The Wrangell sentinel., 1910-02-03
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John w. Harding
Copyright. 1908. by C. ". Dillins-
 ham Go.
He could bear it no longer.

in despairing tone, as though they a11- swered the Interrogation.
 She did not reply, but, rising and drawing from her bosom the paper Captain Williams had given her, hand- ed 1t to him.
 He took it hesitatingly, almost fear fully.
 For mel"
 'For you"
 As he read it the blood rushed to his face, and he gave sigh of i'm mense relief. Joyfully he looked over to her, but there was no responsive exultation. She appeared crushed. It might have been his death warrant.
 Doubling whether he had read it aright, he perused the acquittal again, with increasing eXultation.
 Emma, you've succeededv he cried; ''This means he won't prosecute and it's all right. You made him do 1t. You have saved me"'
 She nodded her acquiescence, and he went to her, brimming over with relief and qualification, to take her in his arms.
 You're the best little girl that ever happened, the pluckiest'-
 Gently she pushed him from her.
 "Please don't, Joel"
 "Why, what's the matter?"
 "I'm tired-very tired"
 Of course you arc" he said in tone of concern and tenderness. You sit down there. I'll bet you had hard time. I know what Williams is."
 He would have led her to the sofa, but again she repulsed him gently. He went to the table and took up the &C., quittal he had laid oh it.
 Found my accounts to be correct" he muttered That means he will have the books fixed up and nothing will show. Did he say much about meH
 Not very much.'
 "But I bet he gave you an awful ar gument. Williams is not an easy man to get to give in. But here it is in black and white, and he can't go back on this Did you ask him to put it in writing?'
 "No."
 Then he did 1t of his own accord. Wonder if he called the detectives off. Did he say anything about them|
 "No'
 But it's all clear sailing now" he went on, selfshly jubilant, already planning for the future. q can get another position and better one. There's enough money left to give me time to find one. Do you think hell interfere any more, EmmaT
 q don't know"
 What do you think? You must have some idea"
 q haven't the slightest"
 well, anyway, Emma, you did splen- didly. You came right to the front"
 AS he uttered the commendation he tried again to caress her.
 "Please don't, Joe"' This time she rebuffed him sharply and moved away. from him.
 "Oh, all right, if that's the way you feel about it!' He turned from her with an injured air and, lighting a cigarette, began to pace the room. Although in his re- | morse during her absence he had re- solved not to ask her what had passed in the captains rooms. curiosity, now that his confidence had been restored by the proof of immunity, tormented his vicious mind, He was. not only ready, but desired to know everything that had occurred even to unayowable details, if any such there were.
 He was there when you arrived?" he questioned, seeing that she showed no disposition to talk.
 "Yes."
 Anybody else" He was alone"
 "You must have caught him in ( good humor, He'd never have done this in one of his usual srouches. I didn't know you were such a diplomat. What did you say to him?
 "A. good many things.3
 Didn't tell him sent you, did yoa?"
 "1e knew.",
 "He, knew? How did he know? Who told him?' <.
 "I don't know He just knew |,
 Somebody must have told him. and you were the only one who knew"
 "No; he knew too. didn't tell" V
 "But how did you open the convcr- sation?"' he demanded .inpatiently. What did you say?' WHat'e the mat ter?, Cant you ,ahF wer me?'
 "I don't see wEy 1,shQuId." ,.ya ',
 q do. I want to know, and i'ir@e !