Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-12-14

lace That had been before her lust as
she tainted came to Alice.
GU are not dark" she said, almost
lnvoluntarily.
lie turned.
hurriedly.
"A ray of moonlight touched him,
3nhtlng his warm brown hair and gol-
den mustache.
glrl said, slowly: ''and-yes, [ am sure
OF 1T, there was blood on your check:
you have none now.'
10y grasped her hand
God bless you.' he murmured faint
W whoever You are, you have done
me the greatest blessing human crea-
lure can do for another-you have
taken a load from my heart, weight
OF deadl y pain from my head. | was
rlSnt, there was anOuber, but how did
ne come? Where is he now? Tell
me again he cried, turning to her
swiftly, lit was not nv face YOU saw"
Alice looked at him steadfastly: she
was growing faint and i'll with the hor-
ror OF the scene, but she forced her
self to speak
1T was not YOU" she answered, with
a shadow of remembrance: ''it was a
dark, cruel face, with eyes that looked
like a BEAST and blood on his cheek. |
can see him plainly now"
Roy released her hand and covered
his face with his own.
wv hat can do? He is gone, and [
must bear the penalty of this crime
They know we left the Castle together:
they will find his body; thy will bring
his murder home so me, and she will
swear me to DEATH"
Alice started. and pressed her small
cold fingers on her heart.
what will they do to me?" she
whispered
''To you, child? Nothing; but your
word will go against me. There is
nothing to save me. | shall die dis
graced, dishonOred mani"
Die" cried the girl, ooh, no, no.
You must not They will not do this.
| will not speak,
''Thev will make you. Your friends
know OF your walk through the wood.
You must speak"
But" murmred Alice, white with
horror-poor child her strength
seemed last going -''but that other: |
will tell of him.
ut will be useless. Where is he?
No; he" pointing to the still, dead
form, and sinking his voice to Il
whisper-"he and | were friends. We
had quarreled. EVERYONE knew there
was q GOODNESS between us. "You saw
a struggle. He lies murdered. | shall
be cOnvictcd.'
Alice sank back againsta tree.
She had no thought, no remem-
hrance of aught but the horror of the
moment. The faint sound of clock
ct vl Il n hn
ut is getting late" she said, glanc-
ing at him, standing with sunken head.
IF [ do not 60, they will send to look
for me. Oh, what can [ do? Do not
let them make me speak. [ cannot
bear to think of it; it is so terrible.'
Roy Darrell looked at her thin pale
face, out of which her great eyes
shone like stars.
Poor child. you can do nothing
nothing' he said slowly. then, as If a
ray of light had come to him, he
checked himself, and drew a deep
breath. Eyes, there is one way" he
said, thicllly-''o way you can help
mo not for myself, but Tor my mother.
[ am innocent of this crime. | know
feel it. Q, for one instant's clear
memory. But all is dense and misty.
[ must have been stunned. for | can
recollect nothing. save that | knew
that the death blow did not come from
me- But all is dark against me. Ishall
be convicted. My mother will sink
beneath the horror and the disgrace.
You are the only witness. You can
save me If"
He grasped her slender hand.
You are free he murmured. cit
is great thing. but
Whatever it is. | will do it, Alice
said in a dream, Il am in your hands. "
"A wife can give no evidence against
her husband. Will you become my
wife,
Alice staggered back, q blush gath
cred for an instant on her cheek, then
her eyes fell on his haggard anxious
face, on the still dead body, and terror
banished all other feelings.
II will" she answered swiftly.
Roy Darrell bent and kissed the
girls hand; she had spoken the words
that gave him hope and life.
Il let me think he said hurriedly:
"we we were going 10 Nestley;
must push on there now. Can you join
me early? We will be married at the
registry office, before before this
secret may be discovered; it is hard
thing to ask of you, but life or death
hangs in the balance. VIII you De
there?"
Il will be there" repeated the girl,
"early."
Now we will part for a time he
said slowly, land GOD bless you for
your promise
Alice turned away: something urged
her to look back as she left the wood
with faltering steps.
Roy Darrell was knee(ing by the
body ofhis dead friend, and the girl
who had promised to become his wife
pushed bravely on on to face the long
drcary road with all its dark night ter
rors: on to face the wrath OF her aunt;
on 70 sit and watch until morning
came. bringing work for her slender
hand and gentle heart in its golden
sunbeam.
ITO BE CONTINUED.
Yale's Great Growth.
In point of numbers Yale Will at