The Swindler and Other Stories

very image of that nasty person, Nat Verney, who swindled such a crowd of people a few years ago. I was present at part of his trial, and a more callous, thoroughly insolent creature I never saw.

u don't like resemble criminals, Ursula," he said, with something less than his usual co

I thought you were going to s

ll me that her hand is poisoned from that infernal trap. It may

all along that she had deliberately made light of the injury. Soon after three

lying alone before the fire. Her eyes shone l

"I kind of thought you would. I'm having a really b

," he said, sitti

ments, but after a little she softly

t sha'n't leave off hurting night or day. I dreamt I was Dante last night. But no, I won't tell you about that. It was too horrible. I've never be

thing you could do

tfulness sounded in the high voice. "You won't mis

d. "I shall never attempt to be anything

all the devils in hell were jeering at me because I had told you my romance was dead. Oh, Jac

tears in her confessi

fret about that. I knew it

r treating you like this," she whispered. "But I-I'm lon

our friendship," he said. "It

t I can give you so little, when I w

hat," he answered steadily. "You lov

she said. "Do you re

had not intende

teously, "then you t

, Cynthia?" he ask

ou know, Jack, I almost proposed to him because I felt so sure he car

h an effort. "I don't think he will ever be persuaded to act o

say that?" whi

t he did so; but he felt impelled to do it. For her peace

the black depths from which he had so recently escaped, of the man's absolutely selfless d

ingly upon Babbacombe's face. She made no comment o

gth, it was with manifest reluctance. He lingered beside her after

e again soon,

"And-Cynthia, there is jus

up at him q

to think of me in that light only. As I now see things, I do not think I shall ever be anything more to you t

. Cynthia's eyes filled with sudden tears. She

e just the best friend I have in the

the doctor's orders. Later in the day he went again, and found that the doctor was with her. He dec

sed when, at sight of him in the doorway, the do

to say that I think very seriously of the injury. I have just been persuading her to go into a private nursing-home. This is n

Babbacombe exc

I am making every effort to prevent the mischief spreading any further. Should the

to further explana

se to move her?" h

going now to ma

d see her if sh

rung. To-morrow, perhaps, if all goes well. Come round

her absolutely quiet. The doctor was very reticent, but he gathered from his m

oned to Babbacombe to meet him

ointed, and spent half an hour in sick

last, and greeted hi

has taken place. The mischief was neglected too long at the beginning. There is n

inarticulate that resolved

you to

e given her till to-morrow morning to make up her mind. After that-" He paused a moment, and loo

eaming over her, transforming her brown hair into a mass of sparkling gold. The old quick, gracious smile welcomed him as he bent over her. There

ck-dear Jack. It's too shocking to talk about. Can you believe it? I can't. I've always

ated him. It was well-nigh impossible t

ide her with pe

s. "Yes. And now put just this: 'I am sick, and wanting you. Will you

d 'Urgent,

n't come for that, he will never come at all. And

ok his leave her eyes followed him with a wistful gratitude that sent a thrill