Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-03-28
BY Tom Gallon.
CHAPTER XVII. Continued,

l want to help him, if can; l want to
be near him-oh, you needn't think"
added Clara, tearfully, chat 1 am any
thing to him; I might have thought SO
once, but know better now. This
trouble has cleared my mind somehow,
so that can see things as they are. Ii
ne has been-kind-an nice-to me,
It's only as he might be to anyone
whose face pleased him" Clara tossed
her head little, despite her tears,
and seemed to suggest that she knew
the value of her own charms. with
you-well it's different"
Madge Barnshaw thought bitterly
that it might not be so very different,
after all; thought of the murdered girl,
and.bitterly blamed herself because
she could not stand aside before all the
world and believe him innocent.
Something of this must have been in
the mind Of the other girl; looking at
Madge steadily, she asked, with some
sternness: 'You don't believe he did
that horrible thing, do your"
Madge Barnshaw covered her face
with her hands and shuddered. Il
don't know don't know what to
think she said, in a whisper.
Clara turned swiftly, and began to
walk away. She had almost reached
the garden gate when Madge, spring
ing after her, caught her by the arm
You're right-and I am a coward,
and unworthy of his or any one else's
love and confidence. I will believe in
HMM his innocence. You make me
believe. Tell me-what are you going
to do?"
"I am going to Chelmsford" replied
Clara, simply. 81 want to be near
him want to feel that l know all
that is happening. For met will not
matter; no one will take any notice OF
me. can go where you could not"
But what will you do at Chelms-
ford? How will you live?" asked
Madge.
Clara smiled bravely, and threw up
her head little higher 81 have lit
tie money no, thank YOU" as the
other made a gesture as if to reach
her purse. 81 have more than need
and I shall take lodging near the
prison. came here because l wanted
to know-to know She hesita-
ted, and her voice trailed off and died
away.
Wanted to know-what?"
"To know if there was any-any
message you would wish to send him."
replied Clara at last, very stif1y, and
with a face of scarlet. 81 thought
maybe that if I could carry-carry
some message from you-you, who
have a right to send one--it might
cheer him, and lead him to think bet
ter of the world, when every one is
against him. He may not-how should
he?--may not think or care anything
for what I may say; but you-'
Madge Barnshaw moved forward
quickly and took the girl in her arms.
''What angel of God has put such a.
thought in your hearth" she whisper
ed. II shall bless you all my life for
coming to me like this-for teaching
me, out of your own simple faith and
loyalty, some faith and loyalty, too.
Will you promise to write to me di-
rectly you are settled in your new
lodging? Will you promise to write
often to me-to claim from me any
thing you may want?"
After a little further hesitation Clara
Siggs promised that she would COM
municate with her new friend fire.
quently. And then Madge, with her
arms still about the girl, whispered
her message.
"Tell him, if you will" she said,
e'that 1 love him, and believe in his in
nocence; that will believe in that
and in fim--until he tells me, with his
own lips, that he is guilty!"
Clara promised that the message
should be delivered; and, with part
ing embrace the two separated
Clara to set forth on her Journey;
Madge to pace the garden YEARLY, and,
now that she was alone again; with
growing despair.
Having only some i've miles to trav
STSc GGlO10 W 1CSQuC O1A
town Of Chelmsford, Clara Siggs first
trod its streets just as the shops were
beginning to set forth their wares for
the day and its pavements to echo
with the fall of busy feet Rendered
timid by the size Of the place, and fear
full OF attracting attention, she did not
care to ask the way to the goal, but
wandered about until the frowning
walls of the building looked down
upon her. Various notices were post
ed on door, setting forth the date OF
the next assizes, together with infor-
nation - only part of which she
grasped in her anxiety and in the
many tumultuous thoughts which
stirred her at the remembrance of how
near she was to the place where the
man of whom she had come in search
lay.
She resolved, for her own comfort
and satisfaction, to get lodging as