Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-08


face turned very pale; his hand toucn
ed the back of chair: be steadied nim
self.
II thought--to enter armOry han
Did not know your rooms were here.
be managed to say in low tone 'al
this corner of Strathorn House"
she did not answer, so they stood
silently. absurdly. The man had to
speak hrst lie pulled himself tOgetb
er The bad fortune that had dOggec
him so long. that ne had fought against
80 hard. now found its elimination. II
had cast nin OF All places at her feet
SO be Il. Well. destiny now could
harm him little more.
Il had hoped you would never know.
but the gods. II 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 uster to
his eyes.
"a good many people have their
pasts. Can you imagine what mine
may have beenF
She seemed TO stand in a hateful
dream. Looking at hlm-tbe torn even
Ing clothes. his face, pale, different
Listening TO him-tO what?
"A convict" said the man. Yes,
that's what was. Had been in jails
jails! And was sent out OF the coun
try years ago-transported. But time
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 10 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
lay the danger, the ambush, into which
he who thought himself strong like II
weak fool walked or was led bindly."
The blue eyes bent like stars now on
this man in her room standing before
her with bold. mocking face as II his
dark eyes read, understood every
thought that passed through her braln
you. Then 1t was you-Johu Steele
that they
"The convict they tried to arrestf
Yes"
you? ! don't'- Her voice was
almost chidlike.
II 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 iercer expires
sion. For the first time she moved.
shrank back slightly. I'm afraid
used few of them roughly" he said
with look derisory. "There was no
time for soft talk. 1t was cut and
run-give leg BAIL as the thieves
say" Did he purposely relapse into
coarser words to elinch home the
whole damning. detestabe truth?
"But 1t was a close call out there in
the garden They were before the
In the woods. He must needs
double back to the shadow Of the
house, At the bottom of moat he
looked up TO a balcony overhead. small
as Juliet's. though | swear he thought
1t led to armory hall. not here. Had
he known the truth he would have
stayed there first, and But, as II
was. he heard voices around the cor
ner; afur. men approaching. The ivy
at Strathorn House is almost as old |
as the house itself, the main branches
larger than a mans arm II was not
difficult TO get here. though | wish
now"-he dared smile bitterly-"they
had come on me drst."
She moved slowly out into the room
His face WAS half averted He did |
not turn. although be must have
known she was near. With his back
toward her he gazed down at the soft,
bright hues of the rug and on II a |
white thing. a tiny bit Of lace, hand
kerchief that some time before had
8uttered TO the floor and had been left
ying there.
"But" spoke now-''you-you
who seemed all that was--I can't be
iove--it is impossible, inconceivablev
II have told you the truth because"
-the words broke from hint had
to. Must l''-despite himself there
was an accent OF acutest pain in his
itT'
"Oh." she said. 1T was infamousi"
The word struck him like a whip
md lashed his face 20 a dull red. The
silence grew.
II would not presume TO dispute or
% contradict any conclusion you may
nave reached" He spoke at length In
, low, even voice. IL had not as /
aid Intended this last, this most In
,xcnsable Intrusion. You have now
,nly one course TO pursue"-his gaze
urned 20 the long silken bell rope on
he wall-"and promise not to resist
NellT' he said.
She had suddenly stopped. In the
lall voices were heard approaching.
ie. too. caught them,
THAT simpiihes matters" he remark
d.
"Jocelynw The voice was that OF
iir Charles. "Are you thereg" She
I'd not answer. kindly unlock the
IooF."
(To be Continued.)