The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-05-01
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INNOCENT?
& Il x x y y * X X X y: xxx 4 S<s
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

any one to believe your story in the
face Of the cashiers sworn testimony"
he says coolly. my dear Barbara,
Bouverie was proved guilty. He was
tried for drugging the cashier and rob-
bling the bank, and he committed the
crime without q shadow Of doubt. I
dare say you were weak enough to
hand him over hundred pounds, but
he robbed the bank as we'll"
He did mott" breathes Barbara des-
perately, land it was I who begged
and prayed him to take the money.
was to be his wife; there was no harm
in 1t. and it saved him from dis
honor"
Mrs. Saville takes Barbara's hand.
my dear, don't make fool of your
self! We don't doubt that he took
your money-it was exactly the kind
OF thing a man like George Bouverie
would do, but he was guilty of the
bank robbery as we'll. It is hard on
you, Barbara. but he is not worth a
regret"
Barbara's breath comes fast. Her
eyes I'LL suddenly with tears at the re-
membrance of an interview between
herself and George that had been SOL
emn and almost sacred. He had knelt
beside her, with his face sorely trou-
bled, and she had prayed to God to
give him strength to begin a new life.
and give up the poison of the mania
for gambling. Was it likely after that
he would have committed the sin he
was found guilty of?
She draws her hand from her aunt's
clasp.
You are all against him-you and
Sebastian most of all, but 1 will save
him."
Barbara carries her point, and starts
on her journey alone
Sebastian shrugs his shoulders.
What a high-fown piece of bust
ness! But I see now why she went
out to Tasmania second class"
Barbara is an IDIOT" responds Mrs
Saville irritably. Il would like to lock
her up! I suppose we may as well 20
back to the Court till she comes to her
Senses
Not so. You can settle anywhere
you like. and when Barbara finds that
her tragic explanation of George Bou-
verie and the hundred pounds won't
get him out of prison I'll fetch her
over myself, but let her do all she can
now"
Barbara goes straight to the Grange.
VINO should she go to with her news
but to Georges mother? And never
for a moment has she the slightest
doubt that her story will unbar the
prison doors and let George free. It
was her money he had. She had
brought it to him in a little bag, and
made him take it; and now. with her
pretty face full of sympathy and hope,
she gathers poor, sorrowful Mrs. uou-
Verle IN her arms. and half weeping,
half laughing, tells the whole story.
And no doubt crosses the mothers
mind. Trembling with joy and ,ex-
element, she clings to Barbara, and
the two women weep together, drawn
to each other by the link of love that
is between them.
God bless you!" sobs Mrs. Bou-
verie. Il knew my boy was innocent,
but what shall we do. am so ig-
norant? Ought we not go to the law
yer who defended his case? Come.
Barbara! Oh, darling, you love him,
too; do not let us lose moment! We
can go to Dublin this evening, anu
then-oh, surely tomorrow they will
set him free?"
Neither Mrs. Bouverie nor Barbara
have the slightest idea of the red tape
and the endless formalities that can
keep even an innocent man under lock
and key.
Upon this fearful scene of excite
ment Doctor Carter enters. He pays
many visit to cheer up his old friend.
and he alone knows Of the calendar
that is SO full of sorrowful interest as
across. each day trembling line is
drawn, one twenty-four hours nearer
the end of the time that is only begin
ming now.
He is fully as much excited as Mrs.
Bouverie and Barbara, and, like them.
sees no difficulties in the way. It is
only when, in answer to an urgent ap-
peal, Mr.. Jarvis pays a late visit to
the Hotel Metrdpole, where Mrs. Bou-
yerie engages rooms, that a little
doubt damps the ardor of their hopes.
The man Of law looks at Barbara's
flushed, eager face with dawning of
comprehension.
'Quixotic," he thinks. "Now I
know why ,Bouverie held his tongue. I
thought there was something behind
the scenes
To Mrs. Bouverie he says:
This is most important evidence, I
wish It had been produced at the time
OF the trial. It accounts for the
money, but how are We to get over the
facts sworn to by Mr.. Grey when he
identified Bouverie as the man who
drugged him? That 10 the nut we have
IA crack z, II Il. q
The look Of Joy died out Of Mrs.
Bouyerie's eyes. tears roll down her
cheeks. IN 81 AZ
thought this would have ret him
3free he u murmurs, pressing her
hands Together.
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