Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-09

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. I hope?" be said at last. pleas
anuy. He was smiling now. as he sat
on 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 evi-
dent effort but you are the same
gentleman who called az our house
who used 20 know my father?"
Thomas flushed a little and his eyes
fell.
Miss North he said. Il don't in
tend 90 deceive you. I am a newspaper
reporter"
She uttered a 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-
iession. AS 10 was. he repressed mis-
tendency to smile when be 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 a voice
barely audible And added immediate
ly: For PHYS sake. sir do you IN
tend to print what 7 told you when
was $50 crazy awhile ago?"
DO l. Miss North2 IL denends
upon whether OF not YOU go on with
your dinner"
~oh. how can you joke about a thing
like this2"
Miss North. Z ann not Joking.
never was more serious iu my life. II
is absolutely imperative that YOU eat.''
The poor girl tried to propiuate him
Toy swallowing few hasty mouthfuls
but Dc was evident that he had taken
her appetite away She recarded him
with a look OF pathetic appeal.
"Oh. sir" she exclaimed suddenly
u am only poor GIRL and chance has
placed me completely az your mercy
Don't torment me- I beseech YOU. Tell
me the worst at once What DO YOU
intend to DO with me2"
ITO save you" answered Thomas
ITO save me2" she repeated. help
lessiy From whst2'
From Che consequences Of your CON
duct"
"Nfiucf" sho evrrsfr,.I ..y,-A-.
you mean i have done nothing"
Pardon me- said Thomas You
forget the pistol which you threw
away and your flight from home"
she stared az him for a long time
like q statue.
And you believe" she began az
last. with an a"tu. look iu her face
u believe nothing De interrupted
SO much as believe you. Miss North
II Is not a question OF ue. bet OF the
police"
"The police" She staumercd
Miss North said Thomas. Il
would not friph eu You needIessly. but
] feel compelled to tell YOU that YOU
have placed yourself M the eyes OF the
law. in a very eguiyocaI position. I'm
less you can give a fun explanation
Of your conduct"
oh sir" she broke In. 81 can tell
the police nothing absolutely moth
Ing"
She wrung her hands and looked
about her apprehensively.
Its not because am guilty OF any
thing-oh sir. YOU know thar But
cannot say what have thought. what
! have been compelled To believe in
spite OF myself have said things
20 you already when / did not realize
what I was doing which / never meant
10 have repeated 10 any human being.
And you-ou your honor. sir!-won't
you keep my secret2"
Il will do everything can for your
sister, for your sake" said Thomas
But / must ask you one question
What reason had YOU 10 believe ne-
guilty?"
Il do not believe it. No. / will not
acknowledge that / ever really believed
II. But for one moment when her
strange actions scanned t,nacoorr+ob HE