The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-06-07

10 IL over again. IL was justice"
She was shivering as from strong
wind. I'll don't think 1 understand
yet" she said.
II have led ruined life" he went on
hurriedly. "My past record is not
pretty one, and yet there is no act of
my life which l regret so little as the
one for which they are running me
down. 1t was deed of honor, though
it left blood upon my hands
Her quivering face was turned away.
II reached New York with the assist
ance of Il friend. the only man on earth
who knows and believes in me- He
secured Il stateroom from an l.. Smith,
who was delayed. l took his name as
safeguard, and when saw yours be-
side me at table l concluded he was
your husband. and played his part in
the eyes Of the passengers. 1t succeed
ed We'll" He laughed bitterly. Law
renee was Il guess" he added.
Then before her stricken eyes his
recklessness fell from him. "Oh, if
could undo this" he said, 81 would go
back gladly to stand my chances of the
gallows'-
A sob broke from her 'Hush." she
said wildly. "Have you no mercy
none?"
You must believe this" he went on
passionately, that at the last 1 loved
you. You must believe"
She shook her head almost delirious-
ly.
you must believe it," he repeated
savagely. "If could make you be-
lieve it, would lie down to let you
walk over me. You must believe that
have loved you as l have loved no
other woman in my life-as l could
love no other woman but you. You
must believe that" He put out his
hands as If to touch her, but she shrank
away.
mo, no." she cried And she fed
into the obscurity of the deck.
All that night she sat upon the edge
of her berth. Her eyes were strained,
and she stared blankly at the foam
breaking against the portfolio. Thought
hung suspended, and she felt herself
rocking mentally like ship in open
sea. She saw her future brought to
bay before the threatening present, and
she glanced furtively around in search
of some byway of escape. The walls
of the little stateroom seemed closing
upon her, and she felt the upper berth
bearing down. She sobbed convulsive-
ly. 1T was so short" she said.
When she came upon deck next day
1t was high tide, and the steamer was
drawing into Liverpool. She wore
closely fitting jacket and carried
small bag in her hand Through her
lowered veil her eyes showed with
scarlet lids, as IL she had been weep
ing. The crowd of passengers, leaning
ly, and she caught glimpse of the
English landing, peopled by strange
English faces. a sob stuck in her
throat, and she fell hastily into COR
ner. She dreaded setting foot upon a
strange shore. She heard the excited
voices vaguely, as she heard them sew
en- days ago upon sailing. They grated
upon her ears with the harsh insistence
of unshared gayety and made her own
unhappiness the more poignant.
"Why, there is jack rang out the
voice of a woman in front of her.
"Lend me the glasses. Yes, it is Jack.
He came up from London to meet me-"
Then the steamer drifted slowly to
the landing, and the voyage was over.
| She saw the gangways swung across,
and she saw dozen men stroll lei
| ho,l
'.There is no harm in goodby," said a
voice at her side.
She turned hastily. He was looking
down upon her, his eyes filled with the
old haunting gloom. "Goodby," she
answered.
He held out his hand "And you will
go home like sensible woman and
forget?"
81 will go home"
His face whitened. "And forget"
Perhaps"
.It is wise"
She looked up at him. her eyes wet
with tears. ooh, how could you?" she
cried brokenly. "How could you?"
He shook his head. Don't think of
U!e, lie IcSpOuueu. ~ ID uol WOIlu
the trouble"
The hand that held her bag shook
nervously. 81 wish had never seen
you," she said.
Then voice startled them.
$50 you have got your wife safely
across, Mr.. Smith," it said, "and no
worse for the voyage. May have the
pleasureY"
1t was the ships surgeon, a large
man with jovial face. Il am afraid
1t was not the brightest of honey
moons" he added, with attempted ia
seriousness. She looked up, her face
paling sudden terror in her eyes.
A man with telegram In his hand
passed them, glanclng from right to
left. He stopped suddenly, wheeled
round and came toward them.
All at once her voice rang clear. She
laid her hand upon the arm of the man
beside her. ut is a honeymoon" she
said. and she smiled into the surgeons