Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-19

dishonored, Il was as though bis mother
might have spoken. George"
"a thousand dollars was stolen from the
bank. and am accused OF taking IT," he
answered bitterly.
you didn't, did you? l know you didn't,
but | want to hear you say So
He looked full into the girls eye, and
answered, with deliberate earnestness. II
did not steal the money"
Some one took it?'
Yes"
And you know who It was"
81 do not"
But you suspect someone?'
He did not answer.
Did you put the money back
He nodded his head.
protect somebody's good pame?,
Because 1t had been in my charge.
cant talk about it," he broke in vehe-
mently; "all I can say is that | am inno-
cent. II you believe that, / don't care
what they do. They'll be able to prove
by circumstantial evidence that / took it,
he added. bitterly, and nothing that / can
say would make any difference. My mother
won't believe me guilty. and. thank God,
you don't. And / am not, God knows I am
not. Beyond that l will say nothing: II ia
useless-worse than useless, II would be
criminal-would only cast suspicion OH
others perhaps innocent. don't know
what they'll do about It; the money has
been repaid. They may arrest me as a
felon. At any rate, ! shall be forced to
leave the bank and go away. It won't
make much difference. ] am as I was be-
fore, an honest man, and I shall find other
openings. It's not half so bad as thought
1t would be. l feared, perhaps. that you
would be-"
She stopped him with an implorins
gesture.
Let me finish" he said; 1T must 70
back to the ONCE. I thought that you
might believe me a thief, and that would
have been too much"
you cared for my poor opinion 2" she
asked. The culver in her voice caused
him to look into her face. He saw the
gray eye shrouded In tears. He was a
queer thief, trembling with Joy because OF
his sin.
Eyes, I care" he answered, and IL
seemed all so dark before you brought the
sunlight in with you; now I'm glad that
they've accused me; somebody else might
have suffered and had no one to believe In
But I must go back tony prison
1t seems like now-when I leave you"
this with a weary attempt at brave mock
cry.
Allis laid a OBTAINING hand on his arm,
the small gloved hand that had guided
Lausanne to victory. III anything happena
If you are going away-I think you are
right to go II they distrust you--you will
see me before you leave, won't your
"Will you care TO see me II ! stand
branded as a theft" The word came hard,
but in his bitterness he felt like not spar,
ing himself; he wanted to get accustomed
to the full obloquy.
Promise me to come to Ringwood be-
fore going away" she answered.
YES, I will. and ! thank you. No matter
how dark the shadow may make my life,
your kindness will be a hope Of light. No
man is utterly lost when a good woman
believes in him"
The creaking bank door walled tremu.
lousy. irritably; somebody was pushing 1t
open from the inside. With a whine of re-
1t swung wider, and Crane
out on the sidewalk. He stared
in establishment at Mortimer and AlIls; his
brow wrinkled in anger. Only for an In
slant; the forehead smoothed back into its
placidity. and his voice, well in
hand, said in even tones. Good afternoon,
Miss Porter. Are you going back to Ring.
wood? ?" and he nodded toward Allis' buggy
stood In front OF the bank.
yes, l am. I'm going now. Good day,
Mortimer" and she held out her hand.
Mortimer besitated. and then, flushing,
took the gloved fingers in his own. With
put speaking, he turned and passed into the
bank.
May / go with your" asked Crane; "T
want to see your father"
Yes, I'll be glad to drive you over the
answered.
tic Be Continued)