The Irish standard., 1897-05-15

sou could explain" She shuddered.
'Where is it?-your uncle. mean.''
He nodded towards the room across
the hall.
I'm there. The undertakers have it,
Ia CHARGE"
She drew more closely to him.
This is certainly proof of my love,
Alfred" she said, smiling family.
''There never lived a soul with greater
horror of such things than / have, and
yet l came. No, could not wait. You
know how papa is. lie never had much
faith in you anyway, and this morning
when he heard the news down town he
came right home to see me. Oh, he
acted shamefully! hate to think that
he is my father. l could not tell you
all he saiil.'
Her voice had sunk into whisper,
and she hid her pretty face OF his shout
der to keep him from seeing the tears
in her eyes.
What did he say?" asked WILDLY.
"Oh, he says they think you did it.
IIe says there is undoubted evidence
against YOU"
WILDLY was silent for a moment,
drawing his breath rapidly, and look
ing more careworn than ever. He raised
her face with trembling hand and
looked into her eyes.
"Pshaw! Didn't he know that the
coroner's jury gave verdict that
that uncle met his deathat the hands OF
some Dersor unknown p. .-
"Yes, but he said you were going to
be tried for the crime. and that it was
the general opinion you'd he found
guilty. He said your movements were
watched by the police. and that you
could not escape. stood up for You,
and we had some hot words. He for
babe me to receive you at home. and
so 1 stole away and came here. Nothing
on earth would make me think you
could do such u thing, and know you
will establish your innocence"
WILDLY made no reply. lie was
thinking, with heavy heart. Of the
dream-like impression he had recalled
of being up in the night, and Of the
blood-stain on bis hand. 10 avoid the
girls searching eyes, he turned and led
her to sofa.
"What is the mattcr?" she asked, taxi
ing his hand in both of hers when they
were seated, and anxiously stroking it.
"You seem abscnt-minded. You tire
not like yourself"
II am awfully done up, Annette" he
answered. "You don't knew what
have gone through. am acting on the
advice of Col. Warrenton! He is sure
that he can pull me out of this, though
even he says I nm in danger unless
unless the real criminal can be traced"
I'm danger? Does he think that?
Oh, Alfred, can't bear it! 1t was al
ready hard enough as it was. with
papa's objection to you on account Of
your lack of means, and now-to think
that you-you! must be tried for your
life, that you must be suspected Of
Oh, can't bear i'll" And the girl burst
into tears.
WILDLY tried to soothc her with
caresses and tender words, burt the hor.
ror Of his situation bore down on him
with such force that he found himself
utterly helpless to console her.
''You'd better not stay. darling" he
said, presently. "They ore going 10
bring the coffin into this room. aud you
must not lie here. Poor little girl! To
think that would bring such trouble
on you'll"
Miss Delmar rose and wiped her eyes.
II was a goose to break down that
way" she said. forcing u smile. II
came to try to comfort you with an
assurance Of my faith in you. and I've
acted like schoolgirl. You will write
to me, or send Col. Warrenton to see me.
as soon as you know anything definite.
won't you?"
Certainly" he replied. "Don'tworry.
It will all come out right. You shall
hear from me every day. ] will send
the colonel round this evening"
WILDLY stood at the window and
watched her graceful figure pass
through the gate and cross the street.
I'm sure l did right in not telling
her about that afterthought Of mine."
he reflected. ut would only worry her.
nnd-and perhaps It means nothing
after all. And yet My God! it will
drive me mad! Could have done it?
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