Mower County transcript., 1908-06-10

y 80
Yes, one thing would know. Did
Phineas Cadwallader have anything to
do with Alfreds-capture?
NO"
What makes him hate Alfred.
, them"
He hates him on more than one
score. Vincent knows some important
secret of his, and Vincent has also
! caught Cad In one or two tricks
against the company. Cad's afraid he'll
be reported. Besides all this, Cad was
the last man seen with Vincent before
he disappeared; and if the case is ever
Investigated CadIl have hard work to
clear himself"
Were YOU? Did any one ind out
-? Why were you not arrested?"
There was not scrap of evidence
against me. My alibi was perfect"
Esther was long silent. Gideon
looked out to sea, and waited.
"Have you told any one?" she asked
. finally. 'You-you had the thing done,
if you didn't do it yourself, didn't
you?"
Yes. And 1--we told no one-must
not
Must not?" she questioned wonder
ing1y. She knew he did not lack
courage.
Drag you into such a foul compli-
cation-the trial, your hearts secrets
exposed, prison! To be sure, l didn't
think of that three years ago. Now
you are my cousin-my name yours"
"But JUSTICE" she began, as he
halted. Ought respect for a name to
stand in the way of that?"
I've thought Of that. But Vincent
is free, as we'll in health as ever; no
trouble or disgrace attaches; and he's
better off in pocket than if he had
not suffered from me, for I've been
able to throw thing or two his way.
There are the lost years, and-and
you. Do you think at this late day it
would please him If I dragged your
name before the public? Wouldn't
that rather distress him?"
"On account of his own name, per-
haps; he cares nothing for NINE" She
was thinking of Amabels face as she
had waltzed by her the night before,
/ loeking into Alfred's eyes,
"Of course! I knew that always
Gideon said DULY, and gazed seaward.
| On the veranda of the old Cliff house
they stopped as does the tourist of to-
day to watch the endless hip-flop of
| wet, glistening seals clambering the
gray rocks only to drop into the sea
again. The same brilliant, limitless
panorama unfolded westward then az
to-day-beetling cliffs, the sapphire
sky, white, fantastic clouds. twin green
promontories guarding the Golden
Gate, the misty, enchanted Farallones,
the eternal roar of the surf. But M.
ture then was all unsubdued.
They fingered a little, both silent.
Gideon nearer content than for years.
Where have you been this long,
long time, Gideon?" Esther asked on
their way back to the city.
Many places. Twice I went to
Poughkeepsie. I saw you, though you
didn't know it; saw that you were we'll
and happy"
"Gideon!" Esther exclaimed, aston
ished.
I've gridironed Nevada and Utah
deserts looking for gold, and for wagon
| routes; and have found both The last
few months I've spent between San
Francisco and the ranch. I've seen
you often, Stella" He looked at her
wistfully.
Seen me?'
Eyes, in theaters, on the street.
wherever society notes in the papers
gave me clew to your goings.'
and you never came-never spoke
-"
mo. l knew you could not marry
Vincent. He loves Charley Crocker's
niece. AS long as I was silent tit
seemed love you, Star, just the
same; no, thousand times more!''
he went on despondently, using uncon-
sciously the old familiar name. "But
you need not fear me. / shall never
trouble you after this We're we're
cousins, yes. more like brother and
sister; and I'm unfit His sentence
went unfinished. Esas
They were nearing Esther's homo.