The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-02-11

COOK step forward.
"Jessica!' he exclaimed.
She came toward him, her breath
hurried, her cheek pale. Tom Felder's
face was at her shoulder. ST have q
little matter to attend to in the Office, -
he said, nodding to Harry. 81 shall
wait for you there, Miss Holme"
She thanked him with grateful
look, and as he vanished, Harry took
her hand and kissed it. He lonsed to
take her in his arms.
Il heard Of it only at noon," she be-
gan, her voice uncertain. 81 was
AFRAID they would not let me see you,
SO l went to Mr.. Fielder. They were
saying on the street that he had Of
Tered to defend you"
Il had not been here an hour when
he came" he said.
Il know you have no money!" she
went on. Il know what you did with
the gold you found. And I have bep-
sed him to let me pay for any other
counsel he will name. I have not told
hlm-What am to you, but have told
MIN that l 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 helm from
any one. Hugh, Hugh! Why do Won
do this? The money should be yours
not mine, for it was your fathers. It
! is yours, for am your wifew
He kissed her hand again without an
swering.
Haven't a right now to he at your
side? Mayn't 1 tell them?
He shook his head. Not vet. Jes-
sica."
Il 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
II love you so, Hughv'
Il 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.
| IT an angel from heaven had come to
declare it would not have believed it.
l only want now to understand
What do you not understand" he
asked gently.
She half turned toward the door as
she said, in lower key: "After you
had gone many things came back to
me that seemed strange-something Gu
r1ous in your manner. You had not
! seemed wholly surprised when told
you you were accused. Why did you
shut the cabin door and speak so low?
Was there any one else there when I
tameT'
BE 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 his tanks
were cut cruelty with a whip. You did
not use him. but some one did,
She waited moment. Still he made
no reply.
II want to ask you," she said abrupt
~, do you know who killed DR.. Mo-
reau?'
His blood chilled at the question. He
looked down at her speeches.. You
must let me speak," she said. You
won't answer that. Then you do know
who really did it. oh, I 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? II 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 don't hate you as they
did. but they think you did it-even
Mr.. Fielder, though I have told him
what I suspect and though he is work
ing now to defend your
"Jessica," he urged. you must trust
me and have faith in me- know it is
hard. but l can't explain to you! l
can't tell you-yet-why I do as l am
doing. but you must believe that am
right"
"You speak as if you were sorry for
me-" she said, "and 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,"
1T is not that. Jessica," he said
gravely. "yet you must not fear for me
for my life. Try to believe me when
say that some time you will under
stand and know that 1 did only what
must"
evil 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
''oh, then. shall not be afraid. 1 can
not share your thoughts nor your Sc
cret, and I must rebel at that. You
mustn't blame mel wouldn't be
woman if l did not-but 1 love you
more than all the world, and 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
and trembling lips the iron of his pur-
nose bent to the man in him opd no