Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-03
CHAPTER Xxx
TINY AuuEur

On the following morning Mary felt
much calmer and was able 10 take u
more hopeful view OF the facts which
overnight had seemed so black and 80
threatening.
Her faith in her lover had strength.
ened, and although she could not see
her way definitely 90 meet the charges,
her confidence in Toms ability to do
that was increased
II the police were, as Reuben Cor.
ringe had said, really beginning Ia
suspect Tom, he must come back and
give the lie to the accusation. At the
same time IL was possible for innocent
men to need time in which to prove their
innocence; and IL was therefore ncccs.
sary that she should see Tom without
Mt the same time doing anything that
would be likely TO hasten any steps
being taken against him.
She looked out, therefore, Mt the
Walkden Bridge station, as well ns at
Presburn, where she had TO change
carriages, TO see that she was not fol-
lowed; and this act OF itself made her
somewhat nervous and Hurried.
At Manchester, being quite unused
to the rush and crowd Of big station.
the girl felt bewildered, and gazcd
about her In every direction, trying to
catch glimpse of her lover.
Her heart gave n great leap as she
caught sight of him. They claspcd
hands and stood still in silence for
fully minute; and the girls heart
was sad TO see the change which even
thraa DIVA ho1 ,,.r,u,yht Il, 1,t,, n,
looked haggard, and worn, and wor-
ried; while there was n detected, nnx-
ious look Of suffering in his face that
filed her with infinite pain.
At first she longed to lot her pity and
sympathy find vent in words; but then
her woman's wit checked her and she
forced all the expression of alarm and
concern out of her face and smiled.
81 am so glad TO see you, Tom" she
said. 80 glad, dear, was feeling
quite lost in this great crowd. But
now feel safe and contented when my
hand rests again on your arm"
Then she pressed closely to his side.
"Let usget out of this lot Of pushing
folks and go where we can be by our
selves and have one of our long tallts;'
and thus she drew him out OF the
crowd and away from the station.
II don't know where TO go to, lass, -
he said, after they had gone some dis.
lance.
II have an idea" she answered. "Let
us get on the tram and go to the
Botanical gardens"
On the tramcar she talked and
laughed about what they saw in the
streets as they passed, so that the man
might overcome the reserve and con,
fusion which she could see were dis
turbing him; and when they reached
the gardens the change in his manner
told her that he was somewhat more al
ease.
They walked arm in arm through
some of the walks In the place, until
they came TO a seat in quiet side.
walk, and there they sat down. Then
her forced courage gave way little
and she did not know how 10 begin.
But the man had a question which lac
had been longing to ask her from the
moment of their meeting; and with a
return of the anxious worried look to
his face, he turned his head this way
1870 NheNf 10 a. W manu- huIt luul liltN
were not overheard, and said in a low
nervous voice:
us It true, Nary"
SIS what trueP"
What l read in the newspapers
yesterday about - about Mr. Coode-
that he was-that he was killed In the
mill?"
The question let n bright light OF
happy relief into the girls heart and
filled her with an absolute reinsurance
of her confidence In him.
Eyes, 1t is true; terribly true, dear.
When did you see itP"
Yesterday morning, Just after I had
posted my letter TO you. Who did 1t?
Is II known YETI"
mo- nobody knows yeti"
when did IL happen9 Is anyone
suspected2" he asked In quick,
hurried voice.
"Some time on Friday night IL hap
pened. II is not quite certain when.
He was seen alive somewhere about
eight o'clock on Friday evening; and
when Jake Farnworth went TO the mill
TO fettle up something In the engine
shed, he found him dead" She did not
answer his second question. but he re-
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