St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-06-29

the opposite end of the room. where it
saw living presence. For a moment
they looked at each other The man 5
face turned very pale; his hand touch
ed the back Of ID chair; he steadied him
self
Il thought-to enter armory hall.
Did not know your rooms were here
he managed to say in low tone. lat
this corner of Strathorn House
She did not answer. so they stood
silently, absurdly. The man had to
speak first He pulled himself togeth-
er. The bad fortune that had logged
him so long. that he had fought against
so hard, now found its elimination 1t
had cast him of all places at her feet.
So be it. Well. destiny now could
harm him little more
81 had hoped you would never know,
but the gods. it seems''-he could even
laugh-.'have ordained otherwise. .Fata
DISTANT
He stopped suggestion of pain
crept into her expression. But the
laugh returned to his lips, the ulster to
his eyes.
"a good many people have their
pasts Can you imagine what mine
may have BEEN"
She seemed to stand in a hateful
dream. Looking at him-the torn even
ing clothes. his face. pale, different
Listening to him-to what?
"a convict" said the man. Yes.
that's what L was. Had been in jails-
jails. And was sent out of the coun-
tod ptIf fiTrln
went by, and the convict thought he
might safely come back-boldly. with
impunity. The years and circum-
stances had altered him. wrought great
changes He felt compelled TO return
why is of no moment-believed him.
self secure in SO doing and was until
chance led him out of his accustomed
way-to new walks, new faces, where
Law the danger, the ambush, into which
he who thought himself strong like a
weak fool walked or was led blindly."
The blue eyes bent like stars now on
this man in her room standing before
her with bold. hooking face as if his
dark eyes read. understood every
thought that passed through her brain.
You. Then it was you-John Steele
THAT they
''The convict they tried to arrest?
Yes"
'You? | don't''- Her voice was
almost childlike.
81 will help you to-understand!"
An ashen shade came over his face.
The man paused There was
strange CLEAN in the dark eyes that
fingered on her. Its light was sue
ceeded by another, a fercer express
sion. For the first time she moved.
shrank back slightly. I'm afraid
used a few Of them roughly" he said
with look derisory. There was no
time for soft talk. 1t was cut and
run-give leg ball. as the thieves
say" Did he purposely relapse into
coarser words to clinch home the
whole damning, detestable truth?
''But it was a close call out there in
the garden. They were before the
convict in the woods. He must needs
double back to the shadow Of the
house! At the bottom of a moat he
looked up to balcony overhead, small
as Juliet's. though l swear he thought
It led to arnory hall, not here. Had
stayed there first. and But, as 1t
was. he heard voices around the cor
ner; afar, men approaching. The ivy
at Strathorn House is almost as old
as the house itself, the main branches
larger than mans arm. 1t was not
difficult to get here, though I wish
now"-he dared smile bitterly-"they
had come on me f1rst.''
She moved slowly out into the room.
His face was half averted. He did
not turn, although he must have
known she was near. With his back
toward her he gazed down at the soft,
bright hues of the rug and on 1t
white thing, tiny bit of lace, hand
futtered to the floor and had been left
lying there.
''But''-she spoke now-"you-you
who seemed all that was-I can't be-
ieve-it is impossible, inconceivable!'
81 have told you the truth because"
the words broke from him-'I had
to. Must I'-despite himself there
was an accent of acutest pain In his
voice-"repeat itY'
"Oh," she said, lit was infamousi"
The word struck him like a whip
and dashed his face to dull red. The
silence grew.
81 would not presume to dispute or
to contradict any conclusion you may
have reached" He spoke at length In
a low, even voice. 81 had not, as /
said, intended this last, this most in
excusable Intrusion. You have now
only one course to Dursue''-his gaze