Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-08-26

more decisive IN spSoCh oH~ ~
Each was pretty in her own way.
Rachel, in my eyes, charming beyond
the power of worlds TO tell, though she
had lost her former viyacity-o there
was a vlgor about Hattie which was
entirely lacking in her friend. She had
emancipated herself at an age when
most girls are still in the nursery.
While Rachel was being petted aud
carefully guarded from cold or any
other evil, Hattie was padding ABOUT
the bay. laying up for herself store OF
strength and Independence whlch could
be drawn upon in later days.
She needed it all now, poor girl.
When she was told Of the discovery OF
the stick in the field where the murder
had been committed, OF its destruction
afterwards in the shed by night, ana OF
Georges determination concerning IT,
she was Mortified.
land we were there, Rachel" she
said. George and l were there that
very nightly the gate OF the held. l
have frightened you, my dear.
But Rachel faltered out: ~ was In
the field too"
what, on that night" cried Hattie.
"But not with George? You we're not
with George?"
"No. no, il was later than that.
had been 10 the glen to see al OLD wo-
man there. expected father to come
for me, bat there was some MISTAKE
Sarah gave GIN wrong mesSage-and
| waited and waited, and at last started
TO walk home alone. l took the snort
cut by the fields, and on the way
She hesitated, and then added: II
wanted TO say all this in the Court-at
the inouest-but l couldn't. 1t won't
help George, or l should have 1ounu
strength, bat il is the truth"
'Well, dear" said Hattie, inpatient
ly, ION the way?'
81 met Henry-Henry Wilmott.
Hattie put her hands TO her forehead.
LET me think" she said distracted
". Let mo remember it all-eVery
word of it. Who know what 1t may
lead to-
Go on now, dear. Please go on
quickly"
1--WE stopped for minute or two to
speak; he wanted to come back with
me, but couldn't let him; then he
went his way and l went mine. Oh,
Hattie, if l only had let him this thing
would never have been done, soo6ed
Rachel. at must have happened after
that-perhaps just after-or else on his
way back. You know he was always
fond of walking about on a stormy
night"
what time was it?" asked Hattie.
"What time did you meet him? THINK,
Rachel. Tell me exactly"
Il don't quite know. 1t was after
nine o'clock certainly"
After a pause Hattie said: Now let
me tell you my story. II we put the
two together perhaps we can make
something out OF them. was at the
Vicarage that evening, and was coming
home-hurrying because the sky was
black with clouds and the moon never
STAYED a minute when ii did peep out
and on the way who should | meet but
George. Well" said Hattie, with a
blush, perhaps he might have known
was coming; men get 10
know so much, don't they,
dear? But he certasly did not expect
20 see me quite so early. When l
reahed the gate OF the field he was
standing lust Inside, carving his initials
and mine upon il with his knife. You
nav see them there still, among all the
others, II you 90 TO look. We stood
there talking for little time-a very
little time; then be walked through the
town with me 10 this house"
Had he a stick with him?" asked
Rachel.
~ don't know. He may have had.
I have often tried to think. but can't,
aud have never liked 10 ak hun"
because be must have put 10 down
10 carve the letters, and he would prob
ably have forgotten II. Then somebody
some tramp-might have found itand
used IL. That would explain IL all.
But Hattie's mind was occupied with
Georges subsequent movements.
1T was about half-paSt nine when we
parted at the door," sho said. AFTER
that he walked TO the end OF the quay
to see the waves breaking over IL. Then
he went stralgh, home. He told me
that himself. But we have no wilt
nesses. He met nobody on the way
not soul he can remember-it was
such wild and terrible night
Still we have go: to this.
Henry Wllmott was alive be-
tween nine and ten, and from nine until
bGlf-Dast George was with me. He was
not near the field afterwards. 1t would
be ridiculous to suppose he went back.
What should he have gone back for?
- nocitiya iSn'E itDN
But we don't want proof" said
Rachel; would it be proof for others,
who don't care TO bs convinced? Surely,
you would not have hin go to the police
as he talks of DOING"
"Oh, no, no, ro-not for anything"
cried Hattie, unwilling to put her proof
to such a crucial test as that. He
must not say a word. He is doing no.
BODY any harm by being silent; be
would do a world OF harm 0y speaking.
Why should he disturb these dreadful
bygones? He talked OF going out to
Canada, and making a new home out
there for Won all-perhaps for me, too,
in time, l say, let him go at once"
But Rachel suggested a difficulty.
Sarah had told her it was said in the
town that George was watched by the
police, and that II he attempted to run
away he would be Immediately arrested.
This may have been and no doubt was,
mere idle gossip, but for the two girls
it was very serious business. II set
them scheming and plotting how TO get
George safely away, and many were the
wild projects which they gravely dis
CuSSed.
Hattie, being q born sailor, put her
trust in the sea. IL was no friend TO
the police, she said, for it permitted no
sneaking and spying, and all could go
on Il where they would. She had once
seen constable on board boat-most
ridiculous he looked, to-and the man
was disgracetully i'll before he got ut
--..- L...l OH. sat Ea.r--,