Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-09-17
throbbing in her breast.
tRoSaliei" If reueated

snort gray Jacket ana loose IfOuSerS, d
brown sportsnans shirt and dark
scarlet scarf; heavy top boots and wide
brimmed brown felt hat completed his
attire. and he bore in his right hand a
long alpenstock. while on his left shoul-
der was siung light rifle. There were
those same fearless dark eyes, the olive
cheeks the dropping mustache, the firm,
we'll set chin, the tall, strong form, She
almost leaped to her feet: then, feeling
a sudden weakness. sat down again.
Il dreamed last night that you would
be here in this dear place, and have
come all the way over the mountain to
find you. Rosalie." He said this slowly,
with a vibration in his voice that gave
It great power.
'You ought not to have come," she
responded. meeting his eyes with an ap-
peal in her own, and throwing some
thing almost of bitterness into her tone
4 did not want to see you.
Why Rosalie. whyY he exclaimed,
sitting down near her; what have
done to offend you? Tell me, tell meP'
He was already growing pale.
She sprang to her feet; she was weak
no longer. her eyes flashed.
"You are murderer. an assassin, and
dare to ask me what you have done!
You who struck Colonel Talbot in the
night when he was
Miss Chenierl' he exclaimed. rising
as he spoke; what do you mean?"
She looked steadily, passionately at
him. Presently she cried:
What do mean2 You know what
meant Oh. Mr.. Ellis, could not have be-
lieved you so wickedr'
'Rosalie-Miss Chenier-you are GER
tainly Iaboring under some horrible
mistake" he said in hoarse voice and
involuntarily taking step nearer her.
Won't you explain
Let your own conscience, if you have
one"-
Miss Chenier. l do not know what
you mean," he emphatically cried.
What Imeanl what mean" she dis
dainfully repeated.
Can II be possible" he slowly ex-
claimed, as if something were dawning
upon his mind, "can it be possible that
you are accusing me of doing that injury
to Colonel Talbot from wkich he is still
30 mysteriously suffering? Good heavens,
Rosalie! he added after few moments
of silence, during which time bis eyes
did not turn from her face, how terri
| bly, you have wronged mel!
Her eyes searched his with an inten-
sity that nothing but utter innocence
could have withstood, 1t would seem.
and yet he bore it without waver.
He seemed. indeed, to meet it and well
come it.
Il would rather you would kill me
outright than for you to insinuate 80
awful charge" he went on, feeling the
poverty of language in so great need.
His voice began to gather up its fascina-
ting sweetness and fexibility.
Rosalie faltered and trembled as the
magnetism Of his unshrinking face over
came her She sank down upon the
stone pale and exhausted,
He was by her side in a moment
Explain this mystery, this dark, hor-
rible insult to my honor, Rosalie" he
pleaded, speaking rapidly and passion
ately How could you get such thing
into your mind? Who has been poison
ing you against me by limiting such a
malicious and unfounded accusationY
mo one" she said; mo one. IL
thought you did it"
But how could you" he impatiently
cried, II can't see how you could.
Whatever started you to thinking it?"
1--WE saw you following US" she said
scarcely above whisper.
Following you-us-whom do you
meany
Colonel Talbot and me-" she an
swered
Following you where?"
That night in the street.-the night
he was hurt"
Following you the night he was
hurtl Why, Rosalie, ! was not in Sa-
vannah that night did not know he
was hurt till saw the papers next day.
was at Jessup that night"
There was such a ring of surprised
and injured innocence-such reproach
in his voice-that she felt her heart
shrink and hutter,
IF you are innocent-if have
wronged you - forgive mer she ex-
claimed. She rose as she spoke, and for
q moment stood before him in falter-
Ing attitude. at may all be cleared up
some time. cannot see you any more
until it is. hope you are innocent.
but, but-I-I believe you are guilty"
He sprang up The pallor in his face
was awful His eyes shot clear flames.
His cheeks and forehead seemed to
shrivel
ut is lie! damned internal lie!
will not bear It'll" His lips were flecked
with froth. "And this from you. Rosa
liel" he cried; from you whom | love
more than all the worldi My God, can
you believe this3 If all the world were
marshaled against me to believe lie.
would turn to you for
"hushl" she said, almost sternly; and
yet the regretful gentleness broke through
her voice. Hush! If you are innocent
time will prove it. Go back to Savannah