Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-02-23
y The
Novelized by
VIRGINIA LEILA VENT
CHAPTER TX.


~ ADVANCED mans political con-
rictions. a woman's religious convic-
tons. child's nursery stories. the ba-
bics' prayers. Her puritanic soul was
outraged wholly now, and, flushing
angrily. with an instructive shrinking
back Of her whole person. sna attack
ed the woman before her
May the Lord have mercy on such
women as you. Anna Granger. You're
wicked. fagrantly. deliberately wick
ei. to utter such thoughts. Isn't it
enough 10 have the unlawful feeling?'
She wheeled suddenly to Temple.
"Oh. I've seen for long time that
you loved her. Every one has seen
it. But thought her sense Of de-
cency"-
Temple stepped forward at that. his
eyes blazing.
Mrs Mason." he said forbiddingly,
"don't you think you have gone quite
far enough? Have you no pity, no
sense Of womanliness"
The housekeeper WINGED at the
mans tones. The words escaped her.
Anna had risen. Very white and
still, she stood for a second. Then:
'Mr. Temple, 1 must leave this
house, leave it at once. But you may
count upon me. When your case
comes up for trial shall be there. I
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 love you. do.
But you at least know I've nothing
further to hope from this. l am Rob
ert Changers wife till DEATH"
Temple bowed.
"Yes, know" he said simply. II
want youth my soul want you-to
be always ~ you are now-right and
loyal"
THAT is what longed to hear you
say, just those words" said she, with
a little, quick, sobbing breath.
Mrs. Mason was forgotten. For a
brief moment they two were alone. re-
moved from the rest Of the world.
The silence was eloquent, yet never
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.
It 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. viii you try to believe me
when say it is not all a loss, be-
cause we will not allow 1t to be a loss?
Because we are going to do right. you
ind 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 rs he little while
ago had placed his upon her own.
And in this case again 1t was not a
caress, but benediction, and he un-
derstOod.
She turned ana moved evenly toward
the door. There came q sharp rap. a
feverish, insistent, Wild sort Of rap,
and she paused. Cato looked up alert
" from his nap and threw back his
ears.
Temple stepped quickly to the door
and threw 1t open. Then. In amaze
ment, he stepped back.
Granger he exclaimed. "what
are you doing herer'
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 hangdoe
manner alone which witnessed to the
late prison life and discipline; the tim.
ID, interval spaced movement Of the
lockstep bore its witness AZ well.
He cast but one 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 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 an
swered duly. 'There's nothing to CON
ceal now: they know who am
YEARLY she turned to Temple. The
pardon has been granted" said she.
Temple bowed, without speaking.
"Yes." broke In Granger with nerv.
Gus haste. They've been working for
q pardon for some time, you know.
You've seen 1t in the papers. haven't
your You see, the public felt that I
was innocent. unjustly condemned,
so''-
He paused, seeing a slight. beseech-
ing gesture Of his wife to Temple. The
big financier understood and, turning,
quit the room quietly. leaving man and
wife together. Mrs. Mason. whose
curiosity was quite as alive as her
conscience, stayed 1t wouldn't do to
miss this meeting. Maybe it was her
duty to stay!
II 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 see." 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.
Eyes, I'll 80 with you" she said life
lessly She wondered how she could
live with this thief al the rest Of her
days.
"You see, Anna, every one knew l
was innocent; every one believed In
me. Now 1 must get away to some
place where can rest. where no one
will ask me questions or harry me.
for I'm tired to death-to death. Oh"
still catching no responsive light on
the immobile face before him, ut was
your belief in me. Anna. that gave me
courage all along"