Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-04-21
CHAPTER XIII.
"V TOOK-some of-that money" Av-
cry finally managed to say as he
saw his two friends before him.

cry nnally managed 10 say as ne
saw his two friends before him.
4 "And you put 1t back" smiled
Valentine. THE minute you touched
it you found you couldn't
"That's IT," put in Avery eagerly
as he arose and proceeded to aid Red
In restoring the scattered money to
its place. Il couldn't take It then
Now can 20 out Of here and know
that TIL never steal again.
you mustn't go until Doyle conrs
in. for he might see you on the street"
warned Valentine. when he comes
you can go out through the vault
room and make your getaway while,
| stall him here"
In talking with Avery. Jimmy Val.
entine unconSciously fell into the uSp
of the vernncular Of bis early voca.
ton
With parting handShake Avery
went our into the vault room. where
Red was to exhibit to him the biz
new safe. The assistant cashier. now
that the tray Of money had been re-
placed on the table. picked up the
photograph hung il in the pluce OF
another affixed to the wall at the
right of his desk and inspected II
with pronounced satisfaction.
The hall door opened. and Rose Lane
came into the office. The girl was in
peculiar mood that day-there was
no denying It, Valentine had always
found his benefactor. young though
she was. particularly difficult to faith
ON, and today she was more battling
than ever. She talked at length re-
garding her plans for the chlldren's
Christmas celebration, and. standing
before his desk. while he stood behind
it, she sald' And | want to know
what you want for Christmas
'Is there anything l could wantY
he answered in low tones. Think of
what you and two short years have
done for me-"
"And there's never anything more
you want? Don't you ever dream
dreams Of. say, two years more?' She
turned her eyes to the floor.
"Oh. yes. to go on as I've been going
these last two, since your father gave
me position of trust, and make ev-
erything good and pile up the money
for you"
She drew away from him.
Haven't you ever thought there
might be something want more than
money"
Valentine hesitated. His voice be-
came intensely serious.
II don't let myself think of you only
as your employee" he finally answer
ed.
Rose turned sideways to him. SO
that he could not see her face as she
delivered her next question. although
she would have given much to have
been able to watch the expression Of
the assistant cashier-her assistant
cashier-as she asked It,
But" she ventured, "you must have
thought that l would marry some
day"
Silence, with Valentine fumbling in
embarrassment a pencil which lay
upon his desk
"Yes-I"- he began. but Rose con-
tinued his sentence for him.
"And 1t hurts you to think Of it,
doesn't 1t? Say it,"
Eyes"
"Go on"
He could endure the situation no
longer. The girl had penetrated his
very soul with her questions. had un-
covered in Jimmy Valentine the Sc
crets of his new life-the secrets
which he had resolved to keep buried
forever. But now he must speak. He
must tell her the truth about his sit
uation as regarded her-part Of the
truth, at least
"And the thought of you brings
darkness, desolatien." he said, keep
ing firm grip on the emotions that
threatened to unnerve him. what is
the use? You're all there is to live for
to just see you now and then. You're
all there is to life. Men have loved
and slaves have loved and animals
that have been saved have loved, but
never were the three loves fused in
one. And you're good, and your life is
clean, while mine-but you know all
that" He inclined his face from her
II have forgotten" she said simply.
you cannot. And any day the shad-
ow Of other days may fall. But want
you to know this and believe it as
your God-my love for you is holy
thing, sacred and deathless." Valen-
tine was looking earnestly into her
eyes now, His hand was resting on
the desk. She seized it In hers and
drew him toward her.
Take me in your arms, Lee" she
cried fervently. 81 love you. I'll love
you till"- Her face was upraised to
his as she clung to him. He held her