The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-04-07
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"Biiiy Murgatroyd, you've got to-
help these people outl'
"If such thing were possible. shir.
ley. you've the one person to make me
do II.
"You must do it," she per~'-ted and
looked ut him appealingly. OF
course the IMAM could NOT have been
himself"
probably not he said coldly. But
OF one thing you may be sure-Chal-
loner had a purpose in all this"
Il suppose you realize that this thing
is going to kill Miriam ChalloDerT'
Shaking his head. Murgatroyd rose
and began to pace the 6oor Al last
he stopped directly In front of her.
"Shirley"-it was surprising how
gentle his voice could be at tlmes-'l
want you to realize the circumstances
of this case. which you seem to have
forgotten. In the presence of several
people including yourself. this man
has deliberately confessed to u pre-
meditated murder man In my Gus
tody is witness to the facts. No; II
Challoner were my brother or my IA
ther-m more than that, II you were in
Challonsr's place today should have
to try you-cOnvict you"
"But the condition that made him do
this thing was abnormal" she per
sisted
Like other men Of his kind" re-
turned Murgatroyd. "Chaloner's de
cent at times; but, generally speaking.
he's lrretrievably bad"
But can't you get him of In some
way? There are ways. and you know
it,"
MurgatrOyd smiled grimly.
MY dear girl. If ! would do this
thing | couldn't shall go step
further. II | could do IL wouldn't.
couldn't look you In the face II did
IT,"
You're cruelr' she cried. rising. IL
ought not to have come. However.
have done what I could for friend"
she dung back at him and started to-
ward the door.
Murgatroyd blocked her way.
NO" he said good humoredly. not
the least disconnected by her parting
shot. ITS my turn now. You have
attempted TO corrupt me, swerve me
from my duty. and
And wasted your time. | suppose,
AS you were good enough to remind
me on previous OCCASION" she re.
turned. looking up saucily at him un.
der her lashes.
Murgatroyd was quick to detect her
change of mood. saying:
Wont you for the moment forget
the Challoners. Shirley? Be kind. You
give me little opportunity to see you
alone these days"
"If you're going to make love to me
In that awfully serious way of yours.
I'll CO."
Aren't you going to marry me, Shir-
ley p he demanded with characteristic
dii ectness.
Same old story" laughed the girl
"Yes; this is the sixth time now
that I've asked you. Again. will you
marry meT
Don't be silly! This is hardly the
place, Billy"
81 quite agree with you. But one
has TO make the most of opportunity
AS | said before. the occasions are all
too rare when | lind myself alone With
you. And unless you want me to keep
asking you speak the word now, Shir
ley. Make me happy. You may as
well say II 6rst as last. for I'm deter
mined to win you. I'm going to have
| h.
Then why bother about my con.
sentT A smile lowered around her
lips.
why do you persist in refusing
meT
Shirley flushed.
"ls II because of Thorne? Is he my
successful rivalT' be ventured.
Shirley looked perturbed.
mo; it's not because of Thorne. |
wish II were" And after u moment.
do you still want to known
"Yes; I've got to know, Shirley"
"Will you stay right where you are
II tell you?"
II promise" raising his right hand
half playfully.
"well, then, it's because l love you"
she said easily.
Murgatroyd sprang toward her.
Shirley"
The girl quickly waved him back.
ITS because love you or believe
that l do that l shall never marry
you. I mean it,"
But why?" he faltered.
Shirley sighed unconsciously.
"It is time that made myself plain
J understood to you. not because you're
entitled to an explanation. but be-
, cause-well because | like you just q
p bit"
A serious look was on her face. She
} seemed suddenly to have changed
The thousand and one little manner
/ l-..-- - IL u.