Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-04-23

~ from the iron cot Wnereon
be had been sitting and
took a sJep forward.
"Jessica!" he exclaimed.
She came toward him, her breath
hurried. her cheek pale. Tom Folders
face was at her shoulder II have .
little matter to attend to In the Office
he said, nodding to Harry. II shall
wait for you there. Miss Holme."
She thanked him with a grateful
look, and as he vanished. Harry tooa
her hand and kissed it. He longed to
take her in his arms.
Il heard of 1t only at noon," she be
gan. her voice uncertain. 81 was
afraid they would not let me see you.
so | went to Mr.. Fielder, They were
saying on the street that he had OF
tered to defend you"
u had not been here an hour when
he came" be said.
II know you have no money" she
went on. u know what you did with
the gold you found. And | have beg
ged him to let me pay for any other
counsel he will name. ! have not told
him-what ! am to you, but | have toid
him that | am far from poor and thar
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 this? The money should be yours
not mine, for it was your fathers! L
is yours. for | am your wife!"
He kissed her hand again without an.
swering.
Haven't a right now to be at your
sidei Mayn't tell them?"
He shook his head. Not yet. Jes-
slea."
II must obey you" she said, with q
wan smile, yet | would share your
shame as proudly as your glory! Yor
are thinking me weak and d%espicable.
perhaps, because l wanted you to go
away. But women are not men, and .
Il love you so, Hughl"
II think you are all that is brave and
protested.
Il want you to believe" she went on
that ] knew you had done no murder
If an angel from heaven had come to
declare 1t | would not have believed Il
| only want now to understand"
"What do you not understands" 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 | told
you you were accused. Why did you
shut the cabin door and speak so low !
Was there any one else there when !
Gamer"
He averted bis face. but he did not
answer. She was treading on neal
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
no use him. but some one did"
She waited a moment. Still he made
no reply.
81 want to ask you" she said abrupt.
~. do you know who killed Dr. Mo
reauT'
His blood chilled at the question. He
looked down at her speechless You
must let me speak," she said. "Yon
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 II
the man who was in the cabin-whe
rode my horse3 If he is guilty. WHY
do you help him off and so make yonr
self partly guilty? The whole town.
believes you are guilty. see it in nj
their fdces. They are sorry. many oi
them, for they don't hate you as they
did. bit they think You did it-evel.
Mr.. Yelder, though ! have told him
what l suspect and though he is work
ing now to defend You"
.Jessica," he urged. You must trust
me and have faith in me know it Is
hard. but | can't explain to you, !
can't tell you-yet-why | do as | am
| doing, but you must believe that | am
tight"
you speak as If you were sorry for
me- she said. land not for yourself
4 Is IL DtAGASt NOA hAoN ~ a 49, "a
real danger-that you know the truth
must come out. only you can't tell II
yourself or tell me either? Is that itT'
sit is moi that. Jessica." be said
gravely. yet you must not fear for me
for my life. Try to believe me when
I say that some time you will under
stand and know that | did only what J
must"
xviii that be soon?" she asked.
II 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. can
not share your thoughts nor your Sc
cfet. and ! must rebel at that You
mustn't blame mel wouldn't be a
woman If l did not-but | love yon
imore thar all the world. and ] shall be-