Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-08-04


For a few moments she stood. looking
blindly about her, Then suddenly the
confusion of objects, waving dimly TO aad
fro in what seemed blood stained mist,
cleared, AID the undGfaed forms groupsd
themselves iKtO distinct shapes. AT the
farther Gnd of the room, discussing the
matter with Quaker Joe, who had manag-
ed to eluda the vigilancs of his better half
and slip into the room, were the iury. A
few yards nearer to her were the other
two men, gazing at her with startled
eyes.
There WAS something about the whole
scene that tOld her it was ali over. To
the end of her life she could have describ-
ed the strange pale faces of the two near
her-every pose Of the judges-every de-
toll of the room, disOrd red by hats and
coats lying about it, and the seats disar-
rsnged-even the ludicrous appearance of
Quaker Joe, who in his excitement had
rubbed up his s!ubby hair till it stood on
an END like hedgehOg'3 bristles.
She took stsp forward into the room,
all turning to look at her She opened
her lips but she could Only utter sharp,
low cry, that seemed 20 fresz9 the blood
of every man in the loom. They were
men who had faced death in many shapes;
but there was not one present who would
not rather have faced it once more in It's
most dread form than have such cry
again.
''Lst mo speak TO him." she whispered
at last, in husky voice; but in the huah
that bad followed that cry the whisper
reached every man in the room.
With one accord they moved towards
the door, treadiAg softly pSst her, 10;
once glsnciRg aside at he, az she stood
there, like some white ghost, in their
midst, The door closed gently behind
them, and she was alone with Rsdfern
Ohuchill.
He-.hough still stirred to his soul'a
depths by that cry, the meaning Of
which he vaguely understOOd-recovered
himself first, and stepped slowly towards
her.
"This is ros a Il, place for you" he
said gently. ''Why did you Gomez"
Why did I come?' she echoed, her
white face crimsOuing with passion.
That's a hard question to ask a woman.
Yet why should not tel you? What
does it matter what any woman says at
such q moment as this? You may despiee
me-perhaps tomorrow l shall despise,
loathe myself-but l can't help il! Are
you not going to die, snd did not drive
You away from ne only yesterday with
such uukind, wicked words? On, will you
ever forgive MP"
A moment later aEd Churchill's arms
were about her neck.
''Y1u love me-" he exclaimed-'me?
I caa't believe H. thought you hated
me, ald all this time loved you with
every breath dreww
Then he raised her pale fsce with gen.
tie but imperiOus forca and kissed it IN
til it was crimson. OILY for one moment
did she yield 10 bis supreme passion Of
thsir love.
She Withdrew herself hastily from his
arms; the shadow Of lis terrible fate clos
ed down upon the glory Of their suddenly
acquired happiaesg.
"Oh, Why aid you do it?" she cried
sharply. "Oh, could auy enemy be worth
such sin? Oh, surely you shOuld have
pardoned him twenty times rather than
have done so base a thing"
'T-have done so base g thing?" He
TOO had stepped backward few PAGES,
and he looked at her, pain, bewilderme0t
aud doubt expressed in his eyes. Il?
Wby"-
He could say no more, and she came a
step forward.
what did you mean?" che asked,
slowly, in voice that was strangely
calm afler the passion OF the moment be-
fore did you mean that you did not do
thal?n
81 do it?" his voice trembled with indig-
nation, in spite Of bis effort at self control.
"Why"-be was going 10 say, you know
did notw bat changed his mind flush,
darling! Don't les us speak OF that!' be
began. Bat she checked him, coming
close 10 him and laying her hand upon his
sru0.
you did not dc it? So you know
&c aine, what is the use Of speaking of
i,?" he exclaimed, feeling all the sharp
mess of his pain. SIS it not enough that l
sm willing"-
"Don't-don'5 tel me an untruth! You
know who it iel Tell me!'
He did not answer. She looked up into
his face for a few moments, but his eyes
did not meet hers Presently her hand fell
from his arm, and abe moved away, then
s.ood still her face turned towards the
window.
you thougbt that 1 did it," she said
slowly, in faint tone.
Elaine, dear" be said, striding swiftly
to her side-'oh, my lovep He was
dazad by the joy Of the revelation that hal
come from her lips. Rem0rse for his
shameful doubts had as yet no place in his
heart. II cCull feel only the wild delight
of knowing tlst she was innocent.
"Elaine" he repeated.
But she was summed by the new shock,
and felt powerle;s to move or speak.
Tasre was a s1ft knocking at the door,
and Churchill understood the signal. He
locked at her, AID saw how the blood was
fading from her face and lips. She had
believed in bis guilt. To have found him
innocent wOuld have filed her heart with
ioy: but 20 find him innocent, but believ'
ing in her guilt, was the last stroke she
could bear. IA bis arms closed round
her, she sank senseless upon his breast.
He kissed her once-twice-with lips as
gray as her own, then leyed her gently
down aud hurried to the door.
He found Newenham standing outside,
havixg come to call him. The committee
men felt that it was time to renstate
Justice il it's rightful position, yet from q
certain delicacy they sent the message
which was 10 end that interview by his
friend They thought it would be easier
for him and her to hear.
II know" said Churchill, nos waiting
for Neweubam to speak. "Go in and see
70 her. I would rather For her sake,
and mine, too. DON'T you see? l couldn't
bear that YOU His voice faltered, and a
treror shook him. i WAS the first sign