The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-11
the tears of wounded pride that would

the tears of wounded pride that would
not be Pepressed.
"It was mean, cruel, despicable," he
continued, but we have to do such
things sometimes-they're part of
our orders. I wish you could under
stand and forgive me, Mirey."
"Fergive vel" she burst out. Fer
give We! You lied to me, made love to
me, learned me to love-yes, to love
SIGH a snake as you. You'd have sent
poor old pap to prison., an made me an
outcast-a convicts darter. Forgive
We? Never, you hound"
"Mirey, it wasn't all lie. I did ad-
mire you'll do yet And I intended to
arrange that your father might escape
if"
"Then We wouldn't have done yer
duty. You'd have played traitor to
both sides. Don't talk to me. I don't
never want to hear yer voice."
Z There was a long silence-then the
man remarked:
81 suppose Jake has gone after the
gang"
Don't mention Jake's name. You
amt fit to. He's a man."
Look here, Mirey.. Do. you. realize
what you are doing? You are helping
had shot me through the head with
that revolver. Do you understand
what that means-to take human life
lin cold blood? Bad as I am / never
did what you are doing now. You are
helping murder me, Mirey."
The girl shuddered again, then steel
ed herself.
How do know what they'll do with
We? That's their biziness-not mine.
You an them fer that
"Mirey, you know as well as l that
I'll never see another sunrise If you
keep me here thirty 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 a great sob.
what kin I do? 1 dasen't let We go.
Let me alone. Fer Gods sake don't
tempt me-
He strained his strong wrists, the
handkerchief fell over the supple,
plant hands, and he sprang to his feet,
defying the deadly weapon appraised in
the shaking hands.
stop! I'll have to shoot! I promised
Jake-ye're a spy.
"Shoot, then, Mirey. I'd better die
that way than by torture. Shoot
sure.'
The dark eyes looked into his, filed
with tears, and the grim muzzle
dropped.
90, Rob- kain't-Pm a coward"
He sprang forward, seized the weap-
on and fired every chamber in the air.
Nov, you've done your duty he
exclaimed, breathlessly. you've fired
every bullet at me and only wounded
me as ran. I've boat concealed at
the river. Good-by, Mirey''
She Crashed hic arm and CLING 70
him desperately.
Not till know We won't inform on
pap and-Jake. I must know that, er
I'll hold We till they come-an' they've
heered tn shots" essea,
Gould I tbetrayo you-after you've
saved me? MifeyAAgirl-look in my
eyes-they shall never know
She looked, knew, and released him.
He stopped to kiss her, but she thrust
him back f1ercely. He seized the brown
right hand, pressed 1T ITO his lips and
bounded away. The girl fell on her
knees.
"Oh, 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
to the brown right hand, rubbed the
spot madly with the crushed letter,
and, with a little moan, cast the paper
away, as she cast him from her heart,
and rose to face the hurrying men.
Late that night when Jake returned,
weary and desperate, from the fruitleSs
search, Mirey, from the old mans side,
stepped forward in the moonlight to
meet him.
cake" she said, softly. don't worry.
He'll never tell. / know"
Jake looked down, sternly, into the
dark eyes.
"Mirey-you let him 60"
She laid both brown hands on his
arm and looked up, pleadingly, into the
grave, rugged face. !.
"Yes-it was better. I've been a fool,
Jake. But It's all past now. An'-Jake
we needn't wait till fall-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.