Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25

10 ner wishes.
You will not do this" she said; 'for my
| sake you will not''
You ask this of me, and 1t is for your
| sake?"
Yes; If there is no other way-if Mr..
| Mortimer, innocent. must take upon himself
! this crime, then for my sake you will not
| punish him.
| The gray eyes were violet black in their
| intensity,
IF I promise" He had been going to
ask for reward but she broke in, saying:
You will keep your word, and I will
thank you"
| Nothing more-is that ALP
| The magnetism of the intesified eyes broke
| down his reserve; he slipped back twenty
| years In a second. Love touched him with
| fire-wand and his soul ignited Cold
| unfamiliar it to him, that carried
| conviction to the girl-just the conviction
| that he in earnest, that he was pos
| sessed of a humaniZing love.
! She listened patiently while he pleaded
his cause with mastery. 1t was beyond her
understanding that, though Mortimer
through all time had spoken not at all of
love to her-at least not in the passionate
words that came from Cranes lips-yet she
now heard as though 1t were his voice and
not Cranes. Love was glorious thing
with Mortimer.
Cranes intensity avaied nothing When
he asked why she held faith to a man who
must be known for all time as a felon. her
| soul answered, 1T is nothing, because he
| is innocent.
| Because of her Crane would do anything;
| the matter should be dropped as though it
were all a hideous mistake. Mortimer
might remain in the bank-Crane would
! even try to believe him innocent, taking the
| girls proteStation as conclusive proof Her
mother, her father. every one, would de-
mand of her, however. that she give Morti-
mer up a possibility. Even in his vehe-
mence, he lost no delicacy of touch. Why
should she chain herself to an impossibility.
1t would but ruin the man she professed to
regard
Crane made no threat; but Alis shudder-
ed. She knew. The narrow-lidded eyes had
closed perceptibly when their owner talked
of the alternative, He, Crane loved her
she felt that was true. He was rich; for
her father, for her brother, for herself, even
for Mortimer, he would use his wealth.
He pleaded his cause like a strong man,
and when he spoke of failure because Of
| her preference for Mortimer, an acridity
crept into his voice that she knew meant
ruin for all time for whomever he had the
power to ruin or felt disposed to-
She could not hold this full power over
Crane without feeling its value. To pledge
herself to him as wife was impossible; she
could not do 1t. she would not.
Fate played into his hands without doubt
but Fate was not Providence. decree Of
this sort, Ubiquitous. was not higher COM
mand. else she would not feel utter alb
horrence of the alliance. ParadoXically the
more vehemently Cranes love obtruded
itself the more obnoxious 1t became to her.
1t seemed something quite distinct from the
mans own personality She did not detest
him individually, for the honesty of his love
impressed her; mentally she separated
Crane from his affection, and while reject
ing his love, absolutely, as compelling
factor, appealed to him as man having re-
gard for her, a woman he believed in.
1t most delicate cleavage, yet uner
ringly she attained to It's utmost point Of
discrimination.
Perhaps 1t was the strength Of her love
Mortimer hat enabled her n
calmly the passionate declaration from
Crane. A year before, unsophisticated as
she had been. 1t would have thrown her
into an agitated confusion, but she was de-
veloplng rapidly; responsibility had made
strong the great will power which was hers
In such a marked degree.
IT am sorry, Mr.. Crane" she began con-
ventionally enough, II am sorry. couldn't
marry a man without loving him. What
you have Just told me must win regard for
you because know that you feel strongly,
and think any woman should take an
offer of honest love as the greatest Of all
compliments"
But don't even ask for your love now"
he interrupted.
"Ah, but you should You shouldn't mar
ry woman unless she loved you. At any
rate. I feel that way about it. OF course,
If there were chance of my coming to care
for you in that way. We could walt, but 1t
would be deceiving you to give hope"
us It because you care for Mortimer" he
asked.
''I think IT is. suppose If am to help
him must be quite honest with you. I do
not want to talk about 1t. IT seems too
sacred, I have even spoken less to Mr..
Mortimer Of love" she added with pain
full attempt at a smile "You have said
that you care foi me, Mr.. Crane and be-
lieve you. You have been generous to my
father also. Now won't you promise me
something Just for the sake Of this regard2
I suppose it is impossible to prove Mr.. Nor
timers innocence" She felt her own
helplessness and who else could or would
care to accomplish it-"but 1t Is in your
power TO lessen the evil. Won't you take
my word that he is innocent and stop every
thing. AS you say, either Mr. Mortimer or
Alan must be suspected, and If 1t were
brought home to my brother. 1t would crush
me. and my mother and father
what can I do?'
Just nothing. I know Mr.. Mortimer has
determined to accept the disgrace, and he
will go away. You can make his load as
light as possible. for my sake"
The small hand on his arm was drawing
him to acquiescence. He did not answer at
once, but sat moodily diagnosing his posi-
tion. If he refused and prosecuted Morti-
mer, the girl, more determined than many
men. would change from a state of posi-
bility-from simply not loving him to a Wig
orous hate. If he hushed the matter up,
Mortimer would go away under a cloud
and his removal from the presence Of Allie
might effect change in her regard for him.
He would accelerate this wished-for illusion
proof of Mortimer's dishonesty. He saw
his opening to that end; he could do it
! under the guise of clearing the innocent one
of the suspected two; for Allls alone this
would be. To him there was not the slight
est ground for supposing Alan had taken
the money. but, blinded by her love, evil
IDENTIFY Allis thought Mortimer was shield
Ing her brother.
Though 1t was to Cranes best interests,
! he pretended TO consent out of pure chival-
ry What you ask" he said, lis very lit
tie. l would do a thousand times more for
you. There Is nothing you could ask of me,
that would not give me more pleasure than
anything else in my barren life. But I
could not bear to you welded to Nor
timer. He Is not worthy-you are too good
for him. l don't say this because he seems
more fortunate. but love you and want to
see you happy"
The girl was like slim poplar The
strong wind Of Cranes clever pleading and
seeming generosity swayed her from her
rigid attitude. only TO spring back again.
to stand straight and beautiful, true to her
love and faith in Mortimer.
You are kind to me- she said simply; 1T
wish could repay you"
Perhaps some day I may get a reward
out OF all proportion to this small service"
She looked fair into his eyes, and on her
| lips hovered a weak, plaintive, wistful
| smile, as though she were wishing that he