Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-03-20

y
been named between them, but the
need for open speech was strong upon
him, and after q pause he answered
her as he would have answered another
woman.
mo; we had bit of a scene about it,
too. She took it into her head that it
was--an designation. let her think
so. 1t was better than breaking her
heart with the truth, though hate Il
row, it makes things SO uncomfort-
nble."
By this she understood that his laugh
had not been genuine.
"Then you know" she said, slowly.
ooh, yes, know"
"And yet will take no precautions"
lie shook his head with a smile.
"Not though tell you this means
death?"
81 can't help that, 1 won't be die
tated to-"
Quite suddenly she caught his hand
and kissed it.
"If you had been free-if you had
only cared, but what use is there
in saying it? shall save you, and then
then l will never see you again"
He tried to reason with her, but she
pushed him iiercely away.
"Go!" she said, passionately; do you
hear me? Go away, go now, at once!"
Sorely puzzled, he obeyed, and, as the
door closed behind him, she fell to bit
ter weeping. Thus, she buried the first
pure love she had ever known, and on
its grave prepared to sacrifice that
which was dcarer to her lawless nature
than life itself-her liberty. An hour
later Brady came up the street and
The girl went out to meet him. He tried
to pass, but she laid her hand upon his
arm.
"Come in," she said; II want word
with you"
The big man shook from head to foot;
he could not meet her steady gaze, but
he let her lead him into the house.
They were alone there, she had taken
care of that. She stood up facing him,
and her eyes never left his for a mo-
ment.
ooh, you fool" she said "you fool
What good could come of it? If loved
the man, should ! be so ready to take
you when your hands were wet with
blood? And | do not love him. There
has been no word of love between us,
no word of aught but honest friend
ship, such as those hogs you have come
from know nothing of. / would have
told you that long since, if you had
dared to ask me. tell you now, of my
own free will, and when have / ever
lied?"
She threw back her head with su-
peru gesture of defiance.
"But l tell you this, too, my life an
swers for his. Touch one hair of his
head and / pay the forfeit with my
own hand. | swear it, before God, and
you know that | shall keep my word y
He strobe step nearer and caught
her by the wrist.
"You love him!" he said, hoarsely
"You must, c. you wouldn't care"
She looked him straight in the eyes
and lied inilinchingly, as is the way oil
a woman who, habitually truthful, is
driven to falsehood for the comprising
Of great and unselfish ends.
81 do not love him, but / love YOU
and will not have you common muir.
derer. A murderer you would be, jim
Brady, for what wrong has the mar
even done to you? 1t is in your hands
Save him and | am yours, body ant
soul, to go where you go, follow you
live for you, die for you, if need be-"
She crept closer and held him, her fac,
level with his, for she was tall, and bull
on lines a goddess had not disdained.
"All that" she whispered, "for IL,
both, or-for me-your gift. 70,
taught me how to use it. You know i
your pupil did credit to her master.
will be easier than card at rs PAGES
just to rest the muzzle here"
She raised her finger significantly t.
her temple. He broke away with
groun and fell into a chair beside TIL,
table, hiding his face on his folded arms
She waited moment, and then knel
down, twining her arms about him, let
ting her head rest against his shoulder
MY life" she murmured, your love
our happiness. Surely it is worth tn
| price of innocent blood"
He took her roughly by the shoulders
There has been nothing between
you--you swear it?"
Nothing but honest friendship.
swear it, so help me God."
There was silence, for he knew sh
was speaking the truth and the knowl
edge had come too late. AS the grip OF
shoulders loosened, she leaned for
ward closer
you will save him-and me?
81 can't. / have sworn to do it. If
backed out now they--I-"
He wiped the sweat off his forehea
with the back of his hand. His eye
were glazed with passion and wide wit
great fear. She drew his face dow
to hers and kissed him on the mouth.
Tell me-" she whispered, "whcn?"
The man was mad, and she knew ii q
she knew her own power over him. II
had taken the oath of secrecy, but h
told her everything. -
The managers wife stood inthe door
way of the little house among the pin
trees. Her eyes vera, turned ava
from the track up toward the hills, bu
her thoughts were far away inthe Eng
lish home she had left to face an III
known world beyond the seas. She ha
cheerfully turned her back on the OLE