The Hermit of Far End

led up to an enormous door of ancient oak, studded with nails-destined, it would seem, to resist the onslaught of an armed multitude. The sternness of its aspect, when the great door w

ting to greet the Durwards, whose approach was already

r guests; and even now her position there was merely an honorary one! In a few minutes, when Mrs. Durward should step across the threshold, it was she wh

he drive and pull up in front of the house, and there was no trace of reluctance in the smile of greeting w

ra, seeing that the chauffeur immedi

clared they should see nothing of the place cooped up in the car

ting together by the tea-table until the sound of vo

d to meet them, while Sara followed a trifle hesita

tly as long as it suited her, now that the moment had come which would actually install the new mistress of the Co

liteness, or, even, solely at the instance of her husband, and it was conceivable that th

c. And then a very low contralto voice, indescribably sweet, and with an audacious ripple of laughter running

you'd refused to stay, he'd have felt just like the villain in a cinema film. You've saved us from becoming the crawling, self-reproachful wretches." Then she turned a

, and a kind of radiance seemed to envelope them-a glory imparted by the sheer force of perfect symmetry and health-and, in the case of

: "I think she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen," and she rec

ous curves, and the rich chestnut hair, swathed round her small, fine head, gleamed with the sheen which only youth or immense vitality bestows. Her skin was of that almost dazzling purity which is so often found in conjunction with reddish hair, and the defect of over-light brows and lashes, which not infrequen

ting to dread, and then Elisabeth, making some trivial observation as she moved nearer to the fire, smiled

ng of relief that Sara encountere

Elisabeth's glowing auburn colouring had sobered to a steady brown-evidenced in the crisp, curly hair and sun-tanned skin; and the misty hyacinth-blue of her eyes had hard

rd Mayor," he murmured plaintively to Sara as they sat dow

ike me. I always look upon you in the light of a perpetual compliment, because you've elected to grow up l

ted with

years I've been mistaking mere vulgar

sive glance at his wife's beautiful face. It was obvious that he worshipped her

to Sara wit

iss Tennant, to be ble

l," interpolated

besottedly in love with each other. Instead of being-as I ought to be-

goodly proportio

d it," she assured him; and

l, you'll soon perceive how utterly I am neglected. Perhaps"-his face bri

ther placidly, holding out her cup, "and ask

eir enthusiastic, unconventional hospitality towards such an utter stranger as herself, devoid of any real claim upon them, she found the trio unexpectedly interesting and delightful. They had hailed her as a friend, and her frank, warm-hearted nature responded instantly, speedily accordi

mpanionship; and though the hyacinth eyes held always in their depths that strange suggestion of mystery, Sara grew to believe it must be mere

e to view her from an ordinary prosaic standpoint. Occasionally she would recall the fact that Mrs. Durward was in reality a woman of over forty, mother of a grown-up son who, acco

ould there ever be. She was full of colour and brilliance,

and and son. She was still as romantically in love with Major Du

indulge her in every whim. Nevertheless, there was nothing either small or petty in her willful

he same roof with an attractive young person of the opposite sex. He had an engaging habit of appearing at the door of Sara's sitting-room with an ingratiating: "I say, may I come in for a yarn?" And, upon receiving permission, he would esta

day, as he sprawled in blissful indolence on the great bearski

u mean? I'm doing very comfortably just at

g to be? Aren't you going

y, removing his pi

e said

er, doing nothing. I should have thought you wo

e eyes

" he said gruffly. "But the

e pain in his sudde

did soldier, Tim"-eyeing his

mother worried so frightfully whenever I suggested the idea that I had to give i

could co

ged his s

ch chance of that!-I'm out of the running. But if it ever does, Sara"-he laid his hand eagerly on her knee-"I swear I'll be one of the first to volun

e was, stranded in a little country backwater, simply eating his heart out. Mentally she determined to broach the subject to Elisabeth as soon as an opportunity presented itself; but for the moment she skillfully drew the conversation away from what was e

n their way to the village, evidently on the best of terms with one another, a placid smil

e asked, seeing that Elisabeth's

himself to be falling in love, I don't doubt; but at twenty-tw

I fell in love with you at the mature age

shed him a ch

in your footsteps, then,

sband, jerking his head explanatorily in the d

ith the woman who makes Tim

moment; then he ret

tty young woman,

oo thin, and strong, and eager. But she is a very uncommon ty

m's profession, but she contrived it one afternoon when she and Elisa

th made answer. "He can act as agent for his father to some extent, and re

difficult to pursue the subject, but Sara, remem

o the Army-he's so keen on it

hough a veil had descended, from behind which the inscrutable eyes

ugh. I should see so little of my Tim if he

aid Sara. "To my mind, it's the finest

h spoke coldly. "There are

beth to be of the fearful type of woman. Women of splendid physique

then she stared at Elisabeth in amazement. A sudden haggardness had overspread the elder woman's fa

ightly-"I think I am. I-don't think I care for the Army as a profession. Tim is m

as though the secret dread of something-she could not tell

as quickly as it had come, she spoke def

times of peace. Soldiers don't die in b

afraid of that?" There was a sudden

at her with

?" she said

t once, she checked herself, and again Sara was conscious of that cur

she said evasively, and deliberately tur

th Elisabeth. The latter was still just as charming as ever, but she seemed, in some inexplicable way, t

ome inner sanctum which she had hitherto guarded securely from all intrusion

ntly brushed aside by Major Durward, who declared that he declined to discuss any such disagreeable topic. But now, sensitively con

h her as were both her husband and son. Apparently the alteration in her manner, with its curiously augmented reticen

e sincerity in her tones. "I don't see why you need be in such a

on them all wi

ut, don't you see, I must live my own life-have a roof-tree of m

"Well, I can see your mind is made up.

with some really nice people-gentlefo

, in fact," supp

nod

t I should like to go near the sea-to some quite tiny country place at the back of beyond. And I think I've found just the thing. I saw an advertisement for a paying guest-of the female persuasion-so I replied to it

own its contents, while his wife, receiving an assenting nod

ut remained standing rather aloof, staring out of the

this world's goods. Our house is roomy and comfortable, though abominably furnished. But I can guarantee the climate, and there are plenty of nicer people than ourselves in the neighbourhood. It wouldn't be fitting for me to blow our ow

sounds just deligh

y shook his head

ely. "That's the most unbusine

e man writes just as he thinks-perfectly frankly and naturally. I s

to do," replied Sara. "I th

ged his should

ral saint, I may as well hold my peace. What's the fellow's address?-I'll look h

. Selywn's credentials, presently returnin

udging by his degrees and the appointments

all right, asse

his job should be practicing in a little one-horse p

of his wife's health," suggested El

u'll go, Sara. But if the experiment isn't a success

hesit

rey. "Or"-firmly-"I'm hang

eed Sara meekly.

im, later on, when he and Sara were alone together. He spoke

hought you were a good enough pal not to want to chortle over

, then," he re

some amazement. He was staring down at her with a strange, awakened

impending, she sprang up, stretching

t isn't-don't

nd and held it b

e all broken up by the surge of emotion that had gripped him. "It is t

he broke in hastily. "Don't s

peered at each other-the one desperate with lov

l

?" said Tim dully.

hat. I thought we were friends

inutes, he had grown suddenly older. His gay, smiling mouth had

for you isn't friendship. It's"-with a short, grim laugh-"something mu

pain. Looking at him, standing before her in his splendid young manhood, sh

gerly at her

take no . . . I won't take it!" he went on masterfully. "I love you!" Impet

w, at the sudden passion in his voice, something within her reco

developed, for her ever to be swept off her feet by a passion to which her own heart offered no response. Instead, it roused her

ly. "But it's no good pretending

r with moody, d

e said. "I should have wa

rai

, at Monkshaven, who'll want to marry you . . . And I shall lose you! . . . Oh, Sara! I don't ask you

irst lover's kiss that she had known-had e

cture it to order, and-listen, Tim, dear," the pain in his face making her suddenly all tenderness again-"if I

u were my wife," he answered dog

ook he

good friendship by turning it

d rather

drily. "But I won't worry you any more now, dear.

u would,"

is going to give you up very easily," he averred. Then,

dded s

ot love-le

love-l

d then the other. Then, with his head well

bravery. They were the eyes of a man who has looked for the first time into the radiant, sorrowful face of Lo

guessed that Tim's love was a thread which was destined to cross and re-cross those oth