Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-01
"TH1s rs YOUR CHANCE TAKE IT, NO WILL

supreme love. To have gained Allis Porter
by the strategy of a villain could not be
the method of holy passion. To sacrifice
his desire and give her back her lover was
loVe-loVe worthy of the girl. For an hour
he waited, then step sounded on the stair
way. The noise was as though several
horses were Juggling up cartful of loose
boards. At the door thick voice explained
the diversion. The hostler had again arrlv-
ed with an hour Of increased drunkenness
pulling mercilessly at his erratic legs.
John Porter's gal Ssh here an'-an' -
the hostler wrestled with the mental eXer-
else that had been intrusted to his muddled
brain. He'd swear that she here, for
his eyes had seen her, two of her; and also
he had a hazy idea that when he essayed
the stairs she had intruSted to him some
message. He CROPPED fitfully among the
wheels that buZZed in his skull for the elu-
sive something connected with her advent.
The heredity of habit came to his assist
ance.
Did you order something to drink?' he
asked with a sudden Frightening. He would
take his oath he had been asleep standing
there at the door. 1t seemed ages since he
had climbed with weary effort up the SOC
steps that led from away off somewhere to
this unfamiliar looking room, where con-
pie of men We're sitting on one chair. He
gurgled a laugh. Why the devil should they
both sit In one chair? The room was full
of chairs, hundreds of them; they sped
around the room of their own volition. He
furtively at his chest. when sharp voice
startled him; it sounded as though a huge
copper vessel had been struck fiercely by
a hammer.
Drink" the voice cried, 81 don't want
any drink" The strong hand had him by
the collar and the house was rocking vio-
lently to and FRO he could scarcely keep
his feet.
wake up; you're drunk! Is Miss Porter
downstairs?"
PORTER, Porter-yesh, Portersh gal,
thatsh what l said. Whatsh matter with
you? Lego. Keep cool; don't get excited.
Here, get out-go downstairs. ANA ne
did hurriedly almost in installments; the
many pieces of him clattered together at
the bottom and. feeling that the air was
full of inhospitalty, he laborously craWled
off to the wash room and fell asleep IN
peace.
Crane had followed the human avalanche
down the regular way. AlliS was standing
just within the hall door.
Good afternoon, Miss Porter" he said.
ut was good of you to come In: I've got
something very important to tell you, and
it's better that we have quiet-it doesn
seem quite the usual order of things here.
Would you mind coming upstairs to the sit
ting room, where we can be undlsturbed!
81 don't mind" answered the girl simply.
Have chair" he said, motioning to the
one Cass had lately sat in.
Crane did not take the other seat, but
paced restlessly up and down the room; 1t
seemed TO cool TIE leNSi IL his iiiiiio.
II hope it isn't more bad news, Mr..
Crane" Allis said, for her companion
seemed indisposed to break the silence.
ut is"-the girl started-"for me-" Crane
added, after a little pause, land yet l am
glad
THAT sounds strange" Allis commented
wonderingly.
What | am going to say to you means
the destruction of the dearest hope l have
in life, but it can't be helped Now 1 would
not have il any other way.
Suddenly he stopped in his swift pace
faced the girl and asked, You are quite
sure YOU can't love me?" He was waiting
for an answer.
mo, / can't I hate to cause you misery
| but l must speak the truth. You have
asked it,
"And you've answered it honestly.
know II was foolish in me to ask the inn
possible Just one more question and then
will tell you why l brought you here. Dc
YOU still believe in Mortimers innocence
do you love Mortimer
YES"
eff / were to tell you that he is innocent
that | lave discovered the guilty one.
| Joy. incapable of exact expression, irrele-
want in its naming the Diety, but full in its
exultation of soul. Then with quick trans
| formation the girl collapsed. as Cass had
| DONE and huddled in her chair, stricken
| by the sudden conviction that the crime
| had been brought home TO her brother. Her
| lover was guiltless, but to joy over 1t was
| q sim inhuman. for-was not Alan the thiei
/ if Mortimer were innocent?
Crane understood. He had forgotten. He
stepped quickly to the girls side, put his