Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-07-27


verdict of willful murder against some
person or persons unknown is returned
| Do you not see that until the case is Sc.
at rest one way or the other. you are not,
and never can be, free from suspicion? Al
any time it Is liable to rise up against you.
not mere suspicion, but hideous dan
ger which may Overwhelm you'll Do you
think, Mr. Beresford that | could or
would let my young daughter go head
long into such q danger as that? No, sir.
a thousand times, no; and let me tell You
that although ! may have antiquatcd
ideas of love and honor. think you show
your wish to love and honor her very
poorly indeed by even dreaming-dream
ing Of subjecting her to even remote
chance Of such misfortune"
Beautiful Jim looked as he felt. more
staggered than ever; and. worst Of all. he
felt that from his point Of view the old
man was right.
"You are right. SIR" he said IL
knowing my own innocence-forgot that
all the world did not know it also Do
you mind telling me one thing-suppose
that this mystery is ever cleared up. and
Miss Earle is still willing to be my wife.
will you give your consent them?
Certainly will. the old man replied
herY" Jim pleaded
II will not forbid you. Mr. Beresford
No, on the contrary. | will show you
willingly that trust you as an honorable
gentleman. by simply asking you not to
attempt to marry her without my permis
sion. and not to compromise her by being
seen about with her II she likes to cor
respond with you. well end good II you
care to come here now and again, when
you are in town. will not prevent it or
forbid it dare say. under the circum
stances. this is a somewhat unusual way
Of proceeding, but ! have always given
my daughter the most absolute trust and
she is worthy of it III every way be
lieve you to bo innocent and believe you
to be honorable. for ! see you had not
thought of the danger to which such
marriage would expose her-so l will
trust you also"
"Mr Earle" said Jim. holding out his
hand. this has been an awful blow to
me-one | never expected. But you have
spoken to me fairly and we'll. and thank
you You may depend that will never
betray your trust Miss Earle shall be rs
safe from any persuasions of mine IS If !
were Malay Indian and could not speak
q word of English"
1T may all work out smooth enough"
the old man said. kindly.
But Jim shook his head Il have very
little hope of it. sir. he answered sadly
II have very little hope Of it: but thank
you all the same for the consolation"
After Q moment 0f silence Mr. Earle
spoke again
My daughter must be told" he said.
uneasily ''She Is so sensible, so clear
headed. that | feel sure she will see per
esctly the advisability Of the objection. or
rather stumbling block. which have been
compelled to raise But u will be sad
blow to her. fear. rs'or child. and-well
really. Beresford. on the whole think the
news had better come from you.
1T will be hard task for me" said
Jim.
"a don't doubt it," returned the old
man, but the question is-from which
Of us will she take it the best4 She
will see then. even If she does not see 1t
already. that you are convinced Of the
truth Of what urge; and-yes. think it
had better come from you, Beresford. l
do. indeed will 60 out and lunch at
my club and leave you clear field. SO that
you may tell her and get it over. Yes.
that will be the best, am sure You see.
my dear fellow. trust to your honor ab
solutely."
Before Jim could say word against this
plan the old gentleman had shaken his
hand again, and had slipped out of the
room So he had no choice but to await
the meeting with Nancy and the neces
sary disclosures which 1t would entSil
with the best grace that he could.
Not that he waited very long; he heard
A.. l~II kok ,l 81
the house. and then. as Nancy did not
servant who came in answer to his sum
mons if he would ask Miss Earle to be
good enough to see him. And In less than
two minutes she came-with her doves
eyes all alight with love and the sweetest
and brightest smile upon her lips-the
lips that were his and yet not his.
"Well?" she said. gayly. as she crossed
tho room to his side.
Beautiful Jim took her outstretched
hand in his.
MY dearest. am afraid have the
most sorry news FOR you." he said.
humbly.
Sorry newsf" sharply. "Then. where
Is my fatherf"
"Hc has left me to tell you-gone to
his club"
ITO tell me-whatH'
For moment Jim could hardly speak.
ITO tell you that our engagement is
impossible; for the present. at least" he
answered, with an effort.
Father said thatY But why? What
do you mean. Jim-that he refuses?"
"At present"
"At present-ohl do tell me the worst
at once. What do you mean by ut pres
ent?'
my dearest. your father is quite right.
though it is hard upon us. said Jim.
gently, "IIe does not forget that have
been arrested on suspicion of murder.
and that while the affair remains mys
tory. am not free from further suspi
cion."
But he does not believe it. SURELY"
she cried. with blazing eyes and lips
tightly compressed.
7"No. he does not believe it, thank God.
Jim replied quickly
but II he does not believe 1t. why let
It affect us?" she exclaimed. II Fave
never known nv father Influenced by the