The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-05-16

book, she said. II you want to abuse
my future husband. do 1t In plain
English"
Il WILL" he said. "He told you that
he found girl In my rooms at mid
night, and that her arms were round
my neck, You asked me II this were
true. admitted It You asked for no
explanation, and gave none"
mo explanation" she began an
grily, could have"
"No-I know: but now It Is differ
ent. can't let an old friend marry
that man In ignorance Of the facts.
He had arranged to call for me at
twelve; had an article to finish and
we were going on to the Somersets
ball. At about q quarter to twelve
opened the door TO knock. II was
not bennington, but this girl. knew
her very slightly. She had lost her
last train to Putney. or Peckham, or
omewhere-wouid help her? 1t was
like scene In . play. don't you know.
I was discretion absolute-left the
door open-gave her wine and biscuits.
and proposed to charter a homeward
cab for her. Then came Leamington's
step on the stair, and at that, as at a
signal, she flung her arms round my
neck. should feel like a hairdres-
ser's apprentice In telling you this but
know now why 1t was done. It was
Leamington's last east for you; and
he threw the double six, confound
HIM"
| She looked at him with shining
eyes.
rs this true?" she said. "Why didn't
you tell me beforeT'
you never asked me-"
ut is only your word against his"
"After a few years of married life
you will be better able to Judge of
their relative values" he said. leaning
back In his corner.
She lifted the vioiets to her face
the cool freshness of them was like q
ehild's kiss,
I Charles" she said softly, and
reached out timid hand towards him
His face grew stiff and set.
You understand my motives?" he
said coldly II could not see any old
friend married to liar and a black
guard without word OF warning"
81 was onS-I wanted to shake
hands with my old friend-to show
that hHforgives me-" She hardly knew
what she was saying.
There is nothing to forgive" he
said. II had almost forgotten the cir.
cumstances till your face reminded me
4 Of it,
She turned her head to the window
so that he should not see her eyes.
With q shrek and a rumble the train
passed into q tunnel The roar OF II
rang in her ears, and the tears ran
down her face on to the sables. Two
shrieks from the engine-the train
quivered and shook with the sudden
stress OF the brakes. Then came an
other shrek. crash-and-the big.
gest accident OF the year, as the
Northern express ran full into the rear
lights Of the slow local.
The firstclass carriage where pride
and love had forsht lay battered and
overturned on the up-line. The deaf
ening noise OF steam, To- clamor of
voices, the wailing of children. the
cries of women. rang out in the arch
of the tunnel. But in the first-class
carriage there was silence and dark
ness, for with the shock all the lights
had gone out.
Presently In the darkness match
spurted. He raised h.ms alf on one ell
I m frfa m Arau 10 9th rp,
from under the wood that imprisoned
1t. The arm was tightly wedged. and
he felt that IL was broken. He lit an
other match, his teeth set in agony,
and looked round for her. She was
lying quite near him. yet not within
reach. all twisted up, heap Of dark
cloth and furs. Her eyes were closed
and there was blood on the CHASTITY
white OF her face.
MY darling! my darling" he cried
and with that he tore at his impris
oned arm to free it-that he might get
to her-fought and tore till from sheer
pain he went out OF life.
When the sufferers were one by one
drawn out Oh the wreck, ne and Sne
were among the last to be released
He regained his consciousness In the
anguish OF that release.
They bound up his arm and hei
head and, clinging to each other. they
tottered cut Of the tunnel by the high,
OF the torches and climbed into the
relief train. 1t was crowded with pale
bandaged faces and limbs swathed in
white.
II shall get out at the first station.
he said. and his voice was coldly DO
lite by the. way. didn't quite un
derstand. Does your wedding take
place In the morning.
She leaned little against his unin
jured shoulder. and so closely was the
carriage packed that he could not draw
away.
IF you wish It," she said.
Il beg your PARDON" he questioned
courteously.
"Oh, hush!" she whispered. you
cannot go on pretending any more
now. When you thought was dead
you called me your darling. Do YOU