The Forrest City times., 1908-11-20

Tell him I'm driving" she said to the maid. Ask him to step to the front door"
 Esther drove around the house to find him standing, bareheaded. on the graveled road. He was haggard and thin, his shoulders stopped, his eyes gloomy. His clothes were handsome and we'll made: but they had a bor- rowed, misfitting leok, that was pitt ful to Esther. He did not speak. but stood waiting, slightly bent. only his somber eyes pleading.
 Will you drive with me Gideon" she asked quietly. Without word he put on his hat and stepped In beside her, tucking the robe carefully about her. Every move ment had a gentle deprecation foreign to the Gideon she had known.
 The team was restiye. the streets crowded; and she could do no more than drive until a mile or more of hills had taken the first mettle out of her l horses.
 When they were on the road. fol. lowing the shimmering bay shore around Fort Point 10 the sea. the plangent waves at their feet, the salt air blowing clean upon them. the vast farness of blue ocean sweeping away petty thoughts. bringing eternal yeri- ties-there Gideon and Esther found a common meeting ground.
 Gideon freed her from her promise and would have explained, but she ob- jected. It's past Gideon Alfred is safe, well. Let me forget what know. hear no more." Her heart bounded. yet was leaden again. Freedom had come too late. Alfred no longer loved her.
 Yes. one thing I would know Did Phineas Cadwallader have anything to do with Alfred d's-eapture?
 No"
 What makes him hate Alfred. l then"
 He hates him on more than one score. Vincent knows some important secret of his, and Vincent has also 1 caught Cad in one or two tricks l against the company Cads afraid he'll i be reported. Besides all this, Cad was ] the last man seen with Vincent before he disappeared; and if the case is eyer 1 investigated Cadll have hard work to l clear himself"
 Were you? Did any one find out 1 - Why were you not arrested? ?a
 There was not scrap of evidence against me. My alibi was perfect l Esther EfdaI- i looked out to sea, and waited.
 Have you told any one?a she asked finally. "You-you had the thing done. if you didn't do 1t yourself, didn't you?e
 Yes. And live told no one-must not"
 Must not she questioned wonder ingly. She knew he did not lack 1 courage.
 Drag you into such a foul compli- catiou-the trial, your hearts secrets exposed, prison. To be sure. 1 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 well in health as ever: no trouble or disgrace attaches; and he's l better of 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 mine" She was thinking of Amabers face as she had waltzed by her the night before. looking into Alfred eyes.
 Of course, l 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 fip-fop of wet, glistening seals clambering the gray rocks only 10 drop into the sea again. The same brilliant. limitless panorama unfolded westward then as 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 na. ture then was all unsubdued.
 They fingered little. both silent. Gideon nearer content than for years.
 Where have you been this long. long time. Gideon? ?' Esther asked on i 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 well i and happy"
 "Gideon." Esther exclaimed. aston. ! ished.
 I've sridironed 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 u-fcf