The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-22

Ing in tIg sI1ssong Voice Which ba'
az a mere matter Of routine blasted b
many that afternoon. mo further IN
dictmcnts."
i ~This jury stands adjourned sin,
J de-" called the foreman.
I, Laughing and taking iika schoolb0ys
now that the long strain land been re
moved, the Jurors filed out Of the room
~
Molly Dwycr was baking brend In th,
kitchen OF her home, three miles from
tho county seat, and pretty picture
she made, her checks glowing from thu
ardent kiss Of tho fire, while her eyer
rfvalcd the Goals In brightness.
The snow was falling steadily. Sud
denly Molly stopped 10 listen. On the
crisp air came the faint chime OF sleigh.
bells. The sound grew louder momen,
by moment. Molly went to the window
10 watch. Around the turn OF the road
swept cutter drawn by a fne team
Of trotters.
A man In big fur coat was driving.
II wns Sam Hawkins, tho sheriff. and
the light faded from Moily's eyes as
she watched the team sweep gracefully
Into her fathers driveway and never
stop until II had brought up by the
side porch OF the house.
The sheriff spraDg from the sleigh.
and. without waiting even TO blanket
the horses. ruabed up the steps and into
the house. With the assurance OF the
accepted lover he nodded and smiled
genially to Molly's mother in the sit
ting room. but did not pause. Instead
he rushed into the kitchen and with d
cry OF delight swept Molly into his
arms He kissed her eagerly on face
and lips and hair. Although she sub.
mitted patiently 10 the caresses the girl
did not respond to them. and half I'M
conscious sigh Of relief escaped her
when the young man finally released
her and stood back beaming, to look at
her.
"Hurray. Mollyw he cried. "'The grand
jury has adjourned and I'm not In.
dicted.
WAS there any danger. SamT' she
asked quietly. although her attitude ex-
pressed intentness.
In his relief from the strain OF self
Imposed silence and gnawing anxiety
during the six weeks that the Jury had
been In session the man was too wrap
ped up In selfish Joy to notice anything
amiss.
WAS there any danger?" he echoed.
"Well. should think there was was
caught with the goods. all right. And
who do you think saved me? Old John
Kerns. DO you know. Molly" he bab-
bled on. almost drunk with exhilara-
tion, ! used to fancy Old John was
sweet on you. but ! saw my mistake
when ! heard what he did today
The girl was white about the lips.
but her voice was low. almost gentle.
Then you did steal from the county,
as they said you didp
Sam looked up quickly. for he had
noted the danger signal "Oh, no, Mol
ly; steal IN hardly the word, but
"Did you steal from the countyr
His face fell suddenly. "You won't
let me explain he began again.
"Did your"
II suppose some OF them call II
stealing. What OF It? I'm going to
pay II back" Then rage at the men
responsible for this complication over.
came him. 1T serves them right. They |
put me up to knock me down, and |
they'll have to watch things the bal |
ance OF my term; that's all. But what |
Of III" he asked.
What Of III" Her scorn and loath-
Ing seemed to crush him.
what Of Il? This much: No Dwyer
ever married thief. and I'm not GO
Ing to be the first one. Here's your
ring - mechanically he took the ex-
tended bauble and slipped II In his
pocket--"hut before you 20 ! want to
ell you why John Kerns got you off,
because he thought | loved you and
hat II would break my heart IL you
we're indicted; that's why. And. thank
God, I've found out before it's too late
hat John Kerns cares that much for
ne, because"-and she raised her head
proudly II care for him just as
much" Then she went crimson, for
xerns stood in the doorway.
As John advanced into the room
With face allght the sheriff slipped out
Without word. The chime OF his
lelghbells grew fainter and fainter,
o die out finally in the distance. And