Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-12-29
20 Chapter Is

IN Jail corridor and the harsh
/mEA grating of the key in the
WY.TR lock. Harry rose hastily
" from the iron cot wherein
he had been sitting and
took step forward.
"Jessica!" he exclaimed.
She came toward him, her breath
hurried, her cheek pale. Tom Felder's
face was at her shoulder Il have a
little matter to attend to in the office"
he said nodding to Harry. Il shall
wait Dor you there, Miss Holme."
She thanked him with grateful
look, and as he vanished. Harry took
her hand and kissed it. He longed to
take her in his arms.
Il heard of it only at NOON" she be-
gan. her voice uncertain. Il was
afraid they would not let me see you.
SO l went to Mr.. Fielder. They were
saying on the street that he had Of
fered to defend you"
Il had not been here an hour when
he came" he said.
II know you have no money!" she
went on. Il know what you did with
the gold you found. And have beg
ged him to let me pay for any other
counsel he will name. have not told
him-what am to you, but have told
him that | am far from poor and that
nothing counts beside your life He
says you have forbidden him to do this
forbidden him to allow any help from
any one. Hugh, Hugh. Why do you
do this? The money should be yours.
not mine. for it was your fathers! 1t
is yours. for am your wife!"
He kissed her hand again without an
swering.
Haven't a right now to be at your
side? Mayn't l tell them?"
He shook his head. Not yet, Jes-
sica''
Il must obey you," she said with a
wan smile, yet l would share your
shame as proudly as your glory. You
are thinking me weak and despicable,
perhaps. because wanted you to go
away. But women are not men. and
Il love you so. Hugh"
Il think you are all that is brave and
good" he protested.
II want you to believe" she went on,
that knew you had done no murder,
If an angel from heaven had come to
declare it 1 would not have believed 1t.
only want now to understand"
What do you not underestimate" he
asked gently
She half turned toward the door as
she said in lower key: After you
had gone many things came back to
me that seemed strange-something Gu
rious in your manner. You had not
seemed wholly surprised when l told
you you were accused. Why did you
shut the cabin door and speak so low?
Was there any one else there when
came"
/ He averted his face. but he did not
answer. She was treading on near
ground.
My horse came back this after
noon." she continued. He had been
ridden hard in the night, and his tanks
We're cut cruelty with whip. You did
not use him, but some one did"
She waited moment Still he made
no reply.
81 want to ask YOU" she said abrupt
ly. do you know who killed DR.. Mo.
reau?"
His blood chilled at the question. He
looked down at her speechless. you
must let me speak," she said You
won't answer that. Then you do know
who really did it. Oh. have thought
SO much since last night! For some
reason you are shielding him. Was II
the man who was in the cabin-whc
rode my horse? If he is guilty. why
do you help him off and SO make your
self partly guilty? The whole tow1
believes you are guilty. see it in al
their faces They are sorry. many OF
them. for they don't hate you as they
did. but they think you did it-ever
Mr.. Fielder. though have told hin
what | suspect and though he is work
ing now to defend you"
"Jessica." he urged. you must trus
me and have faith in me. know it i
hard. but | can't explain to you!
can't tell you-yet-why l do as l an
doing, but you must believe that an
right"
you speak as II you We're sorry 70
me-" she said. land not for yourself
Is it because you know you are not ii
must come out, only you can't tell
yourself or tell me either? Is that IT.?
ut Is not that Jessica." he sal,
gravely. yet you must not fear for m
for my life. Try to believe me whel
say that some time you will under
stand and know that did only what
must"
"Will that be soon?" she asked
81 think it may be soon." he al
swered.
= Her face lighted. The puzzle an
dread lifted. "Oh. then" she said
"oh, then. | shall not be afraid. cal
n not share your thoughts nor your ST
:, cret. and | must rebel at that 70
mustn't blame mel wouldn't be
y woman If did not-but | love 70
more than all the world. and shall b,
i lieve that you know best Hugh" sh
d added softly do you know that-yo
Y haven't kissed me?"
i Before her upturned. pleading eye
q and trembling lips the iron Of his pu
~ pose bent to the man in him. and
: took her into his arms.
\ =
A frosty gloom was over the city
Aniston. moon and stars hidden by
cloudy sky. from which light sno,
the first of the season. was sitting dow
The streets were asleep. Only occasion