Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-07-13


said. Indeed You do. sir. have COM
United no crime. sir. and I am doing
all In my power TO prevent one; 70,
IL would be crime II It happened
although the law wouldn't call It so
cir"
She laid her hand on my shoulder
/ respectfully and then, tho old-fashion
ed. motherly way coming over her
/ she continued IN choking voice:
You must do IA I ask. Mr.. Ware.
+ Do not distrust mo, beg OF you,
sir. for havo 10 much to bear and
have borne II al 50 patiently and
so willingly. too. sir. Remember. I
have no fault 20 find. and Z an glad
to have been able to do what I have
done sir, bat the end IS so near
now that cannot bear to have every
/. thing go for nothing at the last"
Her eyes we're filed with tears. and.
90 what might, l could not doubt
her honesty and sincerity. Before I
could speak. she went on hurriedlv
locking about her IN an apprehensive
way:
Just believe IN me for a few DAYS.
sir. won't your Do this for your own
cake and for Miss Carney's and the
other young lady'R You win never
regret II. sir. I promise you; swear
st. SIR, on everything ] hold sacred.
and God knows I am q churchwoman
and hro IN fesr OF Him aud Els love
sir.-
For my life could do no more than
she asked. and. after a moments
hesitation. ! said slowly;
I must trust you, Mrs. Bruce but
must tell you that ! DO so against
my best judsneat do not SEQ how
al those things can DO explained sat
tnfacsorfly and they must be OK
planned soon IN every way. StM. I
believe that you are sincere IN what
you ten me. and, FOR the present at
least, viii ask no moro Questions. and
reiy upon you 20 fulhn your protesta-
lions OF good faith when tbs proper
Tine comes. You viii understand. OF
course, that IN spite OF this promise
! HhAn feel perfectly free az any time
70 take such stepa IN this matter as
may deem necessary, and. while 7
an Wiling % let things stand as
they are now FOR short tina
shall act promptly and effectively II.
hey nov % Otherwise suspicious cir.
Ogmstanoas- Rrise."
With thss9 T6fds turned and
wAlked down tho path In the direo-
hon Of CarnsyCroet, leaving her
standing by the gate, crying softly.
Tho next afternoon I took a boat on
the river and padded alulessH up and
down trying 70 kin time and watching
Tor an opportunity TO speak to Miss
Carney, whom I had not seen for two
days Miss Weston's condition was
growing steadily worse. and the arrfv-
al OF the nurses from town aad their
close attention 20 their patient.
With the frequent and anx-
ious visits OF the village physician.
served as a sufficient excuse for tho
hpIIied. departure OF al OF Miss Car.
neys guests except myself, who 70.
NAMED from a sense OF duty as well
as desire TO be near ~ hand AND
In a position 20 set myself right with
my hostoss on the nrst occasion that
offered.
Idid not so far from tho house, bat
rowed up and down the stream with
no particular objective polnt in mind
and only thinking OF what I unlrht do
In regard 20 Mrs. Bruoo. and. rnoet OF
al. how ! could hope TO again gain
Miss Carney'R good viii. n nothing
more, and explain. In the slightest do,
gree, my Outrageous behavior.
II 10 needless 70 say that Twas ia no
happy frame OF mind and. as allowed
the boat 70 drift slowly down stream
with the current, leaned over the
side and peered into the depths OF tho
hmpid water on which I was float
Ing
As drifted careleasly along IN this
lazy fashion finally came 20 a point
opposite that portion OF the bank
where the ghosts had disappeared 80
suddenly and mysteriously in the
bright moonlight Up to this time
my mind had been free from any
thought OF this feature OF the Carney
Croft puzzle, for the events OF the
past few days. together with my any
fety TO see Miss Carney and right
myself in her eyes. were more than
enough to occupy my entire attention
Tor the moment
The realiEatioo Of my position or
the shore. however. served 70 recall
Vivtdty the spectral scene of the sum
Qer, and I again began TO speculate
as 70 tie manner In which tho ghost
like 1guree had managed to disappear
from view IA such en- effectively So
parpAtaral way.
While ] was pOndering OVER this
problem snd wondering II I was ever
TO ecfvo II with any degree OF satss-
facxiou. noticed a alight commo-
don In tbs water between me aud the
Shore such as might have been made
by beevsr OF musIrraE
In another moment a mans head
apposred above the surface and then.
With Wild hook a. E1e end my boat.
not % ,1rfs distant. be give q con-
vuistve sputter and disappeared again
With q plunge hke that OF a porpoase
piaJins under the bow OF q ship
The vater was bitterly cold. for II
wae now near the end OF October. ana
there was . chill In the ar which
fpreto]d the coming or snow, yet al
though pet-oiled the spot for near
~ half an hour and had clear view
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