The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-15
.Perhaps the ehlld may de. :.

~.."rSNS SD~f-stN V BIdyOtsf o4A 0CAVto he had denied his soul with the wish for the death of an innocent child, the truth and horror of the thought broke on him like blast of lightning. He cowed back against the steps, and held up his hand to his head as though to shield of a blow.
 No, no,D he cried ho himself. that is not the path to happiness. I have sinned. I must redeem the past. I must do the right thing. must bow my head. must make amends. l must act like a man of honor. Then perhaps God in His mercy will give me peace."
 Like man of honor. The thought recalled Leonore and he could not sh ut out her face from his eyes. He saw her reproachful look and heard the pit eous tones of her voice. A man of honor will make amends. Perhaps af- ter all this was the thing God wiIIed him to do, this was the sacrifice that he was called upon to make. And yet, after all, was it such a great sacrificed? She was a. talented woman a wife of whom any man might be proud. Laura was lost to him so long as her child and her husband lived, and Tankerlane might easily live for I1ty years. She could never be his wire. There was only one course for | wise man to take. He must forget. or. if he could not forget, he must sil- ence the voice of memory with the | glamour of another life This Ioneii- ness was hell to him. He would be happier with woman who loved him well. She would be a comrade. She would not expect too much. She would be the mother of his children. ana fresh life would open out for him "a quiet, domestic life, unruffled by passion, but full Of peace and gentle happiness. He had strong regard for Leonore. He admired her intellect, and though her bitter words had stunr him to the quick, he knew that they had only been the cry of a wounded heart.
 His meditations were interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps on the gravel, and looking round, he saw Leonore herself walking slowly toward him. Somehow he was not surprised to see her. 1t seemed quite natural that she should be there.
 He rose to his feet and advanced to meet her. As she drew near to hiin he noticed that her face was pale and careworn, and that there were dark rings under her eyes. But she smiled as she held out her hand, and he took it in his own.
 said. for all the world as if she were next-door nelghbor who had dnopped in to tea. Come sit down by the pool. l am very fond of this pool"
 She came,to the edge without a word and looked at the yellow water eddy ing against the wall. Then she shud- dered.
 q don't like It." she said. "Is it deep? What is 1t here for?'
 An old bathing place, I believe" he answered. That water is salt, and comes all the way, from the sea. When look at 1t can(fancy l am in touch with all the oceans of the world"
 T don't like It. she said quickly, and she seated herself on the. wall with her back to the pool. John Shil sat down beside her and for few mo- ments both of them were silent. The sun had gone down behind the tall fringe of trees, and the smooth green lawns were in shadow.
 You will wonder why I have come here." said Leonore abruptly But have something of importance to tell you. something that I could not write. cannot stay long, for I must return td town by the last train. Your ser wants told me you were home, and took the liberty of coming straight find you" She paused, and, clasping her hands. looked on the ground, as though uncertain how to proceed. sa
 You did right" he replied gently. T am glad to see you, Leonore.'
 There was again pause, and then the woman, realizing that the precious moments were being wasted, leant to- wards him, so that her lips were close to his ear.
 You are in danger" she whispered. Two men saw all that happened fin that wood by LaYerstone. I myself know the whole story"
 John Shil did not answer and his face, might have been carved out of a piece of granite for all the emotion it displayed. He looked at a flower bed as though the coloring fascinated him. i..
 Then he turned sharply and gripped Leonore bv the wrist.
 What do you mean" he asked In a low voice. What do you know of Laverstone? Who has told your"
 Please leave go of my wrist" she said quietly. You are hurting me. In fact, 1 am paying one of the men to keep his mouth shut"
 What man?" he asked fiercely What do you mean? There was no one there; if there had been, he would have spoken. he" Then the man paled. cursing his own stupidity. He had betrayed himself.
 The mans name is Henry Burton" she continued. Do you remember the little drunken cad who recognized you III NluleN StTeet. f1e saw everything. He has told me all he saw. I have paid him to keep his mouth shut. But the story, told from his standpoint is incomplete. I am your friend, and I want you to tell me exactly what happened. I want to think well of you. I know that the story of an eye witness must convey a wrong impress sion He knew nothing of what was in your mind, or what passed between you and the other man. l want 10 know the truth. Please tell me the truth. I am your friend.
 John Shil staggered for the moment by the storm that had suddenly risen up from the past and swept over his head, could make no reply to this ap- peal He diS not know whether to tell the truth or to keep silence.
 Please tell me" Leonore ,murmurea softly. as she laid her hand on his arm and looked up into his face; ou know that I am your friend
 Her. voice and the implied caress in her touch turned the scale. He knew that this woman loved him. and tat she would not do anything to wreck his life. But he was cautious Tor all that.
 "Teli me exactly what vor have heard" he said. "and I will then give you the true version df the affair.
 She told him the story that she had purchased from Henry Burton. ana when she had finished. John Shil knew well enough that Burton had been an actual witness of the event He de- cdsd to make a clean breast of the whole affair