Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-28


BerrsJord'
Miss Meefins. said jim Il have done
you wrong You're a better woman
than thought you.
The bar maid breathed a sigh of relief
I'm glad you think SO, Mr. Beresford
I've been nearly out of my mind the last
few DAYS for it's one thing to have a
handsome young fellow making love to
you ard it's quite another 10 have muir
der Oh your mind I've never been mixed
up in anything Of the sort before. and its
what I've 10 liking for can tell you.
Nor l. returned Jim. with sympathy
Then, Mr.. Beresford. said Miss Meek
ing, as he moved to the table where he
had laid his Lat and stick. Il suppose you
are not going to tell on this poor ladY'
Miss Meefling." said Jim. promptly,
$50 far as the poor lad is concerned,
have neither feeling nor pity. would
willingly see him hanged to morrow, for
think he richly deserves it. 1t is very
well for you to excuse him by saving that
he did not know what he was doing. that
he was not himself when he did 1t. and
for him to say he was in blind passion
and never meant it On your part it's q
mistake but ou mis- IT'S lie. If had
suspected on the day OF the inquest v hat
know now, nothing on earth. not even
the considerations which will keep me
silent now, would have induced me not to
disclose the subject of that conversation
between Capt. Owen and myself. which
was a full account of his interview with
you. ana his annoyance at Mr. Earles
proceedings. As 1t happened he left the
ring with me, and have It nov SC that
have but to speak the word to put the
rope about the young scouudrels neck.
As tell you. if it were only for him |
would not hesitate, on the contrary, /
should do everything 10 help the law.
But when | declined to speak, it was be
cause did not believe he could have hal
anything to do with the matter, and it
was only last night that discovered the
truth. fe;. although he persists that he
was in what he calls . oiind passion, and
did not know what he was about, ca
last night he tried 10 my face to make me
believe that he thought me guilty Of this
horrible crime, and it was only by the
merest chance that | happened to be able
TO unmask him"
Then why do you spare him." asked
the bar maid, in a tone of genuine wonder
Because there are others to think Of
His father is a very old man infirm, and
in bad health. Such blow would be his
would be crushed forever by shame so
horrible, he has = sister VINO is IN angel,
who has always been taught to stand
aside because lie is the boy, the heir the
last of the name. II is for the sake Of
these and these alone, that ! mean TO
keep silent, though | know that ought
to speak
Its good of you, said the bar maid.
admiringly. for it will cost you . good
deal, I've no doubt I'm afraid. Mr. Beres-
ford, that you'll find a good many people
who'll be ready and willing to throw it at
you-the murder, | mean. Eut hope
you and the young lady will be happy
Oh, yes, guessed at once. hope sleu
never know it. poor thing. I'm sure
Miss Meeking" said Jim. you have
my best wishes tor the future. will
write to you by and by. when matters are
little more settled, and if send you =
little present in return for your straight
forwardness to me this afternoon, ! hope
you won't refuse ii
Indeed won't, Mr. Beresford," she
said. quickly
And If ever there is anyth hing can do
for you. be sure shall be ready to do it"
Jim went on, and then he held out his
hand. and she laid hers in it. And
needn't say, need |. that Iu very sorry
misjudged you at frstr'
Not word. said the bar maid, heart
lily. And then they shook hands again,
and they parted How relieved be was il
would be hard to tell. OF course he knew
that he ought, in strict justice, to 20 and
tell the colonel everything, and amply
leave Tommy to his well deserved fate
But he had taken the wrong upon his own
conscience for her-for her and the old
man who was SO proud of bis good old
name and his own unstained honor
For the old mans sakes All! and not
cut OF much consideration for him, for
WAs it not al for the sake of the one who