Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-03-28

lose, Olive Dumbarton's distress was
pitiful TO witness.
One thing alone served after awhile
to rouse her thoughts and stir her ener-
gies. The man who loved her must not
be allowed to lie under the imputation
of crime, to which she felt sure he
had falsely confes d. lie must learn
while yet there was time that she would
not accept this sacrifice of him; or, il,
indeed, time was already thing cf the
past for him, then his mem ~ must be
cleared, his innocence vindicated before
the world and the less delay there was
made in the undertaking such n mission
the more readily might it be effected.
Mackworth was the man who best
could help her in this task, which she
foresaw would be difficult - accomplish;
for if the effort to prove her own blame
lessness had hitherto been unsuccessful,
how much more impossible might it be
to establish the innocence of one who
had confessed to guilt.
However, an effort in this direction
.,lu9' 1i,l eertainly be made, and accordingly
,l.y. que IeHt Tor the Inspector Her action
" nv tGhporary strength. and when
! MackwOrth was apno,rced eLa roeo
| Z "ll1Ol'lCBQ Nilt 1OSt
IRON the sofa where She hod 1ain since
her recovery, and prepared 70 ,,,an+ ,,,' h;,,,
q have heard Of Mr.. Bostoct,,n Inn da.,
ger" she said feverishly. How is he h.
have you heard any news since
| SINCE
Since his confession?' the inspector
said, supplying the word she found it
difficult TO employ. "No, madam; have
heard nothing since"
rs there no hope?"
81 fear not"
She sat down and pointed to a chair
near her, which he took, and then when
she had cleared the tears from her eyes
and braced herself, she began, i'll nerv-
Gus, agitated manner:
There's been a great mistake-of that
I am sure"
"How?" Mackworth asked, his mobile
face assuming an air of surprise.
In Mr. Bostock's confessing to a
crime of which he never was guilty"
Not guilty. exclaimed the inspector,
| still more amazed.
Il am certain he is innocent" she re-
piled hurriedly.
But what proof have you, MADAME
Il have no ab plute proof"
Maekworth looked at her eager,
flushed face, with its earnest, pitiful eX-
preston
II have none,' she repeated, aware
OF the little impression she made on him
and desperately anxious he should be-
lieve her But feel confident he, who
is one of the kindest, the most honor
able of men, would never commit such
crime Knowing his life is drawing
10 an end he has made this confession
to save me. That is all He is inno-
cent"
Then" asked Macltworth as his eyes
met hers in steady, searching stare, IF
he is innocent, who is guilty."
She read the thought which flashed
across his mind the thought Which
scared and made her tremble. :.
II cannot saw" she replied hurrledly'
but / know he i, not. -.
NAV I ask. madam, how you knows"
"Mv heart tells me, my woman's in
SIGHT assures me he is not" she an
swered, realizing how important was her
|argument.
"Such .Aings will weigh hardly against
his own cor fession."
She saw the force of his words, and
knowing she had no reason to combat
it, her misery increased, the while he
watched her silently new suggestions
arising in his mind
Presently she burst:
"Why not continue your ilvestiga-
tions as if he had never made this con-
fession%
Because his confession has justified
and brought my Investigations to all
end"
Il don't understand" she answered,
fear chilling her blood.
Because, madam, I have suspected
and been watching him for some tine,"
Mackworth said
Suspected him - impossiblel" she
cried out,
II assure you it is true"
'On what grounds ?"
Those which ! thought sufficient; I
cannot now enter into Details" he re-
Piled, anxious to spare her feelings by
Withholding from her the motive which
he considered led Bostock to the crime
II am sure that one day you will find
that you are wrong" she said, her anx-
iety visible in her eyes 'But is there
nothing that can be done meanwhile
nothing that will disprove his state
ments?"
Nothing" answered Mackworth, as
he rose to leave, nothing"
She did not seek to prolong an i'll
terview which had not only grievously
disappointed her, but filed her with de-
spair
"Nothing?" she repeated, and then
added, in a voice so low and broken
that the words seemed spoken to herself
rather than addressed to her hearer:
God will protect the innocent"
Mackworth bowed and softly quilted
the room, leaving her more hopelessly
crushed by sorrow than when he had
entered. But on regaining his home and
enjoying the welcome of Shawn, and
the warmth of his fire, at which he
held his feet by turns before making
himself ready for supper, the questions
which had persistently presented them