Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-02-14
CHAPTER XIV.
WHAT DIR. SCOTT SAW.


Dora made no reply. In spite of his
observations of innocence, she saw that
he felt himself in a trap. His pallid
face. his wild eyes, his trembling
hands-all these signs limited at re-
aliZatiOn of his helpless position. Week
bv week since that fatal conversation
he had grown thinner and more bag
gard. He was the shadow Of the
comely lover who had met her by the
Wayside when she had taken him TO
see Mr.. Edermont. He looked round
the room. as though searching for
some means of escape. One would have
thought that the officers of the law
were already at the door, and that he
was guilty. Dora knew that this was
not the case, but could not be sure
until she heard his explanation. Sud-
denly he threw up his hands with a
gesture Of despair.
Il was mad on that night" he said
in a hoaTse tone.
Dora drew back with a gasp. Was
he about to Confess TO the crime and al
lege temporary insanity by way OF eX-
cuse? A violent trembling seized all
her limbs and she was obliged to
lean against the table while waiting
for his next words.
you say Joad saw me?" he asked
looking at her. "Joad can denounce
me-"
No" she murmured, he will not
denOunce you.
But why should he show me such
mercy?" cried Allen with haggard sur
prise. He admires you; he is jealous
of me. To get rid Of me, he would will
ingly place a noonse round my neck.
That is true, Allen. But-you are
safe from him. He-he has asked me
to be his wife
All" said he, jealousy Selling her
hands. And you-you- No" He
abruptly tossed her hands away. You
could never bring yourself TO marry
that wretch, even for fifty thousand
pounds.
HE does not wish for that money,
said Dora. with a calmness which sur
prised herself; he wants me-
Like his insolence. OF course, you
told him that such thing was impos-
sible?'
Dora raised her eyes to his with a
look of pain.
How could 70" she said slowly.
He saw you at the Red House on that
night"
"Dora'-Allen again seized her
hands-'you are sacrificing yourself
to save me?"
Il can do no less, Allen. 1 love you.
All" she cried with a burst of tears,
YOU will never know how l love you.
l have suffered from your cruelty,
vour desertion, from your strange
silence. but still I love you, as have al
ways done As | cannot be your wife
and make YOU happy, l can still marry
this man and save you from the conse-
quences Of your crime
"Doral You do not believe that l
am guilty.
NO. Allen, no; still, cannot under
stand. You have refused me your con-
fdence; you say you were mad on that
night. Morally speaking, you are in
noceut, l am certain. But still, IN
moment Of anger
Il swear that l did not touch him.
cried Allen violently. Il admit that
was at the Red House on that night lie
asked me 10 come
II guessed that. Joad posted letter
to you"
YES YES. Wait" He ran into the
next room. wherein his desk was stand
ing and in two minutes h returned
with a paper. This is his letter. You
see. Edermont asked me to come at
midnight to the Red House-to enter by
the postern gate, which ne left open for
my admittance
He wished to add something to the
conversation of the week before, said
Dora. reading the letter. But, my
moor Allen. this letter rather condemns
than saves you. 1t shows conclusively
that YOU had an appointment at the
Red House at midnight. And Mr..
Fdermont was killed at one o'clock.
Il don't know at what hour he was
killed" rejoined Allen, taking back the
letter with a gloomy air. : As | told
Won. was mad on that night. l lost
all idea of time. Whether l was IN his