The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-12-21
CHAPTER xxxv.
A Confession Of Love.

l could scarcely believe my eyes as
the mantel swung slowly outward, re-
vealing the black hole beyond.
glanced about helplessly. and sprang
to the door to call back Farrell. He
was not in the upper hall. but as my
eyes swept its length l remembered a
half-burned candle in the chamber op-
posite. BY the time l returned with 1t
lighted. the mantel had turned on its
pivot, leaving the way clear. The mar
row stair was vacant, stretching down
into the black depths. l listened, my
heart throbbing, but no sound came
from below. Could she be there
Was there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappeared
| shuddered at memory of what 1t
meant to be shut up In that dismal
hole, without the companionship OF
light. Fearful of some accident
paused long enough to wedge a heavy
piece of furniture in the opening, and
| then. shading the bit of candle. began
cropping my way down. had reached
the lower floor before the Pickering
yellow rays revealed any evidence OF
her presence. Then l saw girl lying
head down upon the table. My hand
touched her arm before she moved
but then she faced me, wild-eyed. the
pistol cleaning in the candle-light.
| Claire! Claire!" exclaimed,
startled at her sudden movement.
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not. her
eyes full of terror
| Zh 11x
"Oh. 1t cannot be! 1t is dream! You
-you-tell me who you are?"
l caught her hand, the pistol fall
ing to the floor, and placed the candle
stick upon the table.
"It is no dream. dear. am Allen
| Lawrence. and l have come for you
l know look disreputable enough. but
there has been fighting-surely you
know me now"
She caught her breath quickly,
clinging to me with both hands-her
eyes softening as she studied my face.
| "Allen-Allen Lawrence!" she re-
peated softly. "Oh, can scarcely be-
lieve 1t true. Let me feel of you l.
! believe was going insane-the
dark, the awful dark. and. and no way
out-no way out"
Yes, yes, l understand" whis-
pered. drawing her to me. Il was hid
den here once, remember. But 1t ia
over with now"
"But-how did you find way to
me? IL never thought until 1t was
all over that had shut myself in here
to die. I was SO frightened. just
ran and hid. Oh, you cannot conceive
what had gone through
She drew away from me, and again
hid her face on the table.
"Oh. but I can, Claire" and | bent
over her. my hand fondling her hair
II was there in the hall below, ready
even then to act in your defense. I
heard all that was said, saw all that
was done"
"You-you were there?" sobbing out
the words. You saw me kill him."
Yes. and had you delayed another
instant should have done it."
| "Then-then," she glanced up, tears
dimming her eyes. you do not blame
me? You do not think me wicked
wretch"
| tulAA yOu ui0Sos uODle WOIudu,
I burst forth. "How could I feel 9TH
erwise? Look up. little girl; want
to see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me. There is no cause. I
know the whole story without your
speaking a word. You asked me to
come back to help you. and l came"
| YES" she whispered. II know.
| You have been SO good"
| Good! I loved you. dear. From the
moment lifted you out of the way Of
that mob In Philadelphia. I have loved
you. ! did not understand much that
occurred. but I have never doubted
you. Now l realize the cause Of your
masquerade and know you were justi.
ned. ] can bring you good news-Eric
10 not a traitor. but was a prisoner.
l NDntn rcd nv Eo Of ~