Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-15
CHAPTER xI.-(Continued.)


How can I thank you?" she muir
INJURED
BY eating all you can" he returned
And she did endeavor to show her
gratitude in that way. From time to
time she looked at him with a glance
of dread and apprehension.
you are not afraid of me, Miss
North, hope?" he said at last, pleas
antly. He was smiling now, as he sat
on q rock near by watching her eat,
which she did with that ravenous ap-
petite that comes of absolute starva-
ton.
Excuse me-" she said, after an evil
dent effort, "but you are the same
gentleman who called at our house
who used to know my father?"
Thomas flushed little and his eyes
hell.
Miss North" he said, II don't in
tend to deceive you. l am newspaper
reporter"
She uttered slight scream and
dropped her knife and fork into her
plate. At another time Thomas would
most certainly have laughed aloud at
the unmistakable CONSERVATION pro-
duced by the announcement of his pro-
hession. AS it was, he depressed mis-
tendency to smile when he saw her
lips whiten under the cruel apprehen-
sion that had sprung to life within
her.
you mistrust me. Miss North" he
said, gravely.
"Oh, no." she returned, in voice
barely audible. And added Immediate
ly: For PHYS sake, sir, do you in
tend to print what told you when
was 80 crazy awhile ago?"
DO I, Miss North? 1t depends
upon whether or not you go on with
your dinner"
ooh, how can you joke about thing
Qike this?"
Miss North, am not joking.
never was more serious in my life 1t
is absolutely imperative that you eat"
The poor girl tried to pre- h.tiate him
by swallowing few hasty 4southfuls,
but it was evident that he had taken
her appetite away. She regarded him
with look Of pathetic appeal.
ooh, SIR" she exclaimed, suddenly.
II am only poor girl, and chance has
placed me completely at your mercy.
Don't torment me, beseech you. Tell
me the worst at once. What do you
intend to do with me?''
ITO save you," answered Thomas.
ITO save me?" she repeated, help,
lessly. From what?"
From the consequences of your con-
duct"
"Mine!" she exclaimed What do
you mean? have done nothing"
Pardon me" said Thomas. You
forget the pistol which you threw
away. and your flight from home.
She stared at him for a long time
like statue.
And you believe" she began at
last, with an awful look in her face.
ri believe nothing he interrupted,
$50 much as believe you. Miss North.
1t is not question of me, but OF the
police"
The police!" she stanmered.
Miss North said Thomas, 81
would not brighten you needlessly, but
I feel compelled to tell you that you
have placed yourself, in the eyes of the
law, in very equivocal position. I'm
less you can give full explanation
of your conduct"
'sOh, SIR" she broke in, II can tell
the police ENTHUSIASTICALLY moth
ing"
She wrung her hands and looked
about her apprehensively.
Its not because am guilty of any,
thing-oh, sir, you know that! But
cannot say what l have thought, what
have been compelled to believe in
spite of myself. l have said things
to you already when did not realize
what was doing which never meant
And you-on your honor, sir!-won't
you keep my secret?"
Il will do everything I can for your
sister, for your sake" said Thomas.
But must ask you one question:
What reason had you to believe ner
guilty?"
Il do not believe it. No, will not
acknowledge that ever really believed
It, But for one moment when her
strange actions seemed unaccountable
upon any other supposition, but it
was mistake, sir. l am sure Of it..
She could explain everything if she
would"
There, there!" said Thomas, sooth-
lngly. Don't get excited. You are
as safe with me as you could possibly
be with anyone. l simply wanted to
have the assurance from your lips that
you are unaware of the fact of any
crime"
ooh, believe me, SIR
Il do, Miss North. l believe you i'm
plicitly, and l will do everything in
my power to help YOU"
you are very noble, SIR"
"You f1atter me-" said Thomas,
ayerting his eyes. 81 have sisters Of
my own, and
The girl clasped her hands.