The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-12-05
--:- COMMENT .Se1 - re aosss -sssaa,.. 60.

In the Gathering hanson, steadying
herself with hand against the win
dow-frame, to keep from being thrown
against the speeches. man beside
her, the girl waited. And since Matt
land In confusion at the moment found
no words, from this eloquent silence
she drew an inference unjustified, such
as lovers are prone to draw, the world
over. one that lent pathetic color to
her thoughts, and chilled a little her
mood. She had been too sure.
But better to have it over with at
once, rather than permit 1t to remain
forever wall Of constraint between
them. He must not be permitted to
think that she would dream of taking
him upon his generous word,
1T was very kind of you," she said
in steady small voice, ito pretend
that we-what you did pretend, in or
der to save me from being held as a
witness. At least, presume that is
why you did it?"-with note of un.
certainty.
ut is unnecessary that you should
be drawn into the affair."" he replied,
with some resumption of his self-pos-
session. 1T isn't as If you we're"
"A theft" she supplied, as he hest
tated.
"a thief" he assented, gravely.
"But IL am" with a break in her
voice.
"But you are not" he asserted al
most fiercely. And, Dear" he said,
boldly, don't you suppose l know?"
what do you know"
"That you brought back the jewels,
for one minor thing. found them al
most as soon as you had left. And
then knew-knew that you cared
enough to get them from this fellow
Anisty and bring them back to me,
knew that l cared enough to search
the world from end to end until 1
found you, that you might wear them
If you would"
But she had drawn away, had
averted her face; and he might not
see it; and she shivered slightly, star.
ing out of the window at the passing
lights. He saw, and perforce paused.
"You-you don't understand" she
told him in rush. "You give me
credit beyond my due. I didn't break
into your fiat again, tonight, in order
to return the jewels-at least, not for
that alone" ...,s
But you did bring; back the jewels?"
She nodded.
'Then doesn't that prove what !
claim, prove that you've cleared your.
SELF"
NO." she told him, firmly, with the
firmness Of despair; ut does not. Be.
cause did not come for that only.
came with another purpose-to steal,
as we'll as to make restitution. And
Il STOLE"
There was a moments silence, on
his part incredulous. II don't know
what you mean. What did you steal?
Naera is it?''
Il have lost tt"
"Was it in your hand-bag?"
"You found that?"
"You dropped it in the trunk-closet.
found it there. There is something
Of mine in it,"
Dumb with misery, she nodded: and
after q little: you didn't look, Of
course"
Il had no right" he said, shortly.
"Other men wo-would have thought
they had the right. I th.think you
had, the circumstances considered. At
all events" steadying her voice, II
say you have, now. I give you that
right. Please go and investigate that
handbag, Mr.. Maitland. wish you to. {"
He turned and stared at her curious
~. Il don't know what to think" he
said. II can not believe"
"You mu-must believe. I have no
right to profit by your disbelief. Dear
Mr.. Maitland, you have been kind to
me, very kind to me; do me this last
kindness, If you will"
The young face turned to him was
gravely and perilously sweet; very
nearly he forgot all else. But that
she would not have.
do this for me. What you will ind
will explain everything. You will un.
derstand. Perhaps" - timidly -"per.
haps you may even ind it in your
heart to forgive when you understand.
: II you should, my card-case is in the
bag, and" She faltered, biting her
lip cruelty to steady voice quivering
with restrained sobs. please. please
go at once, and-and see for yourself"
she implored him passionately.
OF sudden he found himself re.
solved. Indeed, he fancied that it
were dangerous to oppose her; she
was overweight, on the verge Of los.
ing her command of self. She wished
this thing, and though with all his soul
he hated 1t, he would do as she de-
sired.
very we'll" he assented quietly.
"Shall l stop the cab now?"
please"
He tapped on the roof Of the han.
som and told the cabby to draw in at
the next corner. Thus he was put
down not far from his home-below