The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-13
p The
 NOvelized by VIRGINIA LEILA WENTz
6Conunued.)

Reverish, insistent, wild sort of ral and she paused. Cato looked up aler Iy from his nap and threw back hi ears.
 Temple stepped quickly to the door and threw it open. Then, in amaze ment. he stepped back.
 '-GrangerY' he exclaimed ''What are you doing here?"
 A little white faced man, wearing long ulster and carrying his hat in his hand. entered. It was not his close cropped hair and subservient hangdog manner alone which witnessed to the late prison life and discipline; the tim 4d. interval spaced movement of the lockstep bore its witness as well.
 He cast but one sickIy 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. "I came here at once. you see. I want to speak with you for moment alone" His words were hurried, furtive. like the jailbird accustomed to sneaking whispers in the prison line to his pal Involun- tarily the wife shivered-
 There's no need. Robert" she am swered duly. There's nothing to con- ceaI now: they know who l ann" weariIy she turned to Temple. '"The pardon has been granted" said she.
 Temple bowed. without speaking.
 "Yes." broke in Granger with nerv- ous haste. They've been working for q pardon for some time. you know. You've seen 1t in the papers, haven't you2 You see, the public felt that was innocent, unjustly condemned. go''-
 He paused, seeing a slight. beseech- ing gesture of his wife to Temple The big hnancier understood and, turning, quit the room quietly, leaving man and wife together. Mrs Nilsson. whose curiosity was quite as alive as her conscience, stayed. It wouldn't do to miss this meeting. Maybe it was her duty to stayi
 'T want you to leave this house, to come away with me at once. There's no longer any need for proofs of vim dication. you sec" Granger said to Anna. hastily kissing her.
 She submitted. battling down the shudder of disgust which the touch of his lips fetched her. After all, he was her husband.
 ''Yes, I'll go with you" she said life lessly. She wondered how she could live with this thief all the rest of her days.
 "You see, Anna. every one knew I was innocent; every one believed in me. Now I must get away to some place where I can rest, where no one will ask me questions or harry me. fn fn dnQfh Oh 'r Ttill catching no responsive light on The immobiIe face before him. ''it was your belief in me. Anna. that gave me courage all along"
 She looked at him. shuddering.
 ''But I don't believe in you. Robert" Ihe said. ''I know"
 Under the mans prison pallor rose Tort of grayish fright.
 "Know. Know whatT" he asked sharply.
 CT know that you are not innocent. Robert-'
 At those words all the bravado went put of Granger. as a tiny spark sud denly goes out touched by a block of ice.
 'Sh-h-hI What do you mean any how? am innocent: am" He d:d not whisper now: he almost shrieked. even as he had in court that day when the jury pronounced him guilty. And now. as then. he fan,ied he saw over his head the cruel Roman symbol of vengeance. the faces and the ax-saw. too. the calm women who spin the threai of life. crouching on the shad- owy frescoed wall of the courtroom, a naked skull at their feet.
 Something seemed to grip his throat. He strangled an instant. then he coughed and spat. He drew his hands across his eyes and pulled himself to- gether.
 T am innocent, innocentT' he in- sisted.
 Don't! Don't, Robertl7 cried Anna, pity at the shameful sight of her per Jured husband rising in her heart .-I know the whole of 1t. I've read the letter you wrote to Cornelius Brady, you see"
 He shook as a man seized suddenly by some deadly disease. Then in- stinctively, fearfulIy, he looked to- ward Mrs. Mason.
 ''She knows aIi." said Anna quietly.
 'WhO has that letter? Where is 1t? Has Temple got it? My God, why nont you tell mel?
 There is no letter now, Robert. read 1t, and I burned it without think mg."
 You destroyed it? Then it can't be ased against mel Oh. Anna, you're a Tumpr' He seized both her hands and kissed them in a frenzy of relief Even n that pivotal moment. though. when the weight of months had fallen from him and left him light. a suspicion game to him. a jaiIbird suspicion.
 Cut you said without thinking,' Without thinking what. Anna?'
 without thinking that as well as ronv1cting you that letter was the only evidence to vindicate Mir. Temple" an- swered she calmly. I Then Mrs. Mason, with a sheer. made it plain.
 Maybe your wife feels that an inno