The Washington herald., 1907-06-16

/ p0ated. What man? What do you
mean? I don't understand"
Bessie brought her face forward sharp
ly into the light of the lamp that burned
on the round center table
why, the name of the man who muir
dered Mr. Lancaster" she said quickly.
/ You don't believe in Hettys guilt? You
know better than that. / guess? Lor"'
/ She passed her hand cross her face and
drew a deep breath.
He leaned forward quickly.
Bessie he cried. DO you mean that
after all you have never doubted Hettyg'
Her black eyes flashed and srarkled.
Her red lips relaxed and she threw back
her head sharply, her white teeth show
ing between them.
"Oh. ! ought TO be on a stage instead
Of in a milI,' she cried I've just been
actin a play and deceivin' everybody.
and I reckon I've done il grand Doubt
Hetty? Could you believe l shouldg"
She sat upright I'm her chair and her
manner altered suddenly The laughter
died out of her face, and the look Of
anxiety and misery swept back sharply
into f..
Tt was all part Of my plan. But I've
nearly lost everything through IT," she
added. suddenly you've only Just
come in time. He's tired Of it ALL and SO
am 1, and I was jest sick with misery to
think how ! was 10 explain il 10 him. and
how he'd take it-but you'll do il. Oh.
somehow surely it'll be all right now for
us all"
But I don't understand" Godfrey said
again. Tell me what it is you have been
doing-what you mean?"
She brought her hand down upon the
table. Her bright. black eyes cleaned
sharply in the light Of the lamp. her
breath came quickly from between her
red lips.
You can guess why I took up with
Barker? You amt a fool you'd know
as a girl you'd alwis known 10 be honest
with you wouldn't turn on a student. eh?
Yet Ted didn't. Cos he couldn't under
stand, he couldn't believe" her voice
broke in a little sob. and then. with sud
den impatience, she changed 1t into a
laugh and dashed the back Of her hand
across her eyes. But that's the way
o. men," she added, they're like children
the smartest on 'em. and Ted Sealey was
no better than the rest, and when l took
up with Barker he wouldn't believe what
] said-he thought / was playin fast
and loose with him, and wouldn't wait a
bit like l told him to."
She broke off agin. and lifting her
head, looked into Geoffrey's eyes with a
sudden shadow back In her own.
But II warn't fair" she added; II
ought to a told him why l did It. but he
was that dead set and that hard on Hetty
l didn't dare That was why l had 60
do it all on my own. l took up with
Barker and pretended to doubt her-I pre-
tended to let him persuade me O her
guilt, and all the time-all the time l
could a strangled him with my own
hands, could-the cur The sneak, Oh.
I've only know'd since I've took up with
Barker what a cur a man can be-
Godfrey stared at her almost stupidity
at her flashing black eyes, her passion-
ate face.
I thought of my plan," said Bessie
You can guess il all-how l laid traps
for Barker. pretendin' to admire him, and
believe what he said, and give the cold
shoulder to Ted-just for a purpose to
get Barker to give himself away"
TO give himself away?" Geoffrey gave
a startled gasp for breath.
Bessie nodded.
Il thought It were him as did it." she
said, I thought he was the one as put