Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-29
THE SQUAW MAN
A NOVEL EuLIE FAvERsHAM.
q Brol

would cover up the same-but Il wouldn't
No: no Earl OF Kerhil must go into his
tory as a"
Thief Henry supplied the word. II
WAS relief to speak IL. You might as
well say it-no one else will hesitate 10 do
So"
His voice shook. but he still maintained
his stoicism.
You had no intention To do wrong my
poor boy. | know It. but no one will believe
that but your suppose" It's my fault too IA
some way, suppose" The agonized moth
ers consciousness OF failure In shaping her
childs character broke from her I'd
willingly take the blame my shoulders
IL could
He held her hands tighter. She knelt be
side him
Let's see. No one has had anything to
90 with the fund except you. Chswlck.
and Jim'-the thought Of Jim brought re-
assurance. Jim perhaps could help them I'm
some way to evade discovery. "Jim-Jim."
she reiterated
Henry answered her unspoken thought.
J i'm and auarreied last night"
Quarreied-about WHAT
Diana"
DIANA"
They were spooning last night caught
them. He loves Dt''-and under his breath
he cursed him She hardly heard the last
words Jim loved Diana-her resolve was
formed. She must see Jim.
henry, try to co1trol yourself and re-
'uiH ~ our guests. Let no leave this
afternoon under the impression that you
are In trouble"
"Why'-he began to expostulate-but she
mad already left the prayer closet and was
pulling the faded bell rope in the library
A servant quickly answered
Tell Capt Wynnegate that I wish TO
speak to him here" Quietly sire command
ed Henry. leave this to me-
At first he was inclined to refuse: then
touched by her supreme devotion and part
~ because he dreaded an interview with
JAM ne agreed TO return to the garden.
You've pulled me out of many a scrape,
mother he said. as he drew her close TO
him. "God-f you gain time for me In
this'-with the words. hope began to re-
vive.
Go, she only answered as she pointed
him to his duty.
Furtiveiy. from behind the curtains. she
watched him join the bishop She dreaded
to lose sight of him; the awful vision was
ever before her. Her mind swung chaoti-
cally from her fear of the previous night
to the salvation that must he gained for
Henry. Could Jim help? What IL all that
remained OF the estate were to be sold and
Jim were willing to give what he could
OF all save honor. Why should she not at
tempt this? But even she reasoned she
knew It was useless: all save the entaiied
portions OF Henrys Inheritance were in
the corridor
Bates says you want me, aunt"
AS Jim stood before her. his face, with
the purple shadows under his eyes and its
grim resoluteness. told her much Yes-he
loved Diana. Her keen eyes that took I'm
every phase Of the boys nature and every
expression on his face. could easily see the
desperate marks which the struggle of the
night had left upon him.
jim. Henry tells me that you have quar-
relied: but for the moment we must forget
all personal differences. We are face to
face with crisis which affects us an: you
IA 70
dishonor"
All. so Henry has been gambling again."
Jim vaguely answered. Did this mean fur
Their anxiety for Diana? He was conscious
OF curious lightheadedness that made all
OF the days work-even this possible I'M
happiness for his aunt and Diana-seem
faint and blurred. The dead-level of his
tone made Lady Elizabeth answer sharply:
Worse-infinitely worse than a card
debt Henry has borrowed an enormous
sum OF money which 1t is absolutely Inn
possible for him to repay"
borrowed? | had no idea Henrys credit
was good"
Elizabeth Kerhill saw that his mind was
only half grasping what she was trying to
tell hm-that he thought 1t only another
of Henry's peccadilloes. She laid her hand
on his shoulder.
Henry used the Fund to try to cover the
loss of his last possession. which he has
sunk in huge speculation"
Jim quickly looked up.
The Fund-what Fund? Not the"
Yes. the Relief Fund
why. that's embezzle-"
But his aunt's feverish hand STOPPED the
word. She chung to Jim as she piteousy
said, Henry intended to replace it,"
Poor Diana. poor Dianay' The words
slipped from him and then as he locked at
the terrible eyes full of this bitter knowl-
edge he quickly threw his arms protecting
ly about his aunt. Poor Aunt, poor Aunti'
Yes, we women must bear our sins alone,
and you men make bear yours, too"
swered. as he caressed her hand. He found
1t difficult to say more: he was tired. yet
he must struggle to grasp what 1t all
meant
TT will ruin your prospects. too, JIM I'm
AFRAID 1t will be impossible for you to re-
main here after this" She began to under
stand why she had sent for Jim. Like him.
her mental condition was at its lowest ebb
she, too. was exhausted What were Jlm's
thoughts? Why didn't he speak? There
had been a new resolve on his face when
he first came in response to her summons.
'Oh It doesn't matter about me-" Jim
reused himself to say. Il don't represent
leaving England-why not tell the TRUTH
The tragedy that the night had wrought
was far more difficult for him to face than
this crime of Henry's. Then into his tired
would mean to the woman he loved. But
Diana"-he continued-"she is proud
woman; her father Is a proud mamie is in
delicate health. 1t will Kill him. You took
from Diana her own proud name to give
her ours. God-ths scandal will ring from
one end OF the empire to the other. d.
Di-" he could think only Of her now
she's city set on htll-she'll be the OBJ
ject of pity and the tattle Of every back
stair In England. It's monstrous-it's mon
strous" Suddenly in the midst OF his vehe-
ment despair for Diana he became con-
scious that his aunt was watching him His
entire cry had been selfishly for Diana.
"Oh. forgive me-forgive me-" he pleaded.
And you-what will become Of your
II don't believe I could survive it,"
Why was she rejecting Henry she asked
herself. Did she hope to accomplish with
Jim what Henry last night had done with
her?
Hush. hush! You must not talk like
that" Jim entreated
Her strength was beginning to fail her.
Jim placed her gently in a chair.
Jim. can't you help? Can't you think OF
some way to help US ALP
What money ! have wouldn't be a drop
In the bucket. But you can have it." He
added. quietly, I'm leaving England-don't
question me why-but I'm going
Jim was going. He meant to sacrifice
himself In any case to his great love. II
he had only gone before this discovery had
been made-the unspoken thought that had
been struggling at the back of her subcon-
seriousness began to form words that. If she
1nr l. tv,,k fa,. .,af-