Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-01-14
Il had not been here an hour when

him-what l am to you, but | have told
him that 1 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 his? The money should be yours,
not mine. for it was your fathers! 1t
is yours, for l am your wife!"
He kissed her hand again without an
swering.
Haven't l a right now to be at your
side? Mayn't l tell them?"
He shook his head. Not yet, Jes-
sica."
Il must obey you," she said, with a
wan smile, yet l would share your
shame as proudly as your glory! You
are thinking me weak and despicable,
perhaps, because l wanted you to go
away. But women are not men, and /
i love you so, Hugh
II think you are all that is brave and
good" he protested.
II want you to believe" she went on.
that knew you had done no murder.
II an angel from heaven had come to
declare 1t l would not have believed it.
l only want now to understand"
What do you not unucrstand?" he
asked gently.
She half turned toward the door as
she said, in a lower key: After you
had gone many things came back to
me that seemed strange-something Gu
rious in Your manner. You had not
seemed wholly surprised when l told
you you We're accused. Why did you
shut the cabin Coor and speak so low?
Was there any one else there when !
came?'
He averted his face, but be lid not
answer. She was treading on near
ground.
My horse came back this after
noon," she continued. "IIe had been
ridden hard in the night. and his tanks
We're cut cruelty With ii whip. Yon did
not use him, out some one did"
She waited a m Still he made
no reply.
"Iswant to ask you" she said abrupt
ly, "do you know who killed DR.. Mo-
reau?"
His blood chilled at the question. He
looked down at her speeclless. You
must let ME speak," she said. You
Won't answer that. Then you do know
who really did it. 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. see it in all
their faces. They are sorry. many of
them, for they Cont hate you as they
did. but they think you did it-even
Mr. Fielder. though | have told him
what ! suspect and though he is work
ing now to defend you"
"Jessica," he urged. you must trust
and have faith in me. | know it is
hard. but | can't explain to you! ]
can't tell you-yet-why | do as l am
doing, but you must believe that I am
right
You speak as if you We're sorry for
me-" she said. land not for yourself.
Is it because you know you are not in
real danger that you know the truth
must come out. only you can't tell it
yourself or tell me either? Is that it,"
"It is not that. Jessica." he said
gravely. yet you must not fear for me
for my life. Try to behave me when
| say that some time you will under
stand and know that l did only what !
must"
"Nill that be soon?" she asked.
81 think it may be SOON" he an
swered.
Her face lighted. The puzzle and
dread lifted. "Oh, then" she said
ooh, then, / shall not be afraid, | can
not share your thoughts nor your Sc
cret, and | must rebel at that. You
mustn't blame mel wouldn't be a
woman if | did not-but l love you
more than all the world, and l shall be-
lieve that you know best. Hugh" she
added softly. do you know that-you
haven't kissed me?"
Before her %upturned. pleading eyes
duu lieluUlluS llpS lue llOu VI Ills puI-
pose ben to the man in him. and he
took her into his arms.
A frosty gloom was over the city Of
Aniston. moon and stars hidden by a
cloudy sky, from which a light snow.
the first Of the season. was sitting down.
The streets were asleep. Onlyoccasional
belated pedestrians were to he seen in
the chilly air. These saw a man, his
face muf11ed from the snowfakes. pass
hurriedly toward the fountained square,
from whose steeple 2 o'clock was just
striking. The wayfarer skirted the
square, keeping in cover Of the build.
ings as though avoiding chance obser.
walton. till he stood on the pavement
Of a Gothic chapel fronting the open
space.
On the night Of bis flight from