The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-03-03

81 nave had an awful time Of H." he
said. drawing her into his arms. 81
suppose | show IL. But why did you
come here? Why didn't you waltz |
was coming round us soon as possible
II couldn't wait. dear" she said. II
simply should have gone mad. knew
you 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
In charge"
She drew more closely 20 him.
This is certainly a proof of my love.
Alfred" she said. smiling family.
There never lived a soul with a greater
horror of such things than | have, and
vet ] came. No, | could not wait. You
know how papa is. He 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. | could not tell YOU
all he said"
Her voice had sunk iuto a hisper,
and she hid her pretty face ON his shout
der to keep him from seeing the tears
la her eyes.
What did he say" asked WILDLY.
"Oh, he says they think you did il.
He says there is u%ndoubted evidence
against you.'
WILDLY was silent for n moment,
drawing his breath rapidly. and look.
ing more careworn than ever. lie raised
her face with "a trembling hand and
looked into her eyes.
"Pshaw! Didn't he know that the
ceroner's jury gave a verdict that
that uncle met his death mt the hands of
some person unknown?"
Yes. but he said you were going 10
be tried for the crime. and that il was
the general opinion you'd be found
guilty. lie said your movements were
watched by the police. and hat you
could not escape, | stood up for you.
and we had some hot words. lie for
babe me TO receive you at home, and
so stole away and came here. Nothing
on earth would make me think You
could do such "A thing, and | know you
will establish your innocence"
WILDLY made no reply. He was
thinking, with "A heavy heart. of the
dream-like impression he had recalled
of being up in the night. and of the
blood-stain on his hand. To avoid the
girls searching eyes. he turned and led
her to n sofa.
hnf - ths ,,.t4-. ~ II - - -
ing his hand in both of hers when they
were seated. and a~nxiously stroking il.
You seem absent-minded. You ARE
not like Yourself"
Il am awfully done up. Annette he
answered. you don't know 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 ! am in danger unless
unless the real criminal can be traced
in danger? Does he think shat?
Oh. Alfred, 1 can't bear IT,, Ii wa al
ready hard enough as it was. with
papa's objection TO you on o of
your lack of means. and now-to think
that you-you! must be tried for your
life, that you must be suspected Of
OIL can't bear i'll" And the girl burst
into tears.
WILDLY tried to soothc her with
caresses and tender words. but 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 are going to
bring the coffin into this room. and you
must not he here. Poor little girl! To
think that | would bring such trouble
on you!"
Miss Delmar rose and wiped her eyes.
II was a goose TO break down that
way" she said. forcing n smile. II
came to try to comfort you with IN
assurance of my faith in you. and I've
acted like n schoolgirl. You will write
10 me. or send Col. Warrenton TO see me.
as soon as you know anything definite.
won't you?"
Certainly replied. "Don'tworry.
II will all come out right. Yon 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 sur | did right in not telling
her about that af%tertbought of mine"
he reelected. ut would only worry her.
after ali. And yet My God. it will
drive me madl Could | have done it?
VIII it all come back 20 me some day
He sank on the sofa covered his face
with his hands. and groaned aloud.