The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-01-19

.ns 'iuF-- h9S~yfr- IT,. lr' ect.if ends that
r . q , Ds' a. M sr ] f. ,st x vi II. SHORTY SsT q de-
-~-afs bs'uf" = ~itas-~'a That H. .s The H1uftefvr
On regain:nE the consciousness which
her cousin words had c. rsci her 10
lose. Olive pu-nbartgn's dstress was
pitiful To- Witnc-s.
One thing alone served after awlli,e
% rouse her thoughts and stir her euer-
gies The man who loved her nlrst not
be allowed to lie under the irnputatiln
of crime. TO which She felt sure he
had falsely coufe= 4 He must learn
while yet thee was time that she would
no. accent this sacrifice OF him; or, il.
indeed t~-e was already thing rf the
past for ha1. then his mem ry must be
cleared. his Innocence vindicated before
the world, and the less delay there was
made in the undertaking such a mission
the more readily might it be effected.
Nackworth was the man who best
could help her in this task, which she
forrsaw world be difficult - accomplish !:
for if the effort to prove her own blame
'assness had hitherto been unsuccessful.
how much more impossible might il be
10 establish the innocence OF one who
had confessed to guilt
However. an effort in this direction
must certainly be made, and accordingly
she sent for the inspector. Her action
lent her temporary strength. and when
Nacbworth was announced she rose
from the sofa where she had lain since
he- recovery. and prepared TO meet HIM
Il have heard OF Mr.. Bostock's dan
rer' she said fcverishly How is he
have You heard any news since
since"
Since his Confession" the inspector
saii. supplying the word she found it
difficult TO employ NO, madam; have
heard nothing since
Is there no hope"
Il fear not
She sat down and pointed to chair
near her. which h. took and then. when
She had cleared the tears from her eyes
and braced herself. she began, in nerv
Gus. agitatcd manner:
There's been great mistake-of that
am sure"
How" Mackworth asked his mobile
face assuming an air OF surprise.
In MIR. Bostock's confessing to a
crime OF which he never was guilty
Not guilty." exclaimed the inspector,
still more amazed
Il am certain he is innocent" she re-
pied hurriedly. .
But what proof have you. madam"
Il have no absolute proof"
Mackworth looked at her eager,
flushed face, with its earnest, pitiful ex
precision.
I have none she repeated. aware
Of the little impression she made on him
and desperately anxious he should be
lieve her. But | feel confident he, who
is one OF the kindest, the most honor
able of men, would never commit such
a crime. Knowing his life is drawing
to an end, he has made this confession
to save me- That is all He is inno-
cent
Then" asked Mackworth, as his eyes
met hers in a steady. searching stare, IF
he is innocent, who is guilty
She read the thought which flashed
across his mind the thought which
scared and made her trernble.
Il cannot say" she replied hurriedly.
but ! know he is not
May ask, madam. how you know"
MY heart tells me. INV woman's in
sight assures me he is not" she an
swered. realizing how important was her
argument.
Such things will weigh hardly against
his own confession"
She saw the force OF his words, and
knowing she had no reason to combat
it. her misery increased. the while he
watched her silently. new suggestions
arising in his mind.
Presently she burst:
Why not continue your investiga-
tons as ii he had never made this con-
fession?'
Because his confession has justified
and brought my investigations to an
end"
Il don't understand" she answered,
fear chilling her blood.
Because madam. I have suspected
and been watching him for some time
Mackwortll said.
Suspected him - impossible!" she
cried out
Il assure you it is true
"On what grounds
''Those which | thought sufficient; l
cannot now enter into details" he re-
piled. anxious TO spare her feelings by
Withholding from her the motive which
he considered led Bostock to the crime.
81 am sure that one day YOU will find
that you are wrong she said, her anx-
iety visible in her eyes. But is there
nothing that can be done meanwhile
nothing that will disprove his state
ments?"
Nothing" answered Mackworth, as
he rose to leave, nothing"
She did not seek to prolong an in
terview which had not only grievously
disappointed her. but filed her with de-
spair.
"Nothings" she repeated, and then
added. in voice SO low and broken
that the words seemed spoken to herself
rather than addressed to her hearer !:
God will protect the innocent"
Mackworth bowed and softly quilted