Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-25

upon himself this crime, then for my sake you will not punish him"
 The gray eyes were violet-black in their intensity. e'-..
 eff I promise" He had been going to ask for reward, but she broke in, saying: You will keep your word, and I will bless you.
 Nothing more-is that alI7"
 The magnetism of the intense eyes broke down his reserve; he slipped back twenty years in a second. Love touched him with fire-wand, and his soul igntted. Cold. passionless Phliip Crane spoke in tongue unfamiliar as it was to him, that carried convic- tion that he was earnest, that he was possessed of a humanizing love. She listened patiently while he pleaded his cause with much mastery. It was be- yond her understanding, that, though Mortimer through all time had spoken not at all of love to her-at least not in the passionate words that came from this mans lips-yet she now heard as though it were his voice and not Cranes. Love was glorious thing-with Mortimer
 Cranes intensity availed nothing. When he asked why she held faith to a man who must be known for all time as a thief. her solri answered.: "It is nothing-because he is inno- cent" 4..
 The banker made no threat, but AL lis shuddered. She knew. The nar- row-lidded eyes had closed percepti- bly, when their owner talked of the alternative. He, Crane, loved her she felt that was true. He was rich; for her father, for her brother, for herself, even for Mortimer, he would use his wealth. He pleaded his cause like a strong man, and when he spoke of failure because of her preference for Mortimer, an acridity crept into his voice that meant relentless prose- cution- .c.
 "I am sorry, MT. Crane" she began, conventionally enough, "T am sorry; I couldn't marry man without loving him. What you have just told me must win regard for you, because I know that you feel strongly, and think any woman should take an offer of honest love as the greatest of all compli- ments." ~....a. V
 But don't even ask for your love now" he interrupted.
 "Ah. but you should. You shouldn' f marry woman unless she loves you. z
 "Is it because you care for Morti- mer?" he asked.
 1'tI think it is.j I suppose If am to help him must be quite honest with you. You have said that you care for me, MT. Crane, and believe you; you have been generous to my father, also. Now won't you promise me something, just for the sake of this regard? I suppose 1t is impossible to prove MT. Mortimer's innocence-but, 1t is in your power to lessen the evil. Won't you take my word that he is innocent and stop eyerything?" %a.:, ye.l
 What can do?" , #--1 s
 "Just nothing. I know MT. Morti- mer has determined to accept the dis grace, and he will go away. You can make his load as light as possible, for my sake" .<@ .a
 The small hand on his arm was VI dWlA5 u1uA lO dCAo1CoSCAANCrs $AAC SiA0 not answer at once, but sat moodily diagnosing his position. If he hushed the matter up Mortimer would go away under a cloud, and his removal from the presence of Allis might effect a change in her regard. He would accelerate this wished-for elision of love by procuring absolutely indisput- able proof of Mortimer's dishonesty. He saw his opening to that end; he could do it under the guise of clear ing the innocent one of the suspected two. What you ask" he said is very little; I would do a thousand times more for you. There is nothing you could ask of me that would give me more pleasure than anything else in, my barren life. But could not bear to see you welded to Mortimer: he is not worthy-you are too good for
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