, 1911-11-23
CHAPTER TX.

| nASn rhoM fhISoN-
0~JO Mrs. Mason's narrow. unbend-
ing. shortsighted code every
thing in life was prepared in
~ advances mans political con-
victions. a woman's religious convic-
tions. a child's nursery stories. the ba-
bies' prayers. Her puritanic soul was
outraged wholly now, and. flushing
angrily. with an instructive shrinking
back of her whole person. she attack
ed the oma before her.
MAY the Lord have mercy on such
women as you, Anna Granger. You're
wicked. %iagrantly. deliberately wick
ed. to utter such thoughts. Isn't it
enough to have the unlawful feeling?'
She wheeled suddenly to Temple.
"Oh. I've seen for a long time that
you loved her. Every one has seen
1t. But I thought her sense OF de-
sency"-
Temple stepped forward at that. his
.yes blazing. ,
"Mrs. Mason" he said forbiddingly.
don't you think you have gone quite
far enough; Have you no pity. no
sense of womanlinessf"
The h~ousekeeper WINGED at the
mans zones The words escaped her.
Anna had risen. Very white and
still. she stood for a second. Then:
Mr.. Temple, / must leave this,
house. leave it at once. But you may
count upon me. When your case
comes up for trial l shall De there. l
am going to clear you. Mrs. Mason
thinks"-her eyes travelling slowly to
the elder woman-"that it's not be-
cause you're innocent that / insist
upon giving my testimony. She
thinks it's because l love you. do.
! But you at least know I've nothing
further to hope from this. l am Rob
ert Changers wife till deathT" ,
Temple bowed.
Yes. | know" he said simply. Il
want youth my sou l want you-to
be always as you are ~now-right and
loyal"
That is what l longed to hear you
say. just those words" said she. with
u little. quick. sobbing breath.
Mrs. Mason was forgotten. For a
brief ome they two were alone. re-
moved from the rest of the world.
ihc Silti't "a cioiutht@ ySt hSNS
had Burton Temple felt farther from
the woman he loved than now after
she had made her hearts confession.
He adored her inaccessibility. her code
of honor as wife and mother.
1t was she who broke the silence.
and when she spoke the great moth
erliness of her voice sank into his
troubled soul and Quieted him.
1T had to come some day-the awak
ening. Will % try to believe me
when | say 1t is not all a loss. be-
cause we will not allow 1t to De a loss?
Because We are going to do right. you
and l."
She smiled up at him with trembling
lips and eyes running over. Then she
lifted one hand and placed 1t upon his
dark head. even us he a little while
ago had placed his upon her W
And in this case again 1t was not a
caress. but n benediction. and he In
derstood.
She turned and moved evenly toward
the door. There came a sharp rap. a
feverish. insistent. wild sort Of rap.
and she paused. Cato looked up alert
iy from his nap and threw back his
ears.
Temple stepped quickly to h door
and threw 1t open Then. in amaze
ment. he stepped back.
Granger he exclaimed. what
are you doing hereT
A little white faced man, wearing a
long ulster and carrying his hat In his
hand. entered. 1t was not his close
cropped hair and subservient hangdog
manner alone which witnessed to the
ate prison life and discipline; the tim
i'd, interval spaced movement of the
lockstep bore its witness as well.
He cast but M sickly glance of con
fusion at Burton Temple. Then he
turned to the woman who stood stone
still at one side of the door staring at
him ~piteously.
Anna, I've been pardoned." he said.
coming to her quickly. II came here
at once. you see. | want to speak with
you for a IN alone" His words
were hurried. furtive. like the Jailbird
accustomed TO sneaking whispers In
the prison line to his pal. lnvolun-
tarily the wife shivered.
There's no need. Robert" she an
swered duly. 'There's nothing to ron
ceal now: they know who ! n.
YEARLY she turned to Temple. THE
pardon has beer granted" said she.
Temple bowed, without speaking.
Yes" broke in Granger with nerv
Gus haste. They've been working for
a pardon for some time. you now
You've seen 1t in the papers, haven't
you? You see. he public felt that
was innocent. u~njustly condemned.
So
He paused. seeing a slight. beseech