The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-23
CHAPTER XIII

mpnt which bad ever come lDiO Nantl
larlc's nfe. when she stood tightly
ciaspcd IN the arms OF the man who loved
her.tbe man she loved and learned the
true story OF the terrible murder which
had taken place IN Walmsbury barracks
when she learned with shame and anguish
that it was no other than tho last Of her
proud race who had done this damnable
and cowardly deed
She was 50 ashamed That was the key
note Of her thoughis-shame, only shame
Although She had not known il, she had
been proud Of her faith and trust IA the
man she !oved-she had unconsciously
been thrilled with a delightful sense Of
pleasure In her own brave faitntniLess
which could stand mp. though all the
world should be against him and all the
evidence Of circumstances might conspire
10 do him TO death, and yet say: Il love
this mani believe in him-he is incapa
Bic Of this vile thing that is laid to HI
cbaHe.
Ycs. there had been something grand
and ns6le in her love. and she had felt
that, come what might in the after years
he conid ard would always feel that the
woman be loved had never wavered in her
trust Of hun And then, after all, to find
out that he had kept silence for her sake
and for that Of The old father who had
borne his good name as bright jewel 10
be rnarded anu treasured, that he had
kept silence IN the face of q charge which
could. and most probably would. cling 10
him all the rest Of his lie. OH II was q
bitter bitter blow 10 the girl who had been
reared IN pride and whose training had
been ono OF honor.
In those few minutes Of reflection she
went back over the years Of the past, the
years during which she had willingly
stood on ono side for her younger brother
because he was the last Of the Earles. he
cause he was q boy and she was only a
girl--a cirl-a thing Of no particular i'm
portance, and though she was an Earl
ike him, yet she was an Earle who did
not count There was no thought, Or
room for such in her mind of pity for
any temptation which might have led him
70 DO this horrible thing-she had no feel
ing Of mercy toward him. OH no, only
wild, indignant sort Of rage possessed her
that he should have stained and suiiied
the fair name he bore. and have put upon
his living relatives q shame which they
must carry with them 10 the grave.
She broke from tie clasp Of Jim's arms
and turned TO the window, where she
stood looking ont upon tue square, speech
less FROM amer, and n whirl Of hot indig
nant thoughts chasing one another
through her mind; and at last she turned
lacl. ~ where 10 was sill standing
You must tell my father" she said
decidedly. "fes-yes-I know all tina
you would say. But l an doing what
know be would like best If be knew. l.
will be an awful blow TO him, but b,
would never forgive me if he found GU
that had kept such thing from him,
Beautiful jim shook his head
Il wiz lot tell him" be said. firmly
In the FACE Of suspicion he has trusted
me. and ! will not reward him in that
way. / could not lay darling. even fol
you
But If he were 70 End out, she began
Then he never must find Il out, re
Joined jim firmly. Who is 10 tell him.
Il will, SAID Nancy
1t Will be his death blow-it will kill
him Tie has always been the best Of
fathers 10 you, and for the sake OF that
young he broke an ugly word of here
and substituted q milder one for it.
that young IDIOT would you reward him
thusY No. my child, Gm suro you viii
see that 10 cannot BEL Besides, he Is 50 old
and we arc young. We can wait little
for each ether
And no is to 60 or ia bis wickedness
UNPUBLISHED holding bis head as high Us
be Will" she exclaimed
jim could not help smiling as he re
membered Iommys pteousiy abjeet ali
on the evening before poor dear old Owen =
funeral u Walmsbury
The poor young beggsr IS not holding
his head very high. my dearest" he said
gently. Besides. TOR the sake OF YOU
father. we can leave bis punishment 10
higher WIN than ours
Is IL possible that you have any pity
Tor hint" she cried incredulously
Yes. that have. Jim answered at
Is no light matter 10 have murder on your
mind ana he doesn't look Is il he found
70 so
All yon don't know him, Nancy cried
Il do. he IS ike sn india rubber ball
whilc you hold him tight lie is crushed
and quiet, but Cnce release your grip OF
him and be Is as full OF bounce as ever
II hc knows that you know. | can well be
lieve that lie is humble and abject to you
That has been bis way cut Of difficulty ana
danger ever since he was q boy-~a baby |
but now that be is ont Of your sight. ! !
would not mind stalking my very life that
he IS flirting with one or the Leslie girls /
Rt this moment"
Not ~ this moment" said Jim. smil /
ing sadly, III you would be very accurate |
that is--but likely enough he is thinking
about il.
She flushed up angrily all over her fair |
face
Il can NOT understand YOU" she cried
lie was your iriend, your best friend
end yet you willingly let his assassin g.
free--you" -
Don't you understand that your brother
Is sacred 10 me!" jim asked, gravely /
For himself, for his sake, would not |
have held my hand one moment. and he
knows il. Right willingly and cheerfuly /
would SEQ him hanged o.morrow-nay, |
this very day"
Nancy shuddered at the dreadful word, /
but she Odd not attempt TO speak, and Jim /
went on
But he Is your brother-that made him
safe from me IN the first instance; now.
since your father has shown me such trust
ana generosity. could not betrav him ex.
eept % save my own life; even then ii
would DO hard task for me 10 be com.
PEELED 10 speak"
And then poor Nancy broke down alto.
gether. and began u weep bitterly aud
passionascly, and somehow Jim rot his
lrms round her again and drew her head
down upon his breast. soothing her as II
she were weary Child Ia distress.
There. there, my darling. don't cry
30" be rnurmGred. AT least Let US wait /
: little while and see what happens. We |
are young. and 1t may only be q little |
lime 70 walt, ana n we love one anoiner |
always, Il will soon 90 past. and II is not |
Is Il we were 70 be kept apart altogether.
"lts so hard" she sobbed; and are
yoa 10 DO under this hideous suspicion |
while he nxupts about rs the last of the
Esriesf' And Is my father 10 put all bis
trust and faith La him blindly and believe
Ia him stills OH know how good. how
you are. jim. 10 90 this; but It |
IL cruel deception Oh an old men-is is.
Indeed Am saro no GOOD will ever Como I