The Huttig news., 1911-01-07


 1 her.
 Don't, Girl-dont," he commanded
 Her self-blame wes terrible to him Put she could not check her grief. and finally hardly knowing what he did. he put his arm around her and drew her i closer to him. Her tear-wet cheek touched his. She removed her hat, and her hair brushed his forehead
 Girl. G'rl," he whispered. don't you kuow?-Don't you understand? If chance had not kept Us together, I would have followed you until won you. From the moment l saw you, l have had no thought that was not bound up with you But think what have done to goul" she sobbed. "l never realized that there was this danger. And you you have your own friends, your in- terests. Oh. I--"
 My interests are all herewith you" he answered. Tt is 1 who am to blame I should have known what AL oatrante would do"
 You couldn't know There was no way
 "I sent you up here to wait for me. Then, when he and 1 came in. turned my back on him. like blind fool"
 No, no" she protested.
 After all. he said. it was, per. haps. something that neither you nor l could foresee. No one is to blame. Isn't that the best view to take Of it o"
 Her cheek moved against his as she inclined her head
 ''It may be selfish in me" he went on, but I can't feel unhappy-now."
 Her sobs had ceased. and she buried her face in his shoulder
 ''I love you. Girl" he said, brokenly T don't expect yor to care so much or me-yet. But must tell you what feel. There isn't-there isn't any. aing wouldn't do for you. Girl-and be happy doing it."
 Sine did not speak. and for long inc they sat in silence. Many emo. ions were racing through him His happiness was almost a pain. for if tame to him in this extremity when here was no hope ahead She had not yielded herself. but she had not re. listed his embrace, even now her head vas on his shoulder Indeed. he had given her no chance to confess what she might feel for him
 Nor would he give her that chance No. 1t was better that her love for him he knew now tha; in her heart she must love bim-it was better that it hould not be crys stallized by definite expression. For he had thought Of a way by which she. at least. might be saved. With the faint possibi ity O rescue for them both, he hesitated to take the step. And yet every moment he was using that much more of the air that might keep her alive through the night.
 It would be only right to wait until he was reasonably sure that all the clerks in the office had gone That time could not be long now But all ready the air was beginning 10 seem close: it was not so easy to breathe as it had been.
 Gently putting her from him, he said: "The air will last longer if we lie down. The heart does not need much blood, then"
 She did not answer, but moved from her seat on his folded coat. and he took it and arranged it as pillow. and, finding her hand, showed her where it was He heard the rustic of her clothing as she adjusted herself on the floor. She clung to his hand, while he still sat beside her
 Now" he said. cheerfully. 'T am going to find out what time it is, by breaking the crystal of my watch. I've seen blind men tell the time by feeling the dial"
 His watch was ar old hunting case which had belonged to his father. He opened 1t and cracled the crystal with his pocketknfe A. nearly as he could determine by the sense of touch it was seven o'clock. Bessie Wallingham would be wondering by tkis time why he had broken an engagement with her for the second time that day.
 There is one thing more to do." he
 
 Low much longer We shall be able to breathe easily. and am going to write a note which will explain matters to the persons who find us--if we should not happen 10 be able to tell them
 Laboriously he panciled on the back of an old envelope the explanation of their presence there, making com l:lete and careful charge against Alca- trante. He laid the message on the floor.
 On second thought. he picked it up again and put it in his pocket. for if by any chance they should be rescued. he might forget it. h that event it's discovery would possibly bring an ex- posture of facts which the girl and her father would not care to have dis closed.
 faint whisper from the girl.
 What is it?" he asked, bending tendesly for her answer
 You must lie down, too"
 He began to move away, as If to obey her.
 No" she whispered-"here. want you near me !"