The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-06

"T NRUTES. every one OF tneH''
and Billy Murgaroyd the
d worst Of air. The exciama-
49, ton fell from Shirley Blood
goods lips.
why. thought you liked Mr. Mur-
gatroyd, Shirieyy'
You have things badly twisted.
Miriam-Ae likes me-" And, suddenly
rising to her fee, she cinpped her
hands impulsively. oh. Miriam, I've
good news for you!"
Good news? Whit good newsF
| Miriam asked incredulously-
Prosecutor Murgatroyd." che began.
"told me In CONFIDENCE
| "Iu confidence." Miriam repeated.
1 'sThen you had better not
| Shirley shook her head belligerentiy.
! .oh, nor. she laughed. Its all
right. Billy Murgatroyd likes to tell
things 10 me. He told me once that
he believed that to be one OF the con-
trolling motives that led to matrimony
that a man should have somebody
to tell things to-"
.Butr- again protested Miriam.
Once more Shirley siienced her
s.So. I shall tell you This may be
matter OF life and death. Besides, you
are entitled TO know the truth
eyes YES" assented Miriam: tell
me. / must know"
..s,nrratroyd told me. Miriam, tho
greatest cock and bull story you ever
t heard" Miriam looked as II her Dram
would snap. 1T seems that the papers
have distorted, exaggerated every
| thing. The fact is. Miriam. dear, the
case Is the fiimsiest"-
Miriam drew a deep breath.
Then Shirley went on to tell tha4
nobody had seen Hargraves killed, NO
body had seen the shot fired: that they
had only got some disreputabie gam
bier or other who claimed to have was-
messed a quarrel between them.
And oh. yes" she added a moment
- later, "the man that killed Harsraves
a robbed him Of $4,000. and. OF course.
a Lawrence Chalioner wouldnt rob
man. much less kill one, SO. don't you
!. see. there's nothing in the story at all :"
!. ~ don't know" answered Miriam
slowly, whether he would or not"
n "Whatw gasped the girl
sepon't misunderstood me-" pleade4
a the woman. There are two Lawrence
ChallorerS One Ia the man ! love-
that loves me: the other II the Law
:. renee Challoner who--well. don't
!, care" she added f1ercely, what he's
y dome. I want him back" She sobbed
% for an instant "You didn't know,
Shirley, that we had quarrel.
\ treated him badly, shamefuliy. Hs
= hasn't come back since"
You quarreled-you, Miriam!
- "About money" admitted tie con
n science stricken woman--money. BE
wanted me to give him some. Mer
= have got to have money" she went on
repeating his words. "and wouldn't
q give him any. 1t was brutal In me.
n can never forgive myself"
A look of establishment crossed Shir
ley's face.
- "You wouldn't give him any mon
n cyl And he didn't have any when n
is went nwayT
ID Miriam wept. After moment sh'
.ir answered:
"No. Ny poor Laurie! Think o
e him starving. freezing. perhaps az
by ingr'
= Shirley Bioodgood drew . lcnl
dy breath.
m, sAnd Colonel Hargraves was ron
en- bed" she murmured to herself.
ut II don't think you understand "A
Ike Ram went on. breaking In upon be
re- tlioughts "Of course don't believ
ey that Laurie Is guilty Of the things the
to charge him with. But he must com
back and stand trial and be acquitte
and must stand By his side throug
lin It all" She broke down completely.
whats thaty' inquired MrA Cha
loner, starting mp nervously, In alarm
sTts that horrible bell ringing again,
she wentron brea4hlessly- 81, %
Shirley stole to the door and listel
In ed. Suddenly the door was pusha
as, stealthily open.
40 Be Continually