The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1903-09-25

ieryet, wearily.
She made no reply. After awhile
ne looked up again and SAID softly:
"Mirey. before they-before | go
will you forgive me?"
Sine turned away her head 70 hius
he tears of wounded pride that
would not be repreSsed.
1T was mean. cruel. despieable."
he continued. hut we have to do
such things sometimes they're a
part of our orders. | wi h you could
understand and forgive me M,rey."
"Fergive ye." she burst out. Fer
give We. You lied To me. made love
20 me. learned me to love-yes. to
'ove-Sich a snaie as you. You q
have sent poor old pap TO pris N. an
made me an oUtc ST convict, dar-
ter. Forgive ye? Neve yen hound. "
"Mirey, it wasn't all a lie. l did
admire you-l do yet. And | IN
ended to arrange that your father
might escape if"
Then We wouldn't have done yer
1uty. You'd have played traitor to
both sides. Don't talk to me. | don't
rever want 10 hear yer voice"
There was long silence-then the
man remarked:
Il 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 help
ing murder me, as surely as though
YOU had shot me through the head
with that revolver. Do you under
s,and what that means-to take hu-
man life-in cold blood? Bad as l
am l 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 We? That's their bizness-not
mine. You an them fer that
"Mirey, you know as well as | that
I'll never see another sunrise it 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 win stain your soul
with my bIood?"
She gave great sob.
what kin do? l 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! prom
ised Jake-ye're spy"
shoot then. Mirey. I'd better die
that way than by torture. Shoot
right here-Eetween the eyes-be
sure"
The dark eyes looked into his, filled
with tears, and the grim muzzle
dropped.
20. Rob-I kain't-Im a coward"
He sprang forward seized the
weapon, and fired every chamber in
The air.
Now, you've done your duty" he
exclaimed. breathlessly. you've fired
every ballet at me and Only wounded
me as ran. I've IA boa, concealed at
the river. Goodby, Mrey."
She grasped his arm and chung to
him desperately.
"Not till | know We won't inform
on pap and-Jake. | must know
that. err I'll hold We till they come
an they've heered tn Shots
could | betray you-after you've
saved rae? Interpretations i'll my
eyes-they shall never know"
She looked. knew, and released
him. lie stopped to kiss her, but she
thrust him back fiercely. He seized
the brown right hand, pressed it to
his lips, and bounded away. The girl
fell on her knees.
so. Lord, fergi,e 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 little moan, cast the pa
per away, as she cast him from her
heart. and rose to face the hurrying
Ten.
Late that night when Jake re.
turned, weary and desperate. from
the fruitless search. Mirey, from the
old mans side. stenned forward in
the moonlight TO meet him.
"Jake." she said. softly. don't
worry. He'll rever tell. | know
Jake looked down, sternly. into the
dark eyes.
"Mircv-you let him GO"
She laid both brown hands on his
arm and looked NJ. plendingly. into
the grave. rugged fae".
"Yes--it was better. I've been a
fool. Jake But S all past now. I'm
-Jake--ye needn't wait till fall-ef
ven have me yit."
Jake stopped. kissed the 1uivering
Inns. put his strong arm about her.
and led her to tAe smiling old man.
vanity.
Mr.. Potts Ito his wife)-My dear,
the air is chilly. Fermez la fenetrc
-. IL,