Part 28 (2/2)

Well, for that matter he could hardly do so, if only that he knew his sister well enough to know also that under the circuh at the advice or attempted control of anybody, and that had I discountenanced her project by refusing to accompany her she would si the question on its lowest ground--what sort of figure should I have cut?

Noere drawing near the fatal spot We seehthastly, staring upward to the full broad aze--and that other face, calm, placid, as overtaken by death before a lasthorror had had ti to the utuess why he had been brought here, and that moment would be his last; for, thus rendered desperate, would he not make one last effort for life? All was still--still as death, save for the tread of the horses; yet momentarily I awaited the roar of the shot which should send Kuliso into that unseen world whither his victims had preceded him

Then just what I had expected came to pass Suddenly, and by a rapid, serpentinefor the shade of a thick clu, and simultaneously dark, sinuous for froe--naked, ochre-stained--poising a heavy knobkerrie for a throw He could not, at that short distance, miss his mark--and that mark, Beryl And he was behind her, and--she did not see him It was all done in a second I drove the spurs ho up in the stirrups to catch or ward off the murderous club as, with a whizz, it left his hand I felt a sharp, fiery dig in the side, in ht was scorched as with the blaze of a million fires, and then--blankness-- oblivion!

CHAPTER THIRTY

”AT LAST!”

”Hush Don't talk yet It's too soon”

A cool hand was laid uponover me was the face that had been with h all the unnae eyes were infinitely tender now, the serene face soft and pitiful

”It was only asped out the question, for I was very weak, hted on the black heaviness of Beryl's attire Then I knew that it was true

”Don't talk any et well”

”And then you will leave et well”

”I haven't left you all these weeks, Kenrick, so ain now,” she answered ”But if you don't obey orders I will So be quiet”

This was irrefutable; besides, there was that in the sight of her, in her words, in her tones, which shed over me a kind of drowsy peace I lay still, content to watch her as she sat byevery now and then, atchful care, to brush away the flies that threatened to disturb e to say, I seemed to feel no curiosity as to the extent of my injuries, or as to what had happened, or even where I was Her presence was all-sufficient, and soon I dropped off to sleep again

I pass over the days of convalescence, the recollection of which is somewhat confused Beryl was seldom absent from my bedside, and I retain a sort of consciousness of others stealing in to look at ned sleep I didn't want to see anybody else-- anybody but her

One ely well The object of lance was not there Her accustomed seat was occupied by Brian

”Feel better, old chap?” he said, coe said you'd take a sudden turn”

”Pentridge? Oh, he's been herding me then? But--Brian--where am I?”

For aleness of s

”Why, you're where you've been the last feeeks--at Fort Lae wanted to turn out of his house, and put us all in there, but he'd only just got into it himself, and it's all at sixes and sevens”

Theback all the old bitterness, and I lay still, not caring to talk any more But Brian was not of the saain you have been a sort of Providence to us,”

he said ”But for you, Beryl would have been killed stone dead--if you hadn't stopped that kerrie Nothing could have saved her I saw it”