The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-10-04
7oCHAPTER VII.
A CTINpCE An, a CEET .JrvrO1

"a 1lLlNIfoE AL n fAElLILlON
Godfrey smoked for a moment in Sill
cnce. The story he had just heard
needed digestion. 1t shed a new light
upon the problem-a light at the same
time Illuminating and confusing-a
light, indeed. which served only to dis
close new depths Of mystery. So Miss
Croydon's story had been true in an,
cognisnnt Of her errand;; she had not
approved OF it; she had tried to hold
her back; but the stronger nature had
o~verriden the weaker one. The elder
woman had tried to shield the younger
one, had even lied for her-she had
known. then, that the errand vas one
that could not be explained; she. with
her experience of the world, had real
ICED, perhaps more strongly than her
sister, its compromising nature. What
was the secret which those papers
guarded.
Drysdale hitched impatiently in his
chair.
out with it. jim" he said. Don't try
to soften It'll can stand it l guess.
The only thing l can stand is this
suspense"
I'm not going to soften it," God
frey assured him, and he rapidly out
lined the tragedy Of the evening, while
his companion listened With Mortified
attention. Godfrey watched him as he
sat staring into the fire with haggard
face.
f" Don't make 1T blacNer than it is,
Jack" he said. ut last. Personally. I
dent believe they've got the right man.
but I'm sure of one thing-Miss Croy-
don had no hand in it,"
oh, 1 know She didn't!" Drysdale
burst out. 1T isn't that: Don't you
sect isn't that! But what took her
to that house? Why should she go
there alone. At night, to meet a drunken
brute? Answer me that Jim Godfrey.
l don't care Il hang for all the rest"
Godfrey's face hardened as he turned
back to the fire; That was the very
question to which he himself had been
striving vainly all the evening to find
an answer.
"Of course, Jack" he salt slowly, IT
can't tell you just what her whole pur-
pose was. 1 don't know the secret OF
lily secret-and none of our business.
But one things Observation-Disclosures it is,
there's no cause for you to worry about
it."
And why not?"
Why. don't you see. Jack? II Mrs.
Delroy knew her sisters errand it could
have been no questionable one-no vul-
gar intrigue-nothing that would touch
her In any degrading way-probably
nothing that would touch her at all.
One doesn't confide things Of that sort
to ones sister. nor ask advice about
1900 W. NC . oAl ololl L llSCu liz
advice-but at. the very worst. all she's
been guilty OF is an indiscretion. That
l think any man would be glad to for
give
Drysdale drew a deep breath of re-
lief.
"of course" he assented quickly.
And that continued Godfrey earn
estly. lis all you need to know. l be-
lieve she tells the exact truth when
she Jays she tried to save Thompson's
life. Therefore. you may go back to
her tomorrow without the need Of ask
ing a single question. Depend upon it,
she'll explain 1t all in. time. Show her
now that you trust her-that's the least
you can do-yes. n the most you can
do to help her"
Il will" agreed Drysdale instantly.
you've taken a great load of my
heart. old man."
You hadn't faith enough. Why, one
needs only to look at her to see that
she's above suspicion. 1 don't think
you quite appreciate her. Most men
would be glad to set a woman like
that on any terms"
CONTINUED Next Weekly