The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-07-20
THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY.
By R0DRIGUEs OTTOLENGUI.
Author of An artist IN Crime" ~ Conflict of
Evidence" ~ Modern U-isard,"
Final Proof" Etc.
Copyright, 1896, by C. r. Putnam's Sons An
rights rescrvcd.l

"Oh! You wont tell him. Will you.
Please don't tell him that | told you
about our bcng-bcing married.!
"Why should not tell him? Where
is the harm of telling man that you
have met his wife,
Mr.. Mitchell spoke thus to alarm the
girl, IL possible, aiia TO make her more
apt to betray herself, for he was sure
that there was deception.
"Oh, no. nor she cried vchemently
You don't understand, You must not
tell him. Oh. dear. Oh, dear! I've
/ been n fool to talk TO you-a fool, n
foOl!' With these words she burst into
tears. woman's usual resource when
she wishes to soften the heart of 4
man.
"Comc, Gomez said Mr.. Mitchell. rut-
ting one arm about her carcssingly.
Don't cry, little woman. I'm not an
ogre. won't tell if you don't wish
me. There, there. Stop crying!"
She was easily calmcd and hastily
wiped away her tears with Il tiny
HANDKERCHIEF. Whenever | see one Of
these diminutivc appendagcs to wo-
mans toilet the Thought occurs to me
that they are more lifted for the eye
than the nose. They are soft and sheer
and do not rcddcn the eyes when used
for mopping up tears.
Lillian was SO anxious to be reas-
sured as to Mr.. Mitchcl's promise that
she did not notice that she dropped
this handkerchief after wiping her
eyes nor that Mr.. Mitchell stopped and
picked 1t up. He held it mechanically
in his hand while she spoke.
"Oh! You won't tell him?" she
cried. "Mnd, that's promise! You
see. didn't know you knew him. or
wouldn't have told YOU"
She poutcd her lips and tossed her
hend pertly, while her eyes, sparkling
through their moisture, made her look
= like a pretty spoiled child. Yet she
claimed to be wife!
II promise not to repeat what you
have told me, but only on condition
that you tell me more" said Mr.
Mitchell.
Tell You more?' exclaimed Lillian.
again alarmed.
'Yes. You must tell me why you do
not wish me to speak Of your mar
riage to Matthew Crane
'Oh, no! can't tell you that"
every well. Then l cannot promise
to keep 1t q secret"
"Well. then" said Lillian in despcra-
tion, "thc reason is bccause"-Shc hung
her head and lowered her voice as she
completed her sentence, and the hot
blood surgcd to her face. mantling it in
blush which extended to the tips Of
her ears-"because we're not mar
ried" She paused for just mo-
ment. Then, with upliftcd eyes. light
ed up with beam Of hopcfulness that
was piteous IN its trustfulness, she
added:
But we are going to be!'
Poor child! Poor stray lambv said
Mr.. Mitchell, laying his hand rcvcrent-
ly on the girls head and gazing into
her dark eyes, wherein he saw reflect
ed naught but innocence.
"If ever sin was Guiltless, 1t Is here
In the heart of this child" he thought.
then added aloud:
II want to have n talk with you, my
girl, long. long talk. Let us ride on
the elevated railroad and have our
chat"
"You don't mean me any harm 2" she
asked doubtfully.
"Harm! No, indeed, my girl!
only wish to be friend to you. l
would not harm hair OF your head.
Will you comeY
He extended his hand, and she look.
cd at him full minute hesltatingly.
Then, with q sudden impulse, she
placed her pretty soft hand in his and
exclaimed:
''Yes. I'll risk It. I'll go with you"
They were soon comfortably seated
In n Harlem train. in one Of the double
seats In the first car which Is usually
the least crowded.
"Now, then" began Mr.. Mitchell
"tell me all about it."
"All about what p asked Lillian.
about how you happened to be
Mrs. Matthew Crane without being
married"
She blushed again and looked out OF
the window. Mr.. Mitchell did not press
his question, but was content to lei
her decide for herself. But he had re-
tanned her handkerchief. with which hs