Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-12-30


Eyes: that is my mission. It was
secret / couldn't tell you. couldn't
tell any one. Only Judge Stott knows.
He is aware have found them and is
hourly expecting to receive them from
me. And now" she said, II want your
help"
His only answer was to grasp tighter
the hand she had laid in his. She
knew that she would not have to ex-
plain the nature of the service she
wanted He understood.
Where are the letters?' he demand
ed
'1n the left hand drawer of your fa-
theirs desk" she answered.
He was silent for a few moments,
and then he said simply:
81 will get them"
The cab by this time had got as far
as Claremont, and from the hill sum-
NIT they had splendid view of the
broad sweep of the majestic Hudson
and the towering walls Of the blue
palisades. The day was SO beautiful
and the air so invigorating that Jeffer-
son suggested a ramble along the
banks of the river They could leave
the cab at ClaremOnt and drive back
to the city later. Shirley was too
grateful to him for his promise of CO.
operation to make any further opposi-
ton, and soon they were far away
from beaten highways, down on the
banks of the historic stream, picking
flowers and laughing merrily like two
truant children bent on a self made
holiday The place they had reached
was just outside the northern bound
aries of Harlem, a sylvan spot stif1 I'M
spoiled by the rude invasion of the fiat
house builder. The land, thickly wood
ed sloped down sharply to the wa
ter, and the perfect quiet was broken
only by the washing of the tiny surf
against the river bank and the shrill
notes of the birds in the trees.
Although it was late in October, the
day was warm, and Shirley soon tired
of climbing over bramble entangled
verdure. The rich grass underfoot
looked cool and inviting, and the nat
ural slope of the ground affording an
ideal resting place she sat there, with
Jefferson stretched out at her feet both
watching idly the dancing waters of
the broad Hudson, spangled with
CLEANS Of light. as they swept swiftly
by on their journey to the sea.
shirley" said Jefferson suddenly,
81 suppose you saw that ridiculous
story about my alleged engagement to
ficSp nyfc In,,, 100
that it was done without my consent"
'If I did not guess it, JEFF" she an
swered. your assurance would be suf-
lfcient Besides,' she added, what
right have to obiect?'
"But | want you to have the right -
he replied earnestly. 'I'm going to
stop this Roberts nonsense in a way
my father hardly anticipates. I'm just
waiting a chance to talk to him. III
show him the absurdity of announcing
me engaged to girl who is about to
elope with his private secretary
"Elope with the secretaryr' exclaim-
| ed Shirley.
Jefferson told all about the letter he
| had found on the staircase and the
Hon. Fitzroy' Bagley's plans for run
away marriage with the senator's
wealthy daughter.
''Its godsend to me-" he said glee-
fully. Thief plan is to get married
next Wednesday. I'll see my father on
Tuesday. I'll put the evidence in his
hands, and | don't Think he added
grimly, he'll bother me any mote
about Miss Roberts,
so you're not going away now: =
said Shirley smiling down at him.
He sat up ami leaned over toward
| her.
81 can't, Shirley. simply can't" he
replied, his volca trembling. You are
more to me than 1 dreamed woman
f! could ever be. | realize it more forci-
| bly, every day. There is no use fight
ing against it. Without you my work,
my life. means nothing"
Shirley shook her head and averted
her eyes.
Don't let Us speak Of that, JEFF, y
she pleaded gently. Il told you | did
not belong to myself while my father
was in peril"
i Put / must speak of it, he inter
rupted. Shirley, you do yourself an
Injustice as well as me. You are not
Indifferent to mel feel that. Then
why raise this barrier between us?"
A soft light stole.iEto the girls eyes
All. it was good to feel there was some
one to whom she was everything in the
world!
Don't ask me to betray my trust
Jeff" she faitered. "You know l an
not Indifferent to you-far from it
But r.
He came closer until his face nearly
touched hers.
4 love you'll want YOU" he rlur
INJURED feverishly. Give ne the right
10 claim you before all the world as my
future wife!''
Every note of his rich, manly voice
vibrating with inpetrous passion
sounded in shirley's ear ike a sof
caress. She closed her eyes. \ strange
feeling Of languor was stealing Owe
l7oy.. a n1x-S4aTi015S thrill Y7aSSpI tbrOT1 rF