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"What is that?" she asked

"That? Oh, nothing! An invention of mine--just to look pretty and cool in eather! It reminds me of women's caprices and fancies--always on the jump! Yes!--don't frown, Manella!--that is so! Now--let me see what Mr Sa hian to read

Manella watched hied eyelids--her heart beat quickly and uncomfortably She was fearful lest Gwent should have broken faith with her after all, and have written of her and her vain passion, to the man who already knew of it only too well She waited patiently for the "god of her idolatry" to look up At last he did so But he seeotten her presence His broere knitted in a frown, and he spoke aloud, as to hi! He knows perfectly well that the thing could not be run by a syndicate! It le possession--a State's special secret If I were as bent on sheer destructiveness as he iines me to be, I should waste no more time, but offer it to Germany

Germany would take it at once--Germany would require no persuasion to use it!--Germany would make me a millionaire twice over for the monopoly of such a force!--that is, if I wanted to be a millionaire, which I don't But Gwent's a fool--I must have scared him out of his wits, or he wouldn't write all this stuff about risks tome to marry quickly and settle down! Good God! I?--Marry and settle down? What a ta to a life's adventure! Hello, Manella!"

His eyes lighted upon her as if he had only just seen her He rose from his chair and went over to where she sat by the

"Patient girl!" he said, patting her dark head with his big sun-browned hand--"As good as gold and quieter than a o now I've read the letter and there's no answer Nothing for me to write, or for you to post!" She lifted her brilliant eyes to his--what glorious eyes they were! He would not have been man had he not been conscious of their aain in quite a paternal way

"Nothing for me to write or for you to post"--he repeated, abstractedly--"and how satisfactory that is!"

"Then you are pleased?" she said