The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-08-18

7 want TO apologize for what I ala
IN Berlin, or rather for coming 20
Berlon," ne began. Il was wrong and
! beg your pardon"
"1hnt Is not she 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 VAS inso-
lent but II was In harmony with a
greater anlont which preceded u,
and one OF which no gentleman would
be guilty. II you have nothing o
appropriate to say. leave me. sirll"
Il have; I havel" cried Morris. COW.
ering before her gaze. Pray be seat
ed. Miss Garden, and-and give me a
chancel"
4 should not" she said coldly.
Il know the time you mean. Miss
Garden His face flushed a deeper
red and he looked at her with ap-
pealing eyes. you mean that afair
at 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 l am, Miss Garden, and
| want 70 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
and remove the stain OF disgrace.
She realized that the man who had
crushed her father was now In her
power, and felt that triumphant joy
which only a woman can know. But
Il 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 a future revenge. and turned
10 him with a softer light in her eyes
Il should not forgive you. she said.
when a man who pretends 70 your
position so far fOrgets himself, he
He should then seek 10 redress the
wrongs caused by his o1ense. Are
you prepared Q do that, Mr.. Morris? ?"
4 don't exactly understand what you
mean, Miss Garden"
4 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 10 take steps to absolye
him7 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 a
puzzled expression. "'Pon my word.
/ don't. We had a beastly row in
which I got shot, and all the fellows
who we're with me say | started IT,
and that the pistol went OF In my own
hand. / assur you hat ] don't re-
member a thing about H. The gov
ernor offered the reward. / can get
him to withdraw Il. and put a notice
in the papers promising that no pros
ecution shall be made. IN do any
thing you say. Miss Garden"
Publicly the withdrawal
OF the reward and state that he will
not be prosecuted" said Jessie. as IL
the matter was merely one Of alb
stract Justice. "And II you are con-
hdent that l shall not again be en-
barrassed by your indiscretiOns | will
try 20 overlook the past"
you are very good" he exclaimed.
enusiyely. Its more than l deserve,
but you viii not regret 1t, Miss Car.
den. Ny governor and yours are
mixed up in business. and it's a beast.
~ shame. don't you know. that we
should be at odds. BY the way. I'm
awfully sorry about the generals hnsn-
cial troubles. Hope he pulls out OF
them all right. and think he will. I'm
trying nov 10 make a deal which viii
help him out And you're not angry
with me now. are you. Miss Carden7
Let's shake hands and call Il squareg"
Morris extended a clammy hand.
and Jessie. with an Inward shudder.
permitted him 10 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 a thrill
ling wickedness NJ the tacit encour.
aEement HhQ had given him.
Ito be co%ntinuedD