Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-05-10

~ believe. she said, slowly. that you
know who committed that murder
Beautiful Jim returned her searching
gaze with one as steady and rs true. but
he kept silent.
Apparently Nancy took it as an answer.
for she made no attempt to press the ques-
tion-for q question it was. though not
put in the form of one-further. instead.
she put another, and one much moro diff
cult for Jim to answer
Does Stuart know also?"
The words rang out clear and sharp, as
such words might fall from the lips of an
accusing angel
Jim said nothing. and she repeated the
question imperiously. Then he spoke.
Nancy. my dear. if you love me and
trust me, ask me no more about this mis-
cradle affair. he said imploringly If
keep silence when l know. will not you.
who trusted me when appearances were
dead against me, trust me still?'
1T is not that do not trust you i'm
plicitly. utterly. absolutely" she said,
gently; but if you know anything and
are shielding guilty person. let me beg
of you. for your own sake. for mine. to
hide nothing Jim. my dear. do you real
ize that you are not safe yourself so long
as this crime remains UNPUBLISHED? At
any moment matters might take a fresh
turn against you and you might be
hanged"
Jim shook his head and smiled a. her
fears
NO, could always speak"
And you wouldf' eagerly
I'm that caSe-yeS
Then let me beg and pray of you to
speak now. she cried earnestly Jim.
believe me-, II cap do no good to shield the
guilty Ii is kind of you but in such a
case silence. even from the kindest mo-
tives. becomes q crime Jim. dear. It is
the first thing | have asked of you.
The sadness in Beautiful Jim's honest
eyes turned to dist IS
MY dear, he said you don't know
how hard it is for me to refuse Won any
thing II had done it myself would
60 and give myself up at once, but as it
is, if speak the blow will fall the heavi-
est upon those who are perfectly limo
cent, who do not even guess that such q
shadow has or ever could come near
them"
They would probably be the first to
say, Let justice be done!'" she cried.
Jim looked at her keenly He saw that
she had no suspicion of the truth, that it
never entered her mind that it might be
over her that this black and shameful
shadow hungl He knew that she had
been from her cradle taught to look upon
honor as before ali that the traditions of
her house contained many and many an
example OF fair and gracious women who
had hidden the men they loved go forth
to battle. and. cost them what it might,
had never ninched in the hour of parting;
who. even though the ono life dearest of
all on the earth to them had been laid
down, had yet, heart broken as they were,
gloried in their own fortitude. He saw
that she was of the SAME race, this girl he
loved so dearly.
Surprising that such a test came to
yourselff" he asked
IF it was my own brother l would de-
liver him up to justicel" she cried proudly
And your father?'
MY fatheri All! might hesitate for
him. she admitted, though. mind. he
would moi hesitate himself"
That decides me-" said Jim, heaving O
great sigh of relief This man has "a
parent too, who is old and without re.
proach- That is why have stained my
self with crime. Nancy; for crime it is,
though ! hope it will not 60 hard with me
hereafter. being committed through
mercy
The girl was conquered.
jim. you have u better heart ttan
| You are more merciful BY far Twill Ia:
back my request. but only on one col'di
| ton"
(Which isi'' he asked
THAT II personal danger from this :
lencc should ever threaten you. you W
speak out"
Il promise you that"
And you are sure it Is safc?"-anxi
ously
From tho worst-yesl I shall be S,
vcrely blamed. and probably severely PM
ished. II 1t ever comes to light that la,
hidden my knowledge, when my allesi,;n.
to the queen commands me to speak, b.
there will always be sympathy for me
think" s-r
And you actually have the proof
There IL no mistake about THAR" she re
| sisted
Il hold the proof myself, 4" he answered.
and shall do 30 As long as live. or until
the truth comes to light"
She professed herself satisfed-gently
| said that she would have been better
pleased II no such mystery had been hing
ing over him; nor could he In any way
blame her for that
'.You will SEQ my father when he comes
inf' she asked HE il 1t his club now
but he will be In to lunch"
''Ohl yes. would like to see him and
get 1t al settled as quickly as possible. =
Jim answered. with alacrity Poor fellow.
the prospect Of seeing her father was q
much more congenial topic Of conversation
than the details Of poor Owens cruel muir
der and the likelihood Of his bringing the
murderer-yeung Tommy. be it remem
bered-to justice.
II don't think he can object to me. be
said, cheerfully. my family and income
are Ill right. and my colonel will give me
good character II he needs it I'm glad,
my darling, and more than ever now. that
always went in for good character It's
tie sometimes. when you can't do things
that you see other fellows doing, and be
apparently none the worse for; but going
straight pays In the long run Nothing
like II. Not. all the same. that ever
| calculated on any end at all Idont want
to blow my own trumpet in the least. but
I've gone straight simply because l hate
everything thstis crooked"
And ! love you. said Nancy carlo.
softly.