Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-08-11


4 want to apologize for what did
in Berlin. or rather for coming 20
Borlon," he began. Il was wrong and
/ beg your pardon"
THAT Is not the offence for which
you should crave forgiveness" said
Jessie Garden. Scorn was in her voice
and a warning fash in her eyes
Your intrusion in Berlin was inso.
lent but 1t was in harmony with a
greater afiront which preceded II,
and one OF which no gentleman would
be guilty. II you have nothing moro
appropriate to say, leave me, sir!!"
Il have; have!" cried Morris. COW
cring before her gaze. Pray be seat.
Cd Miss Garden, and-and give me a
chanco!"
Il should not" she SAID coldly.
Il know the time you mean, Miss
Garden" Ills face flushed a deeper
red and he looked at her with ap.
pcaling eyes. You mean that affair
az the clambake. was intoxicated.
Miss Garden. It's a hard word, but
I'm going to be honest and throw my.
self on your mercy. ! am very, very
sorry: really ] am, Mics Garden, and
| want to be your-yOur friend"
She longed TO spurn his prayers
and to ask him to take back the white
locks from above her iather's brow
and remove the stain Of disgrace.
She realized that the man who had
crushed her father wEs now in her
power, and felt that triumphant JOY
which only a woman can know. But
Il wounded aud tortured her pride TO
think that Morris dared aspire TO her
love. She charged the sacrifice she
was about to make against the &C
count Of a future revenge, and turned
to him with a softer light in her eyes.
Il should not forgive YOU" she said.
When man who pretends to your
position so far forgets himself, he
should first obtain his own pardon.
He should then seek to redress the
wrongs caused by his cffensc. Arc
you prepared 20 do that, MIR. Morris?"
Il don't eZactly understand what you
mean, Miss Garden"
Il will make myself plain" said
Jessie. You attempted to murder
a young man who resented your in.
suits in a public place, and in the en-
counter you were injured. For years
you have had a standing reward for
the arrest Of this innocent man. Are
you willing to take steps to absolve
him? John Burt has been the greater
victim of your conduct"
But my dear Miss Garden, haven't
the slightest notion of where he is,
don't you know" said Morris with
puzzled expression. Pom my word,
don't. We had q beastly row in
which / got shot and all the fellows
who were with me say | started 1t,
and that the pistol went OF in my own
hand. / assure you that | don't re.
member a thing about it. The gov.
ernor offered the reward. / can get
him to withdraw it, and put a notice
in the papers promising that no pros
ecution shall be made. I'll do any.
thing you say, Miss Garden"
Publicly announce the withdrawal
of the reward and state that he will
not be prosecuted" said Jessie, as If
the matter was merely one of alb
stract justice. "And If you are con-
ndent that | shall not again be en-
barrassed by your indiscretions l will
try to overlook the past"
You are very good" he exclaimed,
effusively. ITS more than l deserve,
but you will not regret it, Miss Car
den. My governor and yours are
mixed up in business, and it's a beast.
ly shame, don't you know, that we
should be at odds. BY the way, I'm
awfully sorry about the generals finan-
cial troubles. Hope he pulls out Of
them all right, and think he will. I'm
trying now to make a deal which will
help him out. And you're not angry
with me now, are you, Miss Garden?
Let's shake hands and call 1t square?"
Morris extended a clammy hand,
and Jessie, with an inward shudder,
permitted him to clasp hers for a mo.
ment.
The summer season was at hand,
and Jessie was looking forward with
pleasure to a sojourn in bingham.
Arthur Morris had been devoted in
his attentions, and Jessie felt thrill
ling wickedness at the tacit encour-
agement she had given him.
ITO be continued.)
------
NOT WHAT HE WAS SENT FOR.