Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-27

VSE 20 lock, larry rose hastily
y from the iron cot wherein
he had been sitting and
took Il step forward.
".1cssica,' he exclaimed.
She came toward him. her breath
hurried, her check pale. Tom Felder's
face was az her shoulder. Il have Il
little matter to attend to in the Office"
he said, nodding to Harry. II shall
wait for you there. Miss Home"
She thanked him with grateful
look, and as he vanished Harry took
her hand and kissed it. re !ongcd TO
take her IN his arms.
II heard Of 1t only at roon," she be-
gan. her voice uncertain. IL was
afraid they would not let me see you.
80 went to Mr.. Fielder They were
vaying on the street that he had Of
Tered to defend you"
Il had not been here an hour when
he came" he said.
II know you have no money" she
went on. II know what you did with
the gold you found. And l have beg
ged him 10 let me pay for any other
counsel he will name. have not told
hin-what am to you, but have told
him that am far from poor and that
nothing counts beside your life. He
says you have forbidden him to do this
forbidden him to allow any help from
any one. Hugh, Hugh Why do you
do this? The money should be yours.
not mine, for it was your fathers. 1t
Is yours. for ! am your wife,"
He kissed her hand again without an
swering.
Haven't | n right now to be at your
side? Mayn't l tell them
He shook his head Not yet, Jes-
sica."
II must obey you," she said, with
wan smile yet would share your
shame us proudly us your glory. You
are thinking me weak and despicablc,
perhaps. because | wanted you TO go
away. But women are not men. and
Il love you so, Hugh
IL think you are all that is brave and
good" he protested
II want you to believe" she went on.
that knew you had done no murder.
If an angel from heaven had come to
declare it would not have believed it.
only want now to understand"
What do you not unucrstaud!" he
asked gently.
She half turned toward the door as
she said. IN a lower key: after you
had gone many things came back to
NE that seemed strange something Gu
rous in your manner You had not
seemed wholly surprised when | told
you you were accused. Why did you
gbut the cabin door and speak so low
Was there any one else there when |
came?'
He avcrted his face, but he did not
answer. She was treadlng on near
ground.
My horse came back this after
noon." she continued. HE had been
ridden hard In the night and his TANKS
were cut cruelty with whip. You did
not use hiuk but some one did"
She waited moment Still he made
no reply.
II want to ask you" she said abrupt
~. do you know who killed DR.. Mo
reau?"
His blood chilled at the question. He
looked down at her speeehless you
must let mo speak," she said you
won't answer that. Then you do know
who really did 1t. Oh. have thought
so much since last night! For some
reason you are shielding him. Was it
the man who was in the cabln-who
rode my horsef II he Is guilty why
do you help him or and SO make your.
self partly guilty? The whole town
believes you are guilty. see 1t in all
their faces. They are sorry, many Of
them, for they don't hate you as they
did, but they think you did lt--evcn
Mr.. Fielder. though have told him
what suspect and though be Is work
ing now to defend you"
"Jessica." he urged you must trust
me and have faith In me, know It is
hard, but ! can't explain to you. |
can't tell you-yet-why | do as am
doing, but you must believe that ! am
right"
You speak as II you were sorry for
me-" she said, "and not for yourself.
Is It because you know you are not IN
real danger-that you know the truth
must come out, only you can't tell 1t
yourself or tell me either? Is that it?''
ut Is not that Jcssica," he said
yravey. yet you must not fear for me
for my life. Try to believe me when
! say that some time you will under
stand and know that did only what |
must"
"Will that be soon?' she asked.
II think 1t may be soon," he an
ywered
Her face lighted. The puzzle and
dread lifted. "Oh, then" she said
"Oh. then. shall not be afraid. ! can
not share your thoughts nor your SO
rret, and | must rebel at that You
mustn't blame me- wouldn't be Il
woman II did not--but love yOn
more than all the world. and shall be
lieve that You know best. Hugh" she
added softly, ''do you know that--yo,
haven't kissed me-"
Before her upturncd. pleading eyes
md trembling lips the iron OF his pur
pose bent 10 the man In him, and he
took her into his arms,
A frosty gloom was over the city Of
Aniston. moon and stars hidden by 6
cloudy sky from which light snow
the hrst Of the season. was sitting down
The streets we're asleep. Only occasiona
belated pedestrians were to he seen In