The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1911-01-19

xs1as
thsn. gradually. the meaning ae se0o-
thing on it penetrated my ninA. 0till
b tts papers. evidently just opsasA.
vas a hat boz. and protFsAias owes
ths edge of the box was . stFsa0ss a
vivid green ribbon.
On the plea that wishsa to ask
Mrs Carter Q few more Nuestioas, I
ut the others 60 On. ! watched them
down the hagstone walk: saw Nc
Knight stop and examine the gate
posts and saw. too. the quick glance
~ threw back 1t the house. Then I
turned to Mrs. Carter.
II would like to speak to the young
lady upstairs" I said.
NE threw up her hands with .
quick gesture Of surrender. I've done
ell ] could" she exclaimed. She
voa't like 1t very we'll. but-shs's in
ths room over the parlor."
went eagerly up the ladder.like
stairs. to the rag-carpeted hall. Two
1oees were open. showing interiors Of
fosr poster beds and high bureaus.
ne door Of the room over the parlor
vas almost closed. hesitated in the
hallway; after all, what right had I
- i1trude on her? But she settled my
li0culty BY throwing open the door
~ facing me.
IL beg your pardon. Miss West"
] Stammered. TT has just occurred
- Ne that l am unpardonably rude.
sew the hat downstairs and IL
gusssed-"
the haiti" she said. II might have
known. Does Richey know l am
Asrs?'
II don't think 60" turned to 90
down the stairs again. Then l halted.
"The fact is" said, In an attempt At
Qualification. "Im in rather q mess
these days, and I'm apt to do irre-
sponsible things. 1t is not impossible
that shall be arrested. in . day or
10, for the murder of Simon Harring.
ton"
She drew her breath in sharply.
"Murder!" she echoed. Then they
have found you after all!"
Il don't regard 1t as anything more
than-er-inconvenie I lied. They
can't convict me, you know. Almost
all the witnesses are dead"
She was not deceived for q moment.
She came over to me and stood. both
hands on the rail Of stair. Il know
Just how grave 1t is." she said quiet
ly my grandfather will not leave one
stona unturned. and he can be terrible
p,,tv he II,
into my eyes as I stood below her on
the stairs-"the time may come
soon-when can help you. I'm
afraid I shall not want to; I'm .
dreadful coward, Mr.. Blakeley. But
II will" She tried to smile.
II wish you would let me help you" :"
said unsteadily. Let us make it =
bargain: each help the other!"
The girl shook her head with . sad
little smile. II am only as unhappy
as I deserve to be-" she said. And
when I protested and took 4 step to-
ward her she retreated. with her
hands out before her.
Why don't you ask me all the ques-
tons you are thinkirg?" she demand
ed with a catch in her voice. "Oh,
know them. Or are you afraid to
ask"
looked at her, at the lines around
her eyes, at the drawn look about her
mouth. Then held out my hand.
Afraid" said, as she gave me hers.
There is nothing In Gods green
earth I am afraid OF. save Of. trouble
for you. To ask questions would be
to imply a lack OF faith. l ask you
nothing. Some day, perhaps. you will
come to me yourself and let me help
you"
The next moment was out In the
golden sunshine; the birds were sing
ing carols of Joy; I walked dizzily
throught rainbow-colored clouds, past
the twins, cherubs now, swinging on
the gate. 1t was a new world into
which I stepped from the Carter farm
house that morning, for-I had kissed
her!
(TO BE rONTINUEDD