Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-11-06
3g Chapter 26

"Jessica" he exclaimed She came toward him, her breath hurried, her cheek pale. Tom Felder's face was at her shoulder. 'I have a little matter to attend to In the offlce," he said. holding to Harry. 'I shall wait for you there, Miss Holme."
 She thanked him with grateful 1 look, and as he vanished. Harry took her hand and kissed 1t He longed to take her in his arms.
 .'I heard of 1t only at noon," she be gan. her voice uncertain. "I was afraid they would not let me see you. so went to Mir Fielder. They were saying on the street that he had of. fered to defend you"
 T had not been here m hour when he came." he said. ! "I know you have no money,- she went on. "I 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. l have not told him-what am to you. but have told him that I 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 this2 The money should be yours. not mine, for 1t was your fathers! It Is yours, for am your wiee,''
 He kissed her hand again without an swering.
 Haven't a right now to be at your sidei Mayn't tell them?'
 He shook his head. Not yet. Jes- sica"
 'I must obey you" she said, with a wan smile. yet I would share your shame as proudly as your glory! You are thinking me weak and despicable. perhaps, because I wanted you to go away. But women are not men, and l T love you so, Hugh."
 'I think you are all that is brave and good" he protested
 "I want you to believe" she went on. that knew you had done no murder. If an angel from heaven had come to declare It would not have believed 1t. I only want now to understand"
 What do you not uuocrstandT' he asked gently.
 she said. in lower key: "Aftcr you had gone many things came back to me that seemed something cu- 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 cameT'
 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 bis Hanks were cut cruelty with whip. You did not use him. but some one did
 She waited a moment. Still he made no reply.
 1 want to ask you." she said abrupt iy. do you know who killed Dr. Mo. reauT'
 His blood chilled at the question. He looked down at her speeches.. You must let me speak," she said. You who really did 1t. Oh. have thought so much since last night! For some reason you are shielding him. Was it the man who was In the cabin-who rode my horse? If he is guilty, why do you help him off and so make your self partly guilty? The whole town believes you are guilty-I see it in all their faces. They are sorry. many of them. for they don't hate you as they did. but they think you did it-even Mir. Fielder. though I have told him what l suspect and though he Is work ing now to defend you,"
 "Jessica," he urged. you must trust me and have faith in me. know it is hard. but cant explain to you! can't tell you--yet-why l do as I am doing, but you must believe that I am right"
 "You speak as If you were sorry for me-" she said, "and not for yourself Is 1t because you know you are not in real danger-that you know the truth must come out. only you can't tell 1t yourself or tell me either? Is that it?' '"It is not that. Jessica." he said gravely, yet you must not fear for me flor my life. Try to believe me when say that some time you will under stand and know that did only what must"
 "Will that be soonT' she asked.
 q think it may be soon," he an- swered.
 Her face lighted. The puzzle and dread lifted. "Oh. then" she said "oh, then, shall not be afraid. I can not share your thoughts nor your se- cret. and must rebel at that. You mustn't blame mel wouldn't be woman if I did not-but I love you more than all the world. and shall be- lieve that you know best. Hugh" she added softly. do you know *hat--you haven't kissed meT'
 Before her upturned. pleading eyes and trembling lips the iron of his pur- pose bent to the man in him, and he took her into his arms