Percivail,--and the whole project will
dissolve into thin air."

Her hand was on the latch. She met Ruth's harassed, unhappy gaze
with her indolent, almost insolent, smile. Suddenly the American girl
snatched up her jacket and the little fur collar she had thrown across a
chair in the corner.

"If you don't mind, I will walk part of the way home with you," she
said.

Olga opened the door and looked out. "Thank you,--I am not afraid. Pray
do not think of it,--I cannot permit you to come. It is late,--and the
moon is under the clouds. Good night,--good night, Mrs. Spofford."

CHAPTER VII.

She quickly closed the door behind her and sped off down the line of
now lightless cabins. A man stepped out of the black shadow beyond
the second cabin and stood in her path. She did not pause, but walked
swiftly, fearlessly up to him, her heart quickening under the thrill of
exultation. He was waiting for her! He had been waiting for her all the
long evening. The time had come!

The night was dark now; a strong wind had sprung up to drive the black
and storm-laden clouds across the moonlit sky. She held out her hands
with a little moan of ecstasy,--and then she was in his strong, crushing
arms, pressed fiercely to his breast.

"God, can I believe,--is it true? You have come,--you have come of your
own free will,--you are here in my arms!" His hot lips found hers in a
wild, passionate kiss. "Speak to me! Tell me it is all real,--that I am
not dreaming. Oh, Ruth, Ruth,--darling!"

Her body stiffened. A convulsive shudder raced over her, and then, for
an instant, she was limp and heavy in his embrace. Then suddenly she
threw her arms about his neck and kissed him furiously, savagely, again
and again,--breaking away at last with a low, suffocating laugh.

"Now,--now,-" she cried, "now, what are you going to do with me?"

He lifted his head with a jerk, peering into her face, slow to realize
the incredible mistake he had made. He was still under the spell of the
riotous passion that her lustful response had aroused. It had rushed
over him like a great, resistless wave,--hot, delicious, tingling. He
had been amazed, bewildered by the unbelievable craving,--furious and
uncontrolled,--which she revealed in her momentary surrender to the
elemental. The truth began to dawn upon him even before she spoke. Could
this be Ruth,--could this unbridled, voluptuous wanton who clung to him
and smothered him with kisses be the pur