New Ulm review., 1911-09-20

N ACS IOr Arthur.
I've used the thin
| DON'T READ IT. nest paper, so
that You can secrete 1t in something
he will be sure to get Don't disap-
point me. was sorry for you. too,
and glad when they let you out. Both
of you are old playmates of mine, but
Arthur
l had to tell her. had to dash her
small hopes to the ground.
Forgive me, Ella" said. "but l
cannot carry him this message or even
get it to him secretly. / am watched
myself. There is man who sees him
constantly and may be induced to as
sure Arthur Of your belief and con-
tinued interest in him. That man is
his lawyer. Mr.. Moffat. Any one will
tell you how to reach him"
mo. no." she disclaimed hurriedly.
breathlessly. my last hope was in
you. You wouldn't think the worse Of
me for-for what I've done, or let
mother know. I couldn't tell stranger
even if he went right to Arthur with
it." Then, stepping up, to my side. she
whispered in my ear. "There is some
thing could say which might
| stopped her. Right or wrong. l
stopped her. She possessed evidence.
or thought she did. which might help
to clear Arthur. Evidence of what?
Evidence which would implicate Car
mel? The very thought unnerved me.
II had rather not be the recipient
Of this confidence IL It is all important
or at all in the line Of testimony. Re-
member the man mentioned. He will
be glad to hear Of anything helpful to
his client"
Her distress mounted to passion.
"'It's-it's something that will de-
stroy my mothers confidence in me.
.disobeyed her. did what she
would never have let me do If she had
known. IL used to meet Arthur In
the driveway back by the barns. I
had a key made to the little side door
so that could do it. l used to meet
him late. l would get up out Of bed
when mother was asleep and dress
myself and sit at the window until
heard him come up the street. Then
I would steal down and catch him on
his way to the stables. IL had a
good reason for this. Elwood. he
knew would be there. and it brought
him home earlier and not quite So
SO full Of liquor. If he was very bad
he would come up the other way. and
I would sit waiting and crying till 3
O'clock struck. then creep into my bed
and try to sleep. Nights and nights
have done this. Nothing else In life
seemed so important. for 1t did hold
him back a little, but not so much as
If he had loved me more. He loved
me some. but he couldn't have loved
me very much or he would have sent
me some word or seen me. If but for
minute, since Adelaide's death. And
he hasn't-he hasn't-and that makes
it harder for me to acknowledge the
watch kept on him and how I know
he never went through our grounds
for the second time that night. He
went once. about 9. but not later.
am certain Of this. for I was looking
out for him till 3 in the morning. If
he came back and then returned aft
erward to town it was through his
own street. and that takes so long
he would never have been able to get
to the place they said he did at the
time they have agreed upon. I know
that he needs some one to come out
boldly in his cause. and want to be
that some one. and l will be. too,
whatever happens to me. if-if must"
she family added.
Twas dumb. but not from lack Of in
terest or from unsympathetic feeling
for this brave hearted girl. The sig
nificance Of the situation was what
held me speechless. Here was help for
Arthur without my Drawing all the
horrors of Carmeps downfall by any
impulsive act Of my own. For mo-
ment hope in one burning and renew
ing flame scared high in my breast.
was willing to accept my release In
this way. was willing to shift the
load from my own back to the delicate
shoulders of this shrinking but ardent
girl. Then reason returned il consid-
Grafton halted. and I asked myself:
"But is the help she offers Of any prac-
tical worth? Would her timid declara-
tions. trembling as she was between
her awe Of her parents and her desire
to serve the man she loved. weigh in
the balance against the evidence ac-
cumulated by the district attorney?'
It seemed doubtful. She would not
be believed. and should have to back
up her statement with my own hither-
to suppressed testimony-a woman to
be sacrificed whichever course took.
Such native chivalry as remained to
me urged me to spare this little friend