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

IN DAM
Reporter Thomas had no time %
coustruCt theories to account for what
had happened For whatever reason.
Stella North was the woman he mad
unwittiugly followed. and Stella North
was the woman who now law in nt.
arms as devoid OF life. Co an appear.
ances as the twiEs upon which her
dainty feet were dragging. He looked
into her face Tor the moment with
helpless irresolutou The dictates of
common humanity would have inn
PEELED him to pity her but 40 was mo-
ordinary pity that filled his soul ON
this occasion. He had been aware
ever since tho day she flashed upon MIN,
that appealing glance as her sister v-gs
leading her from the room at swami
scott OF "a peculiar interest more r,-
mantle and tender. perhaps. than he
as matter-of-fact man was free to
admit 90 himself
Nut the present emergency demand
81 prompt action He could see p'ain-
j. enough that % was not merely
irishi that had caused her tO lose CON
seriousness. Nature had bestowed upon
her face charming in its natural
rouudness VI outline and ready sLways
20 break into dimp,ed smiles: but.
alas. horror and deprivation of sleep
and food had wrought wicked change
In a few days
As she lay with her head thrown
back. her lips parted. her eyes closed.
her hair strayed recElessIy about her
rtI
died after a painful illness. Thomas
fastened with her out of the sight OF
possible curiosity. A few steps brought
him deep enough into protecting
wood that friuged the roadside. and
here, IN the leaves beneath the trees
where the birds were singing. he lald
her gently down HIS experience in
the art Of restoring fainuug women
70 consciOusness had beer extremely
limited. but he believed in the efica-
ciouSness OF alcohol and always car
rled when travelling for use In an
emergency FLASK OF brandy A little
or this strong remedy poured down her
throat half straugled the victim. but
II awoke her. Her eyes opened and
she regarded him lansuidly. He had
seen dying bird look just that way.
Come Miss North you feel better
now. don't you?" he said. awkwardly.
as he supported her head upon his
arm. And when a sudden betrayal OF
fear and shame surged into her white
cheeks he fastened 20 add: There
now. there's nothing TO be afraid Of
Not the least ia the world"
She made an effort 10 disengage her
self and TO arise. but she was very
weak and she only sank back again
with pathetic sigh The tears came
into her eyes al once. and she was IN
able 10 conceal her weakness or TO
check it, Faster and faster they
chased each other down her cheeks.
Her face was wet with them.
Come, Miss North" he murmured.
this Will never do You must not give
way like this. Don't despair. If there
is anything wrong. you may depend
upon me % help you all ! can"
oh, it's not ! who need the help"
she moaned. quite light-headed BY rea-
son Of her long sunerings: and. grasp
ing his sleeve with her little hand. she
exclaimed with sudden. passionate in
NSAoANg vi ueu let lnem arrest
her. Don't let them hang her. Marion
never could have done IL in her right
mind. She was out OF her head. you
know. You are sure she was. are you
not?"
This unexpected entreaty was a sur
prise, but IL was a most welcome one
10 Thomas. He had not had an oppor-
tunity for deliberate thought since ne
had recognized who il was that had
thrown away the compromising weap-
on with the suspicious smudge upon it,
and fed from the North villa in the
most damaging Of circumstances: but
In a vague, general way, his heart had
been conscious OF the weight Of the ac-
eepted theory that she WAS In some
way implicated in the dark work of
the tragedy. And now these wild. hys-
terical words. delivered under the pres
sure of her overstrung emotions. gave
him more than a hope that she was
innocent Of any part in the hideous
crime.