Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-26

pose stood distinct-to warn him. They
would know no reed to hasten. If the
! nan sitc loved had reached the cabin.
she would be before them.
She stood before the door, her hands
claspel tightly, her eyes on Harry's
face.
What has happened:" he asked
Men will be here soon-men from
j the town. / overheard them. / want
! cd to let you know" she hesitated. 1t
had grown all at once difficult to put
into words
Coming here? Why?"
ITO arrest man who is accused OF
murder
| If her eyes could have pierced the
bolted door few feet away. If she
could have seen that listening face
! behind il, as her clear tones fell. grow
instinct with recognition, Arrangement
ard evil suspicion-a look that her last
word swept into a sickly gray terror.
: If she could have heard the groan
from the wretcled man beyond!
Whose murder?"
"Dr. Morcau's."
Jessica waited with caught breath
searching his ccuntenance 1t was told
now, but. he must know that she had
| not credited it. that for better. for
| worse" she must believe in him now
Il knew, OH knew. she cried You
need not tell me.'
No he sail gravely. 81 am rot thu
| man they want. 1t has all come beck
to me-the past that / had lost Sach
crime has no part in it, Jessica." he
said, "you have tried 10 save me from
danger tonight. 1 need greater serv-
ice of you Row. 1t is to ask 10 ques-
| ton. but to go at once. ! cannot c.
plain why, but you must not stay here
moment"
"Oh,' she cried bitterly ''you don't
intend TO leave! You choose to face
it. and you want to spare me. II you
really want to spare me, you Will go,
! Why. you would have no chance where
they have hated you SO. PrendeTgast
was killed robbing the sFuice tonight.
and he lied-lied-lied, He swore you
did it, and they will believe a.
| He put back her beseeching hands
How could he explain? Only to get
her away-to gain time-to think,
Listen" she went on wildly They
{, will wait to carry him to the town.
l can go ard bring my horse here for
you. There is time. You have only
to send me word and win follow you
to the end of the world, Only say
you VIII go"
He caught at the straw The expedi-
ent might serve.
VERY WELL he said: bring him to
the upper trail ard wait there for me-
i She gave a sob of relief Mt his ac-
quiescence. Il will hurry, hurry she
cried and was gone, swift as swaI-
low fight. into the darkness.
] As he re-entered the cabin the calm
ness fell from Harry Sanderson as a
4 mask drops, and the latent passion
sprang in its place He crossed the
room and drew the bolt for the wretch
ed man who, after one swift glance at
his face, grovelei on his knees before
him. sobe-cd and shivering.
"For Gods sake. Harry, you won't
give me up?" Hugh cried. "You can't
mean to do that! Why, we were In
college together. I'd been drinking to-
might or wouldn't have talked to you
as did"
Harry drew his feet from the frantic
hands that clasped them. did you kill
Moreau?" he asked shortly.
"It was an accident" moaned Hugh.
Il never intended to. / swear to heav-
en- didn't. He bounded me, and he
tried to bleed me. I only meant to
brighten him of! Then-then-I was
afraid. and ran for 1t. That was
! when I came to you at Aniston and
we played" Hugh's breath came In
! gasps, and drops Of sweat stood on his
forehead.
j "when we played.- he echoed. 'sHow
have you settled your debt. the debt
l.of honor you once counted so highly:
How have you lived since then: Have
you paid me those days Of decent lIv
| ing you staked, and Iost?"
i But l wiii.'' he exclaimed desper
ately. ..If you'll cnly help me out O
Il this III five straight to my dying day
: You donl know how I've suffered