CHINA MAIL GHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT
Unconditional Surrender
(Continued from Page 25.)
She had
"Sorry," she replied. "I am engaged for supper." been right in her supposition. His very eagerness and the con- Sdential tone in which he had made his request portrayed his in- tentions.
Cecily was not unaware of her attractions, and guiltily she felt she bad allowed this man to menopolise her rather a lot the last ten days. He had evidently misjudged her, all the same. She- began to move after the others, who had already left the room.
It is something I would like to show you, and have your opisión about. May I see you after your supper?"
"Very well" replied Cecily, as she hastened away-wonder- ing, as she went, what it could be he wanted to show her, and why be had left the showing so late in the trip.
An hour later Cecily, in a corner of the deserted smokeroom, waited for Austin Kerry to speak.
"I say, old thing." he began, this is the last night you know, and you haven't been very kind to me. Your lips really are en- ticing. Cecily of the red lips... just one... please." Eer companion seemed to have forgotten his former request, for her opinion about something. Instead, here he was with his aru possessively round her making love
"Really. Mr. Kerry," she said coolly, I don't think you are be- having at all well. You seem to have brought me here under false pretences."
"I'm sorry." Kerry was all centrition as he let her go, "Bat it is jolly hard to have a lovely little person like you all to myself under ideal conditions and all the rest of it, and not to be allowed even a parting kiss. Don't you think so?" he pleaded.
He was "Not at all. Cecily was more amused than angry. quite harmless if he only wanted kisses Nevertheless, he must be put in his place.
"You must remember I am a married woman. "And all the more attractive." was his laughing reply, "it is always the unattainable that has the most value
Cecily rose. He was beginning to be troublesome after all. "Do you mind if I say good-night? I am rather tired," she forced a yawn.
"Oh! but I have not shown you the pearls," Kerry became all eagerness again, as he gently pushed Cecily back on to the sofa.
"Look!" His hands were almost trembling as, taking a case from his breast pocket and opening it, he held up for her inspec- tion a string of faultlessly matched pearis, which must have been worth well over a thousand pounds; as far as she could judge.
"Oh! how beautiful" she exclaimed breathlessly. "You like them, then?" Kerry watched her narrowly. "Why! they're wonderful-beautiful but . have cost you a large sum of money?”
they must
"On the contrary, no- I picked them up in Colombo for a mere song. I don't know much about pearls, but they looked as if they might be fairly good, so I bought them; after beating the old- chappie down to half the price he was asking. They are a present for the mater. I want to take her something decent when I return to the old country, and it was while I was fossicking through an old.
Doubtless junk shop in the native bazaar I came upon these. stolen property. You really think she will like them?"
-I think she should be delighted with such a magnificent gift.” Cecily was holding the pearis all this while-admiring them - Suddenly, as if the thought had just come to him, Kerry said:
Try them on." He took them from Cecily's hand and clasped them round her neck as he spoke. The feel of their cool silkiness sent a thrill of pleasure through her.
"They suit you to perfection." he remarked admiringly, at the same time running his hand down her throat over the pearls. She -recoiled at his touch, it was almost as if some evil had passed
through her. She quickly dispelled the feeling.
"Would you like to wear them for a while? I don't mind in the least, if it would give you; any pleasure. You can return them in the morning," he continued
The pearls seemed to fascinate Cecily. After all, why not? she thought. She looked up to find Kerry's eyes fixed curiously and intently upon her. It seemed almost as if he were trying to will her into keeping them on. His look quickly changed, however, and he again smiled his usual debonair smile as he added:
"Do keep them on, I know you would like to." "But, I should be frightened of something happening to them "perhaps I had better not," Cecily protested weakly; waver- ing between desire to do as he wished and fear for the safety of the pearls.
"Nothing could happen to them. They would be just as safe with you as they are with me. No one on the ship knows anything about them. but, of course, if you would rather not." His tone was rather hurt.
Cecily seemed to feel that compelling look fixed on her again, and found herself answering almost mechanically.
"I think I should rather like to have them. It would be fun to I can return them in the morning.” wear such lovely pearls..
"Excellent! But if you don't happen to see me first thing, keep them awhile. I may have to dash off as soon as we berth, on business, to see a woman leaving for Melbourne. If so, I will see. you later on the wharf"
(Continued on Page 30)
Remember what the Fairy said, Take her advice supreme:—
Do brush your teeth-
morn,
"When pearly teeth.. Serving-men,
OLIT
Are busy as can be,
Some tiny little par-ti-cles
Will ding to them, you
And if these little par-ti-cles
Continuic there to say, They man-u-fact-ure Adid
In a most pc-cu-liar way!
And use
This Acid sharp, perhaps
you know,
Is bad for pearly.reath.
A dny bit too much of ir
May harm them past belief! And that is why we brush our
teeth
So well, three times a day- To catch these small food
par-ti-cles
And drive them far away."
SQUIBB DENTAL
noon
and night.
CREAM
Agents:-ED. A. KELLER & CO., LTD.