thing I made
what atonement I could. After hav,
ing reached absolute safety, I risked
I attended my own funeral. I stole
that card and one of the flowers
from the grave. If ever she should
learn the truth" he added, his face
turned away toward the mountains,
Il should like her to know that. She
may reckon it as atonement."
l laid my hand upon his arm.
Speech of any sort seemed to have
become extraordinarily difficult.
TYHE last we saw of Michael was,
in its way, allegoricaL AS we
climbed one o. the grassy slopes.
of the golf-club on the following
morning, we saw two men on the
other side of the river, walking
steadily away from us along the
path which led across the lower
chain of hills toward the mountains,
They carried knapsacks on their
backs and long slaves in their hands.
They had, somehow, at that distance.
the air OF pilgrims.
There goes Benisande, off on one
of his mountain expeditions the
secretary. who was playing with
Norman, remarked, pointing them
out. "They say that he has made
up his mind to climb that farther
peak beyond the pass. Even the
Basque guides call him foolhardy."
I watched the two figures. waved
my hand in futile farewell. But Mi.
chael never once turned back.
THE END.