The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-25

ne came I'D anu lDDAEN AALf az
the girl who was kueelins be-
side him.
Don't say that I was out of my
mind I didn't know what 7 was do
ing!" cried Bess. forcing back the tor
rent Of emotion, that started 10 express
itself in tears
The man felt of the welt on his head
and a smoldering wrath shone in his
eyes. Bess feared as me staggered TO
his feet that he would strike her But
he was far too cunning for that.
"You'u suffer for that blow you gave
me more than I did, Miss" he cried
standing close TO her in threatening
attitude.
Haven't YOU any pity?' she rejoin-
ed "Tm sorry; I didn't mean to do If,
on, won't you give me little time be
fore you tell of this?"
Time for what?' ne asked, with
brutal look IN his eyes. To make your
getaway"
NO. Only a short while. TN swear
70 come back. But I think there must
be some mistake here" Bess answered
earnestly.
The other wavered.
How much time do you want?' he
asked sulIenIy-
She calculated quickly.
It'll tonight at s. was her reply.
But my duty as a citizeE-
Your duty as a man" Bess cut him
of.
his eyes evaded hers and he shifted
nervousIv TO the other foot.
wen as we've always been neigh
bors an in order TO give you chance
he answered slowly, I'm put IT on TIL
tonight. but you've got to agree 10
have IL known that / put IL on on your
account alone"
surely she assented eagerly.
Having gained her point, Bess left
and ran. with a disdainful nod ana
hurried back 10 her horse. The AM
NAL had stroHed into nearby pasture
TO Craze and Bess caught her easily
AS she turned back toward nome the
girl east a glance toward Barlow. lie
was carefully replacing the articles III
Jiul's bag and there was a selL-sall7
smile on his crafty face
For a moment suspicion entered NeI
mind But she quickly dismissed lI
Tor the meeting az the side Oh the ran
road had seemed so accidental
Sine urged on the horse no deAhlle
idea sn her mind
home. hut the sense of action possessed
her When moving she felt that she
was doing something. 1t gave her better
chance TO think. AT length, Bess decided
that the best possible way 20 employ
the Twelve hours grace was 90 go dl~
rectly 20 Dewitt
The only doubt she had was that it
would be possible to make the trip there
and back iu that time, If she allowed
herself interval enough iu which 10 JalE
with Jim.
There uere many things that argued
against such a journey but the giri was
fnpuIsive and she could not remain
idle while Jim was iu trouble and sAes
"a a way, 10 blame.
suddenly it occurred TO her that there
VIZ a train 90 Dewitt somewhere about
now. IF she acted il must Doe az once
Tn a moment her resolution was taken.
She chose the road 10 the station at
turning point instead OF going home.
The Wild gaIIop at which she was ride
ing soon brought Ler into the main
street Of the village. She did not care
what the people thought NO" there
was nc time TO lose Tearing up q" the
station, Bess threw her reins 10 a boy
idIing near by and rushed into the sta-
zion.
when is the Dewitt train due2' she
asked breataIessly.
Now, Miss Brown" replied the agent,
looking up al her IN establishment
Give me a ticket, please cried Bess.
Surely you amt goiH' lu that way?
Why. YOU haven't even q hat Cu, VEN
4rred the agent who had known her
Family for years.
yes. it's urgent Hurry, please
Then a SUDDEN thought came to her.
She had no money.
In "a fash Bass was out OF tho sta
zion. Across the street was the grocery
where her father ran an account Rush
gng I'm there. she demanded sl0 and told
the stOrGEeeuer 90 charge lt 0u her
fathers bin.
The transaction was quickly made
Bess few back 10 the station just as
the train was pulling iH. tod the boy
20 take her horse TO the livery stable,
secured the Dewitt ticket and jumped
aboars just ia time.
Not once did fl occur 10 her that sine
MAS not dressed for travelling Nothing
made any difference now. Her mind
was gull of Jim
JIm in jail, It was all her fault
Why couldn't she have been more mod
crate when sine had sent him aWayg
Her mind was fun Of seIf-accusauon.
why had she excited him 20 such
a pitch? But what what could he have
douag Her faith iu bis absolute honesty
was b0uudless; she feared only that he
had done something rash I'm the heat of
passion. a passion aroused by her.
IL was with a mighty effort that
she held herself calm and eudeav0red
...#
every part or her being.
II only that haunting doubt of her
brother George would leave her She
knew he was ina debt. She knew uIm
10 be weak.
What 81 some one had persuaded him
90 do the thiugt Her course Of action