Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-02

began; but Brooke interrupted MIN.
81 don't deny it," said he.
every WELL" said Hall. What time
did you leave the station last EVENING"
Eleven O'clock" answered Brooke
sharply.
"Where did you go?"
Home"
81 had been led to believe" said Hall
calmly, that you went over to the
theater."
what you may have been led to be-
lieve," retorted Brooke, '1s Of the small
est possible consequence to me. What
does Miss Winsted believer"
"This can all be explained" ex-
claimed Marie. Perhaps Miss Austin
isis a relative"-
She felt angry and absurd. She knew
that she was not taking the proper at
utude; that she ought to treat this
story with utter scorn and disbelief.
Yet Brooke had denied nothing, and
Hall sat there with look Of complete
confidence which disconnected her. 1t
was the mans peculiar gift that he
could always exert this influence upon
her when he tried.
Miss Austin is in no way related to
me-" said Brooke.
"And-and you said that to herr"
'There may have been MORE" said
Hall. THAT was all that heard"
There was a little more" said
Brooke. turning toward Marie. But I
cannot tell you what it was"
II don't see how you could have any
thing to say to her that you can't tell
me-" said Marie. 81 don't understand
this matter in the least. At first I
thought that it was all very absurd
and that a word from you would set II
right. was almost glad that Mr.. Hall
had put himself in this position. did
not wish to stop him until he had said
enough to prohibit him from ever say
ing any more upon this subject to me.
But you explain nothing, Stanton"-
Because l wish to be the explana-
ton myself, the living explanation, y
he answered hurriedly and with deep
earnestness. Chance, luck, can do
what it pleases. 1t can pile up endless
evidence upon any subject. Coincidence
can convict any man Of any offense
whatever unless he himself Is the suffi-
Client answer to the accusation. Unless
you can begin by trusting me, Marie,
we shall never be happy. am glad the
opportunity has arisen, so that we may
know just what we are to each other"
"In the ordinary speech Of men," said
Hall. this sort Of thing is called a
bluff. beg your pardon, Marie, but l
really could not see you fall into trap
so plain" q.
Brooke was standing behind heavy
chair. He gripped the back Of it hard,
as if he needed it for purposes Of re-
straint.
81 think you ought to tell ALL" said
the girl, trembling.
81 can't" replied Brooke with pecu.
liar smile. 1T would be against the
law. Please, please, believe in me"
He extended his hand toward her i'm
ploringly, and suddenly she clasped 1t
In both Of hers and let Brooke draw
her toward him. He put an arm across
her shoulders and looked triumphantly
at his accuser.
Hall was slowly rising from his chair.
He had begun to do so when he heard
the words against the law" His face
was pale and rigid.
"The part Of my message which I
can't tell you, Marie" said Brooke, '4s
q name-merely a name. This caves
dropper overheard all the rest"
"a nameT echoed the girl.
"Yes, a mans name." was the reply.
Hall by this time was standing in
front OF Brooke, upon whose shoulder
he laid his right hand roughly, staring
Into his face. Brooke met the glance
squarely, and it was the other who
flinched first. Halls hand dropped. he
turned away without word and
walked somewhat unsteadily down the
steps and out Of the yard.
"He knows the truth now" said
Brooke. For a man who was 50 fool
ish in the beginning and so blind he
showed a remarkably quick perception
at the last"
81 don't know the TRUTH" said Marie
"and l don't ever want to know 1t un
less you care to tell me-"
"My dear little girl" said he, bending
down, "this actress, who, / have nc
doubt, is a most estimable young wo
man, made her first appearance with
the company last evening, and proba
bly, she was very nervous about it an(
required all the encouragement she
could possibly have. So fellow in the
east who loves her sent telegram tt
cheer her up. Mr.. Hall correctly re
peated it to you. He did not hear the
signature, and l couldn't give you that
because, as l have said, it Is agains
the law to reveal such matter. re
placed the telegraph operator at the
station. l was alone when the message
came. | wanted Miss Austin to have i
in time, because it was a very nice
message and q good cure for stage
fright, as l should suppose. So tele
phoned to the theater and disclosed the
facts, and when Miss Austin came tt
the other end Of the wire I repeated tht
words Of the man In the east. Let u.
hope that he loves her as much as
love you, Marie, and that he will never
lose her confidence nor deserve to lost
it. Also" he added, smiling, 81 humbly
pray the same blessing for myself, ant
will try to deserve It,"