Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-06


station, however, she was able TO take
Twin Peaks in the gray dawn of the
next morning.
When the train for which she waited
came in, the cmtained car at its end,
she did not wait for the bishop to find
her on the platform, but stepped aboard
and made her way slowly back. 1t
started again as she threaded the last
Pullman. to find the bishop Oh its rear
platform peering out anXiously ut the
receding station.
He took both her hands and drew her
into the empty drawing room. He was
startled at her pallor. Il know" he
said pityingly. Il have heard"
She WINGED. Does AniSton know"
yes" he answered. Yesterdays
newspapers told it,"
She put her hand on his arm. Can
you guess why l was coming home"
she asked. 1t was TO tell Harry San
derson! l know of the fire." she went
on quickly, "and of his injury. | can
guess you want to spare him strain or
excitement, but l must tell hin.'
He reflected moment. He thought
he guessed what was il her mind. If
there was any one who had ever had
an influence over Hugh for good it was
Harry Sanderson. He himself he
thought. had none. Perhaps, remem
bering their old comradeship, she was
longing row to have this influence ey-
erted to bring Hugh to better mind,
thinking of his eternal welfare. of his
making his peace with his Maker.
.Viry WELL" he said. Come" and
led the way into the car.
Jessica followed. her hands clinchcd
tightly. She saw the couch. the profile
on it's cushions turned toward the win
dow where forest and stream slipped
pasta face cCriously like Hugh'S!
Yet it was different, lacking the others
strength, even its refinement And
this man had nodded Hugh! These
vague thoughts lost themselves in
, stantly il the momcntous surmise that
filled her ina gination, The bishop put
out his hand and touched the relaxed
arm.
| The trepidation that darted into the
bardaged face as it turned upon the
! girlish figure, the frosty fear that
blanched the haggard countenanee.
spoke Hugh's surprise and dread. 1t
| was she and she knew the real Harry
Sanderson was in Smoky Mountain.
Had she heard of the chapel fire,
guessed the .imposture and come to
| denounce him. TIE guilty husband she
had such reason to hate? The witch
ing limbs stiffcned. "Jessica" he said
In Il hoarse whisper
Harry" said the bishop. "Jessica is IN
great trouble. She has come with sad
news. Hugh. her husband. your old
college mate, is in terrible position
He is accused of murder. l kept the
newspapers from you today because
they told of it,
, She h2d caught the meaning Co tht
i, pity in Ills tonc-for her. not for Hugh
All she cried passionately. liftin:
her head. ''but they did not tell it ali
Did they tell you that he is unjustly
I wickedly accused by an enemy? That
though they may convict him, he is in
, nocent-innocent?''
| The bishop looked ut her in surprise
III spite of all the past-the shameful
conscienceless past and her own wron;
she loved and believed in her hus
> band.
: Iiugh's hand lifted, wayered an in
; slant before his brow. Did she say h
: was innocent? Il Gon't-understand
: he said hoaTSely.
\ Jessica's wide eyes fastened on hi
3 as though to search his secret sou
Il will tell it ALL" she said, then yo
81 will understand" The bishop drew 2
n chair close, but her gaze did no
o waver from the face on the cushions
y the face which she must readl
: AS she told the broken tale the ca
Y was STILL save for the labored. irree
S ular breathing of the PROSTATE ma
II and the muffied roar that penetrate
It the walls, a multitudinous, elfin din.
= you see." she ended, that is why
e know he is innocent. You cannot
her eyes Ii ED
: Hugh's you H~b
e cannot doubt 1t,