The Holly chieftain., 1904-08-26

said Jessie. addressing her hostess.
1t was a trying moment for Jessie
Garden. Before her stood the man
she hated. Why had fate cast him
as a reptile ever crawling across her
path? She longed to crush the SER
penis head with her tiny heel, yet
she knew that the snake had cum
ming; she knew that her father was
caught in his coils. Never until that
moment did she realize the damning
! power of money. or sound the depths
/ of wOman's hatred.
| May | say something to you, Miss
! Carden?" ventured Morris. I've
! wished to talk to you for long time
or rather to write something. but
bullets get ont of this crush so |
can explain myself"
Il do not care to listen to you, sir
Il beg of you. hear me for a mo.
| ment!" pleaded Morris. as Jessie
turned haughtily from him.
Since you seem determined to Gre
ate scene in which | am to be in
volved, | prefer the less conspicuous
disgrace of listening to YOU" she said
| bitterly. Here is a quiet corner
| What have you to say to me, SIR"
| Il want to apologize for what | did
in Berlin, or rather for coming to
Berlon,' 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 warning flash in her eyes.
Your intrusion in Berlin was inso-
lent, but 1t was in harmony with a
| greater affront which preceded it,
and one of which no gentleman would
be guilty. If you have nothing more
appropriate to say, leave me, sir.!"
Il have; I have!" cried Morris, cow
ering before her gaze. Pray be seat
ed, Miss Garden, and-and give me
chance!"
Il should not" she said coldly.
Il know the time you mean Miss
Garden" His face flushed a deeper
I red and he looked at. her with ap..
pealing eyes. You mean that affair
at the clambake. | was intoxicated.
Miss Garden. It's hard word, but
I'm going to be honest and throw my
self on your mercy. | am very, very
sorry; really | am, Miss 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 fathers brow
| She realized that the man who had
crushed her father was now in her
power, and felt that triumphant 10y
| which only woman can know. But
| it wounded and 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 future revenge, and turned
to him with softer light in her eyes.
| Il should not forgive you she said
When a 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 offense Are
you prepared 70 do that, Mr.. Morris ?"
| Il don't exactly understand what you
mean, Miss Garden"
Il will make myself plain said
Jessie. You attempted to murder
young man who resented your in.
suits in 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. "'Pon my word,
| l don't. We had a beastly row in
which l got shot, and all the fellows
| who were with me say | started it,
| and that the pistol went off in my own
| hand. l assure you that | don't re.
member thing about it. The gov.
ernor offered the reward. l can yet
| 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-
fident that | shall not again be EN-.
barrassed by your indiscretions | will
try to overlook the past"
you are very good" he exclaimed,
effusively. It's more than | deserve,
but you will not regret it, Miss Car
dem 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