The Washington herald., 1912-05-26

pdLC0c8 OF the uldI8N lIDiul WIKI y
had just reeeded shone with a new
gIory-a green glitter like the sparkle
Of emeFalds Deane, who was out
early, for his Eed had been no more
than a sofa, gave a little start Of sur
prise as he opened the door and found
Winifred Rowan standing on little
knoll by the side Of the flagstaff. look
ing seaward.
She turned toward him at once with
the sound Of the opening door. he
realized then. more completely than IN
the dusk of the evening. how great the
strain of these last few days had been
the strain which had driven her into
this strange journey The black rings
under her eyes seemed as though traced
with a pencil, her cheeks were thinner,
there was something pathetic about the
quick, startled look which flashed into
her eyes at the sound Of Deane's APP
preaching footsteps.
u am afraid" he said gravely, that
you have not slept
"As much as usual," she answered.
Tell me, what time do your letters
come? ?"
He looked inland. Generally about
eight They may be a little later 10
day"
She nodded. Il must go back" she
said vacantly. when is there a train =
Il was impossible TO ask her to stop,
and yet he felt all the pathos of send
ing her back to face alone the shadow
of her terrible anxiety.
There is no hurry" he said. we
will look up the trains after break
fast"
Are you-going to stay here?" she
asked anxiously.
If | thought" he answered, that
there was the slightest thing | could
do in London which ! have not already
done, / would go back by the first train
this morning. but, indeed. you must re-
member what / told you last night. The
matter is practically settled. In few
days he will know"
1T is those few days" she said soft
", which are so terrible"
II was hard to try and make use OF
any conventional phrase of reinsurance
Deane, remembering how intense, how
real and startling a thing this tragedy
really was, found it hard, impossible,
indeed.
Tell me-" he asked, do you live ab-
solutely alone?"
"Yesr' she told him. There was a
cousin who was with me for some time,
but she got a situation the other side
of London, and had to move. was
in boarding house" she continued, at
ter a moments hesitation, "until-this
happened. Then all the people-well,
they meant 10 be kind" she broke of,
but the woman who kept It thought
| had better leave, and l suppose she
was right"
we will go in to breakfast" he said,
little abruptly
Every moment he seemed to realize
more completely the pathos of her posi-
tion. They turned toward the house.
Suddenly her fingers fell upon his arm.
Who IS that?" she asked, pointing
landward
Deane followed her outstTetched I'm
ger. Riding along the top OF one OF
the dykes, as though unconscious OF
the sea flowing on either side, came a
boy on bicycle The bicycle was
painted red, and the boy had on cap
whose high peak gave It a semi-ofhcial
look.
He is coming here" said Deane, 1t
may be my letters. Or ! think
He stopped short He knew very
well that il was a telegram the boy was
bringing, but he almost feared to say
anything which would bring hope into
her face
1T isn't-it couldn't be a telegram
she asked. a little wiStfully.
1T might be" ne admitted. Il get
a good many. OF course"
He told the lie unblushingly. All the
time he watched. with an anxiety which
seemed incredible, for the coming of
the messenger.
You must remember" he said. that
even if this should be a telegram. l
really do not expect any news yet
She said nothing She stood with
parted lips by his side. and they watch
ed the boy drive his bicycle along the
Sea-stained bank Once he skidded,
and she gave a little scream Deane
laughed at her, surprised to discover
something unnatural in the sound.
Well he said, we will meet the
boy here. | am afraid you will find
a few stock exchange quotations inside
the envelope. even If he should be"
TT is a telegraph boy she interrupt
ed. Il can see the wallet"
She clung to his arm. Deane found
himself patting her fragile hand with
his strong fingers. He drew her arm
llTOugO MS, ana led 0eT lew steps
further. forward The boy jumped off
his bicycle and opened his wallet. as he
approached. with familiar movement
Deane took the telegram into his I'm
gers and tore it open. His arm sud-
denly went round her waist
Miss Rowan" he said, be brave and
will tell YOU some good news. See,
you can read it for yourself. The re-
prieve is signed
She suddenly fell dead weight upon
his arm and almost as quickly she re-
covered herself. Her closed eyes were
opened, she clung 10 his passionately.
It is true2" she cried out.
He held the telegram in front of her
face. Read" he said. Reprieve
signed last night WilN,be communicat-
ed to Rowan this morning. Hardaway.'
That is the name of my solicitor, so
there is no possible doubt about It. The
matter is ended
He turned to the boy, who stood look
ing on with wooden face. Then he
drew a coin from his pocket MY
young friend" he said. YOU are in luck
Take that and go home to your break
fast
The boy looked at the bvereign and
up at Deane. So far as his features
were capable of expression at all. they
spoke of stupefaction. Then, as though