The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-08-23

There sat Polly IN her best golon
man. I cannot think him guilty any
more than could think 1t of you, but
there's deep mystery in it ALL 1t has
made me wretched. Every one thinks
you know more than you have told"
"a beautiful mysteryw the young
man whispered. "IIe thought 1 should
be convicted. Who wouldn't? think
he loved me, so that he took the shame
and the suffering to save me-"
He would have died for you" she
answered, "but, Sidney, it was dread
full TO let them take him away. Couldn't
you have done something's"
Something, dear Polly! And I with
a foot in the graveT"
"Where did you go that night?
~ do not know, but In the morning
l found myself In our great pasture
and was Ill. Some instinct led me
home, and, as usual. had gone across
lots" Then he told the story of that
day and night and the illness that fol.
lowed.
II, too, was ILL.," said Polly, "and I
thought you were cruel not 20 come to
me- When began to go out of doors
they told me you were low with fever.
Then | got ready to go to you and that
very day l saw you pass the door.
thought surely you would come to see
me. but you went away"
Polly's lips were trembling, and she
covered her eyes.
Saa.aI 60 I. zat.t ~
"You and every one, except my moth
er, were determined that should mar
ry Roberts, Polly went on He has
been urgent, but you, Sidney, you
wouldn't have me. You have done ev.
erythfng you could to help him. Now
I've found you, and I'm going to tell
you all, and you've got to listen to me.
He has proof, he says, that you are
guilty of another crime. and-and he
says you are now fugitive trying to
escape arrest"
A little silence followed. In which
Trove was thinking of the Hope let
ters and Of Roberts claim that he was
engaged to Polly.
"You have been wrapped In mys-
teries long enough. l shall not let you
go until you explain she continued.
There's no mystery about this" said
Trove calmly. Roberts Is a rascal,
and that's the reason I'm here"
She turned quickly, with q look of
surprise.
Of no crime, but he does know that l
am looking for Louis Leblanc, and he
has fooled me with lying letters to
keep me out of the way and win you
with his guile"
A serious look came into Polly's eyes.
"You are looking for Louis Leblanc"
she whispered.
to free Darrell, for l am sure that
Leblanc committed the crime. ! shall
know soon after meet him."
"How?"
IF he should have certain mark
on the back of his left hand and were
to satisfy me In two other details I'd
give my life to one purpose-that of
making him confess. God help me! l
cannot find the man. But shall not
give up. l shall see the governor"
Turning her face away and looking
out of the window she felt for his
hand. Then she pressed 1t fondly.
That was the giving of all sacred
things forever, and he knew It,
~ do love you, Polly" said Trove at
length. "rve answered your queries,
all Of them, and now It's my turn, II
we were at Robins Inn should put
my arms about you and l should not
let you go until-until you had prom
ised to be my wife"
"And l should not promise for at
least an hour" said she, smiling, as she
turned, her dark eyes full of their new
discovery. Let us go home"
"pm going to be imperative" said
he, "and you must answer before will
let you co.
Dear Sidney" said she, lets wait
until we reach home. It's too bad to
spoil 1t here. But she whispered,
looking about the room. "you may kiss
me once now"
~ must get work somewhere. My
money is gone" said Trove.
Money" said she, opening her purse.
"I'm Lady Bountiful. Think Of 1t.
I've $500 here. Didn't you know Riley
Brooke Cancelled the mortgagel Mother
had saved this money for payment"
Cancelled the mortgage" said Trove.
"Yes, the dear old tinker repaired
him, and now he's new man. I'll
give you Job, Sidney"
"What to do?"
go and see the governor. and then
and then you are to report to me at
Robins Inn. Mind you, there's to be
no delay, and I'll pay you. Let's see,
I'll pay you hundred dollars"
Trove began to laugh.
II shall stay tonight with cousin
at Burlington. Oh, there's one more
thing-you're to get new suit of
clothes at Albany, and, remember, 1t
must be very grand"
1t was near train time. and they left
the Inn.
"I'm going to tell you everything"
said she 40 they were on their way to
the depot. the day after tomorrow
am 10 see that dreadful Roberts. I'm