The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-02

serisuality of his soul within. The mouth and chin told their own story. They spoke of vice, without the excuse which vice can find in weakness. and of strength, without .-the sense of morality which alone makes strength a virtue fin a man.
 He looked at her for few moments with a faint smile on his lips. Then | he walked over to the door,. opened it, and looked out into the empty hall Apparently satisfied with the result of his inspection, he closed the door, and returned to within a few feet of Laura Lane Now look here, Laura" he said quietly, "I have no time for a quarrel; I have come to see you on important business. You are a sensiblea woman and must listen to what have to say to you"
 For reply she turned her hack on him and faint flush came into his lean, hard face. But he came closer to her. and Ieant over her, so that his chin almost touched her hair.
 Are you going to listen to me. Laura?" he said in a low steady voice. 'or shall I go straight from this room to the police and tell them that I saw John Shil murder a man in the Round Plantation this evening?"
 She whipped round on him, and sprang back with a white face and ter TOT in her eyes.
 You lier she cried fiercely. "It was an accident You lie, l tell you, you liei You know 1t was an acci- dent, you know" She stopped. sec ing the fatal mistake she had made. William Tankerlane, smiled and shrug- ged his shoulders.
 T see you know all about it," he said. John Shil has told you his own story. do not wish to harp on so painful subject, but as my own narrative will probably differ somewhat from his, l think 1t is my duty to tell you what actually occurred"
 You may tell me what you please, she replied slowly. T know the truth"
 Tn a few words, simply, without lie or exaggeration, William Tankerlane told the truth. Save that he spoke as a mere spectator, and that feeling and motives had no part in his story, his ac- count differed in no wise from that which had been given by John Shil-
 And. as the girl listened to his calm. and judicial narrative. her heart sank within her. She could have met lie with scorn and contempt. But here was the truth. seen by other eyes, viewed as other men would view it. It was terrible and damning, as told by the lips of William Tankeriane.
 
 that the very strength of his position depended on this strict adherence to the truth.
 well, Laura" he said, when he had finished his short narrative. What do you think of 1t all? Isuppose you do not believe me-"
 "I believe you" she replied quietly. But should like to ask you one ques tson. Why did you not come to the iFAscue of Ben Holland, when he hung ketween life and death?'
 .I might have shared the same fate" he said. T am but child in the hands of John Shil"
 "Tell me the truth" she exclaimed sharply T know we'll enough that you are not a coward where physical danger is concerned. Why did you not come to the rescue of Ben HollandT'
 Because I love you" he replied, and because that brutal rufi1an in- suited you. was glad to see him die.
 She laughed scornfully and looked into his dark eyes.
 Ben Hollands insult" she said, was small compared to that you offered is nothing to you. Tell me the truth! Tell me why you did not interfere, why you watched. why you" She stopped and looked steadily into his eyes Then, as the truth dawned up- on her, the fury died from her face and she stood very white and still. The man gazed at her unfiinchingly.
 T see," the man said slowly, after a long silence. "T understand. John Shil is in your hands.-and you do not love John Shil."
 A faint smile crossed Tankerlanes face, and then a sudden storm of pas sion swept across it a hot flush came into his cheeks, the veins stood out on his forehead, his eyes glowed with a fierce fire. He strode up to the wc- man and Eripped her by the shoul- ders
 Laura he said. you know that love you. that I long for you. that I hunger for you as a starving man hungers for bread. And. by Heaven, I mean to have you. Now do you understand why did not interfere