The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-02-25

a small emblem : "o''' V''"e'S'U'10'
of gold.
"By this Cross she cried with des-
perate earnestness, II ask you for the
truth. 1t is his life or death-Hughs
life or death! He did not kill DR.. Mo-
reau. Who did?'
Hugh had shrunk back on the couch,
his face CHASTITY. II know nothing
nothing" he stammered. "Do not ask
me!'
The bishop had risen in alarm. He
thought her hysterical. "Jessica! Jes-
sica!' he exclaimed. He threw his
arm about her and led her from the
couch. You don't know what you are
saying. You are beside yourself" He
forced her into the drawing room and
made her sit down. She was tense
and quivering. The cross fell from her
hand, and he stopped and picked it up
"Try to calm yourself" he said, ito
think of other things for few mo-
ments. This little cross-I wonder how
you come to have it? I gave it tc
Sanderson last May to commemorate
his ordination" He twisted it open.
"See, here is the date, May %. That
was the day I gave it to him."
She gave quick gasp, and the last
vestige Of color faded from her cheek
She looked at him in stricken way.
Last May" she said family. Harry
Sanderson had been in Aniston, then.
on the day DR.. Moreau had been MUIR
dered. Her house of cards fell. She
had been mistaken! She leaned her
head back against the cushion and
closed her eyes.
Presently she felt a cold glass touch
her lips Here is some water,'' the
bishops voice said. You are better,
are you not? Poor child! You have
been through a terrible strain. |
would give the world to help you if |
could"
He left her, and she sat duly trying
to think. The regular jar of the trucks
had set itself to rhythm-no hope, nc
nope, no hope! She knew now that
there was none When the bishop re-
entered she did not turn her head. He
sat beside her awhile, and she was
aware again of his voice, speaking
soothingly. At moments thereafter he
was there, at others she knew that she
was alone, but was unconscious of the
flight of time. She knew only that the
day was fading. On the chilly whirl-
ing landscape she saw only a crowded
room. jury box, a judges bench and
Hugh before it, listening to the sen
tence that would take him from her
forever. The bright sunlight was mer-
cilessly, satanically cruel and God a
sneering monster turning a crank.
Into her conscious view grew distant
snowy ranges, hills unrolling at their
feet, a struggling town, a staring white
courthouse and grim low building
beside it. She rose stumblingly. the
train quivering to the brakes, as the
bishop entered
This is Smoky Mountain" she said
with numb lips. ''That is the building
where he is being tried. I am going
there now
The bishop opened the door and gave
her his hand to the platform. The
train was to stop but ten minutes. He
stood a moment watching her as she
crossed to the street; then, with the
sadness deep in his heart, entered the
station to send telegram.
= :.
Hugh's haggard face peered after
them through rift in window cur
tain. What could she have suspected
Not the truth! And only that could be-
tray him. Presently the bishop would
return, the train would start again. and
this spot of terror would be behind
him. What had he to do with Harry
Sanderson?
He bethought himself suddenly of
the door. If some one should come in
upon him! With qualm of fear he
stood up, staggered to it and turned the
key in the lock. There was not tho
wonted buzz about the station. The
1.sEa