Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-20

I part Of our orders. I wish you could understand and forgive me, Mirey."
 "Fergive ye!'' she burst out. Fer 1 give ye! You lied to me, made love to me, learned me to love-yes, to loVe-slch a snake as you You'd have sent poor old pap to prison, am made me an outcast-a convict's dar- ter. Fergive ye? Never-you hound" Mirey, it wasn't all a lie. I did: admire you-I do yet. And I in- tended to arrange that your father might escape if-'' Then ye wouldn't have done yer duty. You'd have played traitor to both sides. Don't talk to me. don't never want to hear yer voice. There was long silence-then the man remarked: t4 'l suppose Jake has gone after the gang"
 Don't mention Jake's name. You ain't fit to. He's a man." Look here, Mirey. Do you realize what you are doing? You are help ing murder me, as surely as though i you had shot me through the head with that revolver. Do you under { stand what that means-to take hu- man life-in cold blood? Bad as I am never did what you are doing now. You are helping murder me, Mirey.'
 The girl shuddered again, then steeled herself How do know what they'll do with ye? That's their bizness-not mine. You an them fer that" 'Mirey, you know as we'll as I that 0ll never see another sunrise if you keep me here 30 minutes longer. You loved me once, Mirey. An hour ago you would have gone with me to the ends of the earth. Do you hate me so now that you will stain your soul with my blood? ?"
 She gave great sob
 What kin I do? dasen't let ye go. Let me alone Fer Gods sake don't tempt me-. He strained his strong wrists, the handkerchief fell over the supple, pIiant hands, and he sprang to his feet, defying the deadly weapon upraised in the shaking hands. Stop! I'll have to shoot! I prom ssed Jake-ye're a spy" Shoot, then, Mirey. I'd better die that way than by torture. Shoot right here-between the eyes-be gure.''
 The dark eyes looked into his, filled with tears, and the grim muzzle dropped.
 O. Rob-I kain't-I'm coward" He sprang forward, seized the weapon, and fired every chamber in the air.
 Now, you've done your duty" he exclaimed, breathlessIy. You've fired every bullet at me and only wounded me as ran. I've boat concealed at the river. Goodby, Mirey." She grasped his arm and chung to him desperately.
 'sNot till I know ye won't inform on pap and-Jake. I must know that, CT I'll hold ye till they come an they've heered tn shots.'' Gould betray you-after you've saved me? Mirey- -girl--look in my eyes-they shall never know.'
 She looked, knew, and released him. He stopped to kiss her, but she thrust him back fercely. He seized the brown right hand, pressed it to bis lips, and bounded away. The girl tell on her knees. 70, Lord, forgive me fer what I've done. Forgive me fer the lie I'm about to tell An, o, God, help me to fergit him"
 Then she pressed her burning lips Ito the brown right hand, rubbed the spot madfy with the crushed letter, and, with a little moan, cast tne pa- per away, as she cast him from her heart, and rose to face the hurrying men
 Late that night when Jake re- turned, weary and desperate, from the fruitless search, Mirey, from the old mans side, stepped forward in the moonlight to meet him. "Jake," she said, softly, don't worry. He'll never tell. I know"
 Jake looked down, s&ernly, into the :. dark eyes.
 eMirey-you let him go.'' She laid both brown hands on his arm and looked up, pleadingly, into the grave, rugged face. "Yes-it was better. I've been fool, Jake. But it's all past now. An I--Jake-ye needn't wait till fadl-ef yell have me yit."
 Jake stopped, kissed the quivering lips, put his strong arm about her, and led her to the smiling old man.