The Red Cloud chief., 1900-06-15
CHAPTER vII.-(Continued.)

grey and haggard.
Yes, they've got a warrant! George,
you are innocent, aren't your"
Eyes, | am innocent" he returns, in
a dull sort Of way. MY poor mother,
you'll stand to her, dcctor?"
George! oh, my SOM" His mothers
arms are round him. She has heard
every word. Her voice is full of
agony-an agony that is like a sword
IN her heart.
Mother, my poor mother!' The
mans face works as he holds her to
him tight.
God bless m y soul" shouts the
doctor, what are we coming to when
a man like Saville can act on a
trumped-up pack of rubbish? My dear
Mrs. Bouverie, don't let this worry
you, 1t Is all a wretched mistake!
George, man. say you can set 1t
right!'
There was no shame in the eyes OF
George Bouverie. A kind Of proud
light leaps into them for a moment;
then he puts his mother gently into the
doctors arms, saying softly:
Whatever happens, believe I am in
nocent.' Then he turns to the SER
geant. Now, then, l am ready to go
with you"
Mrs. Bouverie does not SEQ the
browning act Of disgrace as her son
walks out Of his own home a prisoner
into the goodly light Of the setting
sum-. She has tainted, and lies back
with closed eyes, unconscious of the
young golden head, that, for the first
time in his life, George bows with
shame.
He gets up on the car, with white
lips and a stony face. His eyes are
fixed and show no wavering. And, be-
fore night falls. all Portraven stands at
its doors discussing the bank robbery
and the arrest of Mr.. Bouverie; while
the cashier lies in his lodgings, and
turns his face to the wall, a limp heap
Of shuddering humanity.
His landlady hurries to tell him that
Mr.. Bouverie has been taken. Mr..
Grey only shivers and buries his chat
tering teeth and leaden face in the bed
clothes.
1t is Doctor Carter who, with tears
in his eyes, breaks to Mrs. Bouverie
the terrible intelligence that her son
has beer brought before the magis-
crates and committed for trial on the
charge of robbery and murderous as
sault.
He never did it," sobs the old man;
"but 1t looks very black against him.
Poor lad! He wouldn't say where he
uak xLo .,n,ny hn uaS wiring off IN
that scoundrel, the bookmaker, and
that went lead against him; and that
fellow Grey stuck to his story. He
swore 1t was George who attacked him
he swore 1t through thick and thin.
On the face OF evidence like that the
magistrates had nothing to do but send
the case for trial; but I can't believe
1t Of George can't indeed"
Yet the doctor Is wavering. Facts
are stubborn .-.ngs and honorable
men nave become thieves and crimi-
nails before now. Mrs. Bouverie lies
worn out with grief and anxiety.
Would I had died for thee, my
son!" she means, as David did, and car
take no comfort. Her boy, her idol
sent to prison, condemned already In
the eyes of the world. Yet her faith
\ has never wavered. George said he was
innocent, and God in His own good
time will make that innocence clear.
Then there was that awkward BIZ
Of evidence about the ch%loroform, the
doctor goes on, examining and sitting
every bit If evidence. Dale. thai
chemist, swore that George haC
bought that chloroform for the de-
struction OF a diseased cat"
THAT was true" Mrs. Bouverie lift.
her heavy, tear-wet eyes for a second
Yes; but George couldn't say HI
had used the chloroform. and that told
against him. Saville jumped at tina
point"
my pool cat died. She was a pet
and she was caught In a trap. IL
spare my feelings, George said h,
would give her chloroform. She wa!
lead before he got back from Port
raven, and afterwards he said he ha
thrown the bottle away. Oh, Doctor
! Carter, you know my boy Is innocent
- These hideous doubts must be dis
solved! / feel so weak, so heartbroken
80 ITlenultSS. copo thO Poc' 'eey
land my poor George was so happ!
Just before this Unprecedented Il
Barbara Saville. and looking forward
to going out to Tasmania"
The doctor draws a long whistle.
THAT accounts for the milk In tn
cocoanut-that sour-visaged Savill
means to marry the girl himself.
ia az plain as DAYLIGHT now. That l
why he is SO dead against George!"
Mrs. Bouverie clasps her tremblin
hands and bows her grief-staine
face.
George in prison! Doctor CarteI
God only knows my agony! My poo
poor boy, weak as he may have beer
but criminal never!'
Doctor Carter tries to comfort an
console her.
"Thara there let II come 10 a trial