Democratic messenger., 1909-03-20

the burglar. who stood impassively
waiting for Developments.
Like yourself" the girl boldly ad-
mltted. 81 meant to fall back on this
safe for help. You got there first.
Now | can send you back to jail. but
don't know" she mused as II In
doubt. My conscience would never
be clear II I sent you to prison for get
ting up earlier than did myself"
The burglar looked up with light Of
grim sympathy In his eyes as the girl
fingered the revolver. lie did not seem
to be dismayed by the heartlessness
she evlnccd.
"Yet II seems to me-" Miss Morley
suddenly announced. facing the bur-
glar squarely and with little color.
that you and are pair Of weak
kneed babies. We have expcrienc.
ell few of the worlds bitterly disap-
pointed experiences. aad we both
whine. Don't you SUPPOSE that-that
we could help each other TO stand and
stick II out-pool our courage. so tc
speak,"
Wonderlngly the burglar looked at
her for a moment as though he were
fearful OF some unfathomed and cruel
humor. He had let himself drop down
In huddled heap beside the safe.
Now he lifted himself upright and
was about to advance step when she
stayed him with upllfted hand.
"Helcn." he implored. Twill you.
after all have been through-will you
literally cast your fortunes with me?
| promise that you shall never have
occasion again to be ashamed of me-"
"No. no." the girl besought with
haste almost hysterlcal. "We'll draw
up n compact TO so into partnership OF
friends. We have saved each other
from crime. and we will stand by
each other. and we'll strike this of the
minutes before we adjourn. How say
you?"
"And II the fight be good oneY'
Gorham asked softly. "Will you have
confidence then in me? Oh. heavenw
With resolute movement he step
ped forward to touch her. Hitherto
her manner had been half play yful. half
ironical. but II was altogether to hide
her deeper feelings. With an effort
that brought her figure splendidly
erect she warded him of.
mo, no. no" she commanded. Not
here and now. No: but promise me.
John. promise me here and now. that
you and ! part tonight members of
compact to fight the fight Of righteous
ness no natter how hard II may be.
If-if-if you care TO see me-" she fal-
tered, you Will know how to find me.
But now-nothing but your promise.
and then-go!'
He looked at her steadily while he
breathed once or twice II seemed as
II he would defy her and take her to
himself In spite of what she might do.
but finally he turned to the open libra
~ door At the moment Of passing
out he turned and looked at her once
again. Neither spoke, and she hardly
seemed TO know the exact instant Of
his leaving. She thought he was sure
ly gone. however, when he stepped
back into the room.
Helen" he began, and she knew
that he would have his question an
swered, when can come back to you
able honestly to take care Of you. may
I-comeT
He heard her softly speak her an
swer. and with a gesture Of gladness
he was gone certainly this time.
The safe was still open. and some Of
the papers lay as the burglar had drop
ped them. Helen turned to these and
began restoring them to their former
order.
81 pray he will come back again to
me-" she breathed. "It may be a long
while to wait until he can. but pow
erty and disgrace-nothing matters II
only we may have some happiness at
last. even the happiness that is nearly
all hardship"
She had the will In her hands, and.
in spite Of herself. she opened and read
It. Before she finished she stood erect
In her excitement. Folding the paper.
she placed II in the safe and closed
the iron door. Then she turned back
toward her room.
'He Is coming back when he can
honestly take care Of me-" she told
herself joyfully. "and all Of Uncle
Growers money Is willed TO him In
compensation for all he hs4 suffered
He will soon be back for me-"
She could not sleep any better even
now, but the restlessness had given
place to a peace Of mind and perfect
happiness that were very good.