The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-11-16

depart. He stood looking ct her with blazing eyes
 "Vain and trifing womani" he burst forth ct length. "Thinkest thou to dissemble with me1 Thinkest thou to deceive the Lords elect? Know that see thy wicked endeavor-that perceive thy bold purpose-and that depise thy shallow de- ceit. The man John Quivil is here Madam, he is here, and forbid thee to conceal him longer. Ac- quaint me, command thee, where he isw He paused for . mement. Then he proceeded more gently. @ "Woman If thou hast a conscience, confess thy sin," he said. "Thou lowest 'tis pity for thou lowest an ill man. But let not thy love destroy thy conscience. Iris truth that bid thee speak Do thou thy duty and tell me this thing" "Master Dowdeswell, thou saidst but now that thou lowest me-" said Anne. "If thou hast ever loved me ask no more, but depart In peace" "1 said l loved theei' he cried impetuously. "Yea, and do love theei Even Jacob loved Rschel love thee Even the hart desireth the water brooks-even % do desire theel My sole desire in life is to content the and ii needful would shed my blood for thee. Dear Nan, wilt not return my love, and come Into my arms, con- fessiDg thy great fault of to-day and telling me where John Quivil lies hid?"
 "No, Master Dowdeswell," said Anne with dig nifty. "Take me away and immure me in the vilest of dungeons. But for my loves sake and for my conscience sake, will reveal naught."
 "But wilt not love me, NAn2"
 "Noo
 He was deeply mortified The precipitation stood upon his brow, and his heart was hot within him. | tated gesture he raised his eyes to the clock face above her head. Something in It's aspect struck him strangely.
 Half past four :" he exclaimed. "Half past four Is 1t alway half-past four here, mistress?"
 "The clock hath stopped" faltered she. 1 "Strange that it should stop even as I entered the chamber" said he Let me set it going for thee, madam"
 Nay" she said quickly. "Why set it going for nAught, since thou art going to take me to jail7 Let the clock be-"
 That would be indeed an unkind measure" said he Even if thou be taken hence should not the members Of thy household know the tilne?" 1 "l have no servants" said she. 1 "None, madam? Beware. Dost dwell alone absolutely soitary2'
 My brother Toby Is here," she admitted "But he never looks at the clock. And our old servant Is half blind and cannot read the time"
 Nevertheless, will see the clock" said Dowdes- we'll
 And putting her aside he flung the clock-case wide.
 By St. Georgel" he exclaimed, Iris even as suspected"
 Quivil stepped forth his plumed hat in one hand and pistol in the other. He bowed low and cour- teously.
 "Good-day, Master Dowdeswel," he said. "we are i'll met"
 "I arrest thee," said Dowdeswell. Sergeant l He was about to raise his voice to call upon his su ubordinates to enter and to seize Quivi But, quick as thought, Anne circumvented him. Snatch ing of his pistols from the table she dArted the flight of steps into the gallery and leaning over the railing, she cried to Dowdeswell to stay his movements
 "Holdl" she cried, imperatively. "See here, Master Dowdeswell, have thy pistol It is loaded hold 1t to my heart. Raise thy voice but sylla- ble-touch Master Quivil by but one flnger-and re!-I fire, hark ye, and am deadl And thou lowest me, Master Dowdeswell, thou lowest me ! Nay-stAnd where thou art. Stir but an inch, and l die. See the pistol is st my bosom Listen ! Make up thy mind to depart in peace and leave Jack Quivil unhArmed, while count ten. For if when come to ten, thou be still here, fre-and l die-thy little Nan, whom thou lowest, diesl" She began to count, leaning over the balustrade with the pistol pressed against her breast and her