Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-12-13
CHAPTER XXXV.
A Confession of Love.

| 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 | remembered
| half burned candle in the chamber OPP
| posite. By the time returned with it
lighted, the mantel had turned on it's
pivot, leaving the way clear. The mar
row stair was vacant, stretching down
into the black depths. | 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 it
meant to be shut up in that dismal
hole, without the companionship of
light. Fearful of some accident
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 | saw a girl lying
head down upon the table. My hand
touched her arm before she moved,
but then she faced ME, wil6-eyed, the
pistol cleaning in the candle-iight.
"Ciaire Claire!" l exclaimed,
startled at her sudden movement
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not, her
eyes full of terror =
No. NOS" she cried hysterically..
ooh, it cannot be! It is dream! You
-you-tell me who you are?'
| caught her hand, the pistol fall
ing to the floor, and placed the candle
@eck upon the table
at is no dream, dear. | am Allen
Lawrence, and l have come for you.
know look disreputable enough, but
there has been fghting-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. I can scarcely be-
lieve it true. Let me feel of you. /
l believe I was going insane-the
dark, the awful dark, and, and no way
out-no way OUT
Yes, yes, / understand" / whis-
pered, drawing her to me. Il was hid
den here once, remember. But it Is
over with now
"But-how did you find a way to
me? II never thought until it was
all over that had shut myself in here
to die. | was so frightened. l 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.
ooh. but I can, Claire" and l 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 xiii 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?"
Il think you a brave. noble woman"
I burst forth. How could 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 I came
Yes" she whispered, Il know
You have been so good"
| Good, loved you. dear From the
moment lifted you out of the way of
:! that mob in Philadelphia. have loved
you. did not understand much that
! occurred, but have never doubted
you Now | realize the cause of your
masquerade and know you were iusti-
| fed. can bring you good news-Eric
! is not traitor. but was prisoner,
captured by Fagin, and held at Grants