The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-23

tell me about it? That door is into
an outer hall which opens .lto the
street No one. will! see Won come or
60"
Az she hurried along she wondered
dazeiIy why she had stayed to listen
so long What aimonster he was. His
meaning was plain, bad always been
so from the 6rst day he laid eyes on
her,. and he was utterly, ,eonseienceless.
She had known all this; and yet, in her
proud. youthful confidence. and In her
need. every hour' more desperate and
urgent, to know the truth. she bad
dared risk herself with him. Withal,
the man was shre~d and observant
and had divined hRr mental condition
with remarkable ssgacity. She had
failed with him.: but the kirl now knew
that she could never rest till she found
an answer to her questions. She must
kill this 'suspieinn, that ate into her 20.
She thought tentaIy Of her uncle's
good.:ess to her; CHING With despairsng
faith to the last af her kin. The blood
ties OF the Chesters were close and
she felt In dire need Of that lost brother
who wasosonlexhere In this mysterious
land-ns ID Of some one In whom ran
the stra that bound her to the weak
old man up yonder. There was Nc
Namara: but how could he help her.
how much did she know Of him, this
man who was nowxwithtn- the, darkest
shG dow Of hsr new suspicious?
Feeling almost intolerably friendlsss
and alone, weakened both by her re-
cent fright and BY her encounter with
Suuve, Helen considered as calmly 40
her emotioos would allow and decided
that this was no &ay m wAIeh pssds
should fisure. There were facts which
it was imperative she should know.
aid Immediately: therefore, . few min
utes latsr, she knocked ut the doee Of
Cherr? Malotte.
When the giri appeared, Helen was
stonisbed to see that she had been
crying. Tears burn hottest and leave
plaInest trace in eyes where they come
most seldom. The younger girl could
not guess the tumult Of emotion the
other had undergone during her alb
sence. the utter depths Of self abase-
ment she had fathomed. for the sight
Of Helen and her fresh young beauty
had aroused In the adventures q very
tempest Of bitterness and Jealousy.
Whether Helen Chester were guilty or
innocent, how could Glenister hesitate
between them? Cherry had asked her
self. Now she stared at her visitor in
Hospitality and; without sign.
will you let me come I'M" Helen
asked her. Il have something to say
to you"
When they were inside. Cherry Ma
lotte stood and gazed at her visitor
with inscrutable eyes and stony face.
ut isn't easy for me to come back"
Helen began. but I felt that I had to.
II you can help me. l hope you will.
You said that you knew great wrong
was being done. have suspected 1t.
but I didn't know, and I've been afraid
to doubt my own people. You said |
had part In it-that I'd betrayed my
friends. Walt moment" she hurried
on. at the others cynical smile. Won't
you tell me what you know and what
you think my part has been? I've
heard and seen thifgs that make me
think-oh. they make me afraid to
think, and yet can't find the truth!
You see. In a struggle like this. people
will make all sorts Of allegations. but
do they know. have they any proof,
that my uncle has done wrong?
rs that all?"
"No. You said Struve told you the
whole scheme. went to him and
tried to cajole the story out Of him.
but She shivered ut the memory.
what success did you have?" in
qulred the listener. oddly curious for
all her cold dislike.
Don't ask me. hate to think Of
It,"
Cherry laughed crreily. so. failing
there. you came back to me. back for
another favor from the waif. Well,
Miss Helen Chester. don't believe
a word you've said. and I'll tell you
nothing. Go back to the uncle and the
rawboned lover who sent you. and in
form them that I'll speak when the
time comes They think | know too
much. do they?-so they've sent you to
spy? We'll. I'll make Il cOmpact.i You
play your game. and I'll play mine.
Leave Glenister alone. and Ill not tell
on Mcnamara. Is it bargain?"
NO. no. no. Can't you see? That's
not it, All want is the truth Of this
thing"
"Then so back to Struve and get 1t.
He'll tell you; won't Drive your bar
gain with him-you're able. You've
fooled better men-now, see what you
can do with him."
Helen left, realizing the futility Of
further effort. though she felt that this
woman did not really doubt her, but
was sco1rsed by jealousy till she de-
liberately chose this attitude.
Reaching her own house, she wrote
tx.,o hr,af notoo oo6 calIod IN hor Ian