The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-01

'No. Laura, not" he cried suddenly and fiercely. Not even your hand till l have told you. Is your father in7"
 NO. Jack. she replied calmly; "he has gone to Brandersham to buy some farm implements. He will not De back until II o'clock. What has hap pened? Come and sit here by the nre and tell me- She spoke quietly, all most soothingly, as mother might speak to a child. He came forward slowly. and did not look at her. as ne flung his great body into an armcnair. For few seconds she looked down at him, half in pity and half in fear. But. whatever her feelings were. she let no trace of them be seen by the man who might need her help and sympa- thy. She sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace. John ShiPs race was buried in his hands, and for few moments neither of them spoke. The woman was the first to break the si- lence.
 well, Jack" she said quietly, what have you to tell me?" meaner wo- man would have asked why he had refused to take her hand, and might even have spoken in a tone Of annoy ance But Laura Vane knew well enough that her lover had intended no discourtesy. and that the act was inspired by high code of honor, ratn CT than by desire to wound her ieei- ings.
 He did not reply to her question. but remained motionless as statue She looked at him, and prayed quietly for strength. She knew now that something terrible must have occurred to so crush the strength and courage of the man
 "Come, Jack" she said cheerfully, "cowardice was never one Of your faults"
 Then he slowly raised his white face from his hands, looked into the eyes of the woman who loved him, found perhaps strength of purpose, and toio her all emitting nothing, conceaiihs nothing, sparing himself and her not a word of the whole truth.
 Laura yane listened to his narrative in silence, with her eyes fixed on the fire When he had finished, she did not look up from the dancing flames. The whole world swan in blaze or fierce light.
 Laura" the man cried hoarsely Took at me, speak to me--forsive me for what I have done. l was pima with passion. I did not intend-I was too late. did not know what was doing. It was too late--surely 1oo will forgive me for those few moments and vou-surely you will forgive me. Laura"
 q was not thinking of that" she replied slowly, 'I was thinking or what might happen, of whether--tne trunth will be known. Forgivenessf There is nothing for me to forgive. The blow was struck for me; any hon. orable man would have struck it; and, as for what foliowed--" She paused, moi knowing how to choose her words, and the face of Ben Holland seemed to leer at her from the heart of the flames.
 echoed.
 She raised her head and looked at him. His pleading eyes were fixed on her and his face was haggard with the agony of his soul. His strong hands were ciasped together, almost in an attitude of prayer. And as to what followed" he re- heated. "those few moments when I let man die without stretching out n hand to save him. We must face the truth. Laura. you apd l. It Is no use shutting our eyes. murdered Ben Holland"
 She rose to her feet with a look of horror on her face. It was almost too | brutal a word for woman's ears. "Yes." he cried springing to his feet and facing her, that is the truth, Nsnd we must face It..
 NAshe came closer to him and laid her hand oroAne is the judge of our
 God aio actions" she said quietly. .HSusnss as%t as for S eo not shrink from you" Nf love
 Her calm voice. and the look q