Bradford County telegraph. (Starke, Fla.) 1888-current, 1910-09-23

lngly. entreatiugly, her eyes sought bis
as she stood hesItating.
Are you cOmingT" the owner asked
ut IS not necessary to 60 inside, "
Madden said unexpectedly. 81 can
FORM q pretty good opinion out here. "
Then the girl flashed at him a smile
OF gratitude. Il thank you," she
murmured softly. MY patient dislikes
to be disturbed"
Miriam. as in thought he called her,
was quite friendly after that and
would often hnger at the gate to talk
when he passed the house upon one
pretense or another. though the
tangled branches seemed to bar him
out as completely as an iron door
might have done. But he had been
sent upon an important commission
and still deliberated long how best
to accomplish his purpose, so when
upon a moonlight night ne had been
irresistibly drawn toward the house
upon the hill he passed noiselessly
through the gateway, then on through
the deserted gardens to where q light
shone from beneath a half drawn cur
tain. II he could only succeed in this
thing which he had undertaken-If he
could finally satisfy himself that the
man whom he sought was there!
STOPPING, he peered under the blind.
Perhaps" said a low hooking
voice. you will be kind enough to tell
me what you expect to find In my
house"
Madden Strengthened suddenly and
looked in the direction Of a shadowy
corner where a girls white clad figure
was dimly outlined. IL beg your
pardon for having frightened you" he
said In confusion.
Il am not afraid in the least" the
owner Of the voice returned calmly,
but your actions are q littIe-er-un-
usual, don't you think?"
"Ine1cusable," he replied promptly
and advanced toward her ut is time
1 should be frank with you. The man
whom hoped to find In that room is
Robert Reynolds, Of whom you have
heard"
The girl arose. Her face shone very
white in the moonlight. and her eyes
were wide with hurt surprise. HE is
not in that house." she said slowly.
Have not told you SOP"
You have" he answered dOggedIy,
"and you will think me worse than i'm
pertinent now when l confess that l
thought you might be concealinS this
mans identity out of a mistaken idea
Of benefit to him"
She interrupted him angrily. 81 will |
listen to you no longer" she said. |
There Is no reason why L should |
trouble to prove my truthfulnesS.
Nevertheless"-she waved her hand
toward the great, silent house-"you |
are at liberty to convince yourself. 1 |
will remain here"
Madden ignored the offer. "Win you
at least allow me the privilege of ex-
planning" be asked desperately, to
morrow. If you would be so kind?"
The girl turned from him and slowly
assembled the steps. At the doorway
she paused. You may explain to-
morrow she said brokenly, while |
shall confess"
Miriam" he called, unconsciously
speaking her name. for he knew that
she was crying. but the door closed.
and the rusty bolt slid raspingly into
place.
She came to meet him upon the fol-
lowing morning, such pathetic, droop-
Ing little figure that Madden in his
anxiety to hasten through the ordeal
would have spoken at once, but she
put out a protesting hand. IF you
please" she asked, may tell my
story first?"
de silently nodded assent. then stood
looking gravely down upon her as she
sat before him.
1T is needless TO tell YOU" she began
N low. hopeless tone, that Robert
Reynolds IS my father. You are also
acquainted with the facts which made
{ necessary for us to hide away in
his Isolated village. They were too
'eady to judge him, l think, those
friends of his. and to cmbIazon
lis guilt in all the papers" She
covered her face with trembling hands.
L seem to see always the glaring
headlines: Robert Reynolds. Treasurer
II the Elite Club. Absconded.' BUT
mere are some things you do not
NOW. How this disgrace. following !
IS 1t did so closely upon the failure Of
he business which left us penniIeSs. {
hanged my father from strong. re- (
liant man into child startled at every !
ound! And l. who had never been {
2ugnt to decide for myself. had now I
o act Tor us both. So. wisely or un- {
wisely. L brought him here. where | I
AVE been doing my best to allav his {
ears-trying to coax him back to 5
Ourage." '
dld not come to prosecute your
ather. child" said Madden. 81 have I
zen searching for him. that is true. T
ut 1t was in order to bring him good '
ews, to clear his name Of a false i'm Z
utation." T
Miriam gave a little cry. ooh. how I
nall l know 1t is true?" she said. j
Whom can 1 trust?" a
he bent over, looking down at her
ltyingly. There is one whom you 8
7ouId have to trust always" he said
emily. And when she asked. doubt {
lg, who that might be he onsuerod q