Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

more frequent. There has never been the
slightest possibility of a surgical opera
ton. From the very first it was utterly
hopeless. and If it had been the dog there.
should have put a bullet through his
head and considered myself friend" Cor
don gaZed with miserable reflection at the
dog. Il am glad that the direct cause OF
that mans death was not what it might
have BEEN he said.
He shook himself again as a dog shakes
of water He laughed miserable laugh.
We'll" he said. ''Clemency is free now.
She can go her ways as she will. You see
she resembled her mother SO closely that
l had to guard her from even the sight
of her father He would have known the
truth at once. Clemency is free. but have
paid an awful price for her freedom and
for your life. If had not done what you
doubtless know did that night, you would
have been shot, and it would have been
struggle between myself and her father,
with the very good chance of my being
killed, and Clara and the girl left defense
less. His revolver carried six deaths in 1t.
II would all have depended upon the quick
hess of the dog, and should have left too
much hanging upon that"
II don't see what else you could do"
James said In a low voice. He was pale
himself. He did not blame Gordon. He
felt that he himself, In Gordon's place,
would have done he had DONE and yet
he felt as IL faced close to horror of MUIR
der and death, and he knew from the look
upon the other mans countenance that II
was the same with him.
Il saw no other way" Gordon said in
broken voice, ''but-but 1 don't know
whether 1 am a murderer or an execu-
toner, and l never shall know. God help
me! Well" he added with sigh what
is done. is done. Let us go to bed,
James said when they parted at his room
door that he hoped Mrs. Ewing would have
a comfortable night.
Eyes, she WILL" replied Gordon quietly.
Then he gave the young mans hand a
warm clasp. God bless you! he whispered
IF this had turned you against the child
1t would have driven me madder than am
now. l love her as If she were my own.
You and your loyalty are all 1 have to
hold to-
You can hold to that to the end" James
returned with warmth, and he looked at
Gordon as he might have looked at his
own father.
Late as it was, he wrote that night TO his
own father and mother telling them of his
enga cement to Clemency. There now can
be no possible need for secrecy with re-
gard to it. James, in spite of his vague
sense of horror, felt an exhilaraton a the
thought that now all could be above board,
that the shutters could be flung open. He
felt as If an incubus had rolled from his
mental consciousness. Clemency herself
experienced something of the same feeling.
She appeared at the breakfast table the
next morning with her hat. Uncle says l
may go with you on your rounds, she
said to James. She beamed. and yet there
was q troubled and puzzled expression on
her pretty face. When she and James had
started, and were moving swiftly along
the country road, she said suddenly, "Will
you tell me something?"
James hesitated.
Twill you?" she repeated.
II can't promise, dear" he said.
"Why not?' she asked pettishly.
because It might be something which
ought not to tell YOU.
you ought to tell me everything if
If" she hesitated, and blushed.
'If what?' asked James tenderly.
She nestled up to him. If you-feel tor
ward me as you say you do.
"If. Oh. Clemency"
'Then you ought to tell me. No, you
needn't kiss me. / want you TO tell me
well. what is it that you want to know.
dear2"
'Wiu you promise to tell me?"
NO dear l can't promise, but I will tell
you IL am able without doing you harm
who was that man who was buried yes
terday. who had been hunting me so long,
and frightening me and Uncle Tom, and
why have ! been compelled to stay housed
as IL were a prisoner SO much of my LITER
Because YOU were in danger, dear, from
the man."
You are answering me in circle" Glenn,
ency sat upright and looked at James. and
the blue fire in her eyes glowed. WHO was
the MANI" she asked peremptorily.
II can't tell you dear.
But you know"
"Why can't YOU tell me. thenr'
Because il Is not best"
Clemency shrugged her shoulders. why
did he hunt NE so?
II can't tell you. DEAR.
But you know.
''I am not sure"
But you think you know
Yes"
Then tell me-"
1T can't DEAR"
when will you tell me?"
"Never!
Clemency looked at him. and again she
blushed. you will tell me after-we are
married. You will have to tell me every
thing then" she whispered.
James shook his head.
Wont you thenr
"No dear. shall never tell You Willie
live"
Clemency made q sudden grasp at the
CONTINUED on Seventh Page)