The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-08-29
CHAPTER xxxv.
a confesaIon Of Love

A Confession OF Love
I could scarcely believe my eyes az
the mantel swung slowly outward. re-
yealing the black hole beyond. 4
glanced about helplessly, and sprang
10 the door to call back Farrell. he
was not in the upper hall, but as my
eyes swept its length remembered q
half-burned candle in the chamber OPP
posite BY the time / returned with 1t
lighted, the mantel had turned on It's
pivot, leaving the way clear. Inc mar
row stair was vacant, stretching DOWN
into the black depths. listened, my
heart throbbing. but no sound came
from below. Could she be thereH
Was there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappearedf
/ shuddered at memory Of what It
meant to be shut up in that dismal
hole. without the companionship OF
light. Fearful Of some accident !
paused long enough to wedge 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 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-tght.
"ClaireI Claire!" l. exclaimed.
startled at her sudden movement.
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not. her
eyes full Of terror.
mo! mol" she cried Historically.
"Oh, 1t cannot be! 1t is dreami You
you-tell me who you are?"
/ caught her hand, the pistol fall
ing to the floor, and placed the candle
stick upon the table.
ut is no dream, dear. am Allen
Lawrence, and have come for you.
know look disreputable enough, but
there has been fighting-su ely you
know me now
She caught her breath quickly,
clinging to nae with both hands-her
eyes softening as she studied my face
"Allen-Allen LawrenceI" she re-
peated softly. "Oh, / can scarcely be-
lieve It true. Let me feel Of you. T.
/ believe ! was going insane-the
dark, the awful dark, and, and no way
out-no way out"
Eyes, yes, ! understand" / Whis-
pered, drawing her to me. II was hid
den here once, remember. But it is
over with now"
"But-how did you find a way to
me? IL never thought until it was
all over that had shut myself in here
to die. / 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 / can. Claire" and I bent
over her, my hand fondling her hair.
Il was there in the hall below, ready
even then to act in your defense. /
heard all that was said, saw all that
was done"
''You-you were theref' sobbtng out
the words. "You saw me kill him ?"
"Yes, and had you delayed another
instant ! should have done It"
'Then-then," she glanced IN. tears
dimming her eyes, "you do not blame
me? You do not think me a wicked
wretch?"
Il think you brave, noble woman =
] burst forth. "How could / feel 9th
erwise? Look up, little girl; l want
to see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me. There is no cause
know the whole story without your
speaking a word. You asked me "a
come back to help you, and came"
Yves. she whispered, Il know
You have been so good"
Good loved you, dear. From tba
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 vouv
masquerade and know you were mstl.
fed. ! can bring you good news-ErIe
is not traitor, but was a prisoner
captured by Fagin. and held at Grants
request We found him bound ana.
under guard cut yonde1, as we cd
preached the house,
And he is here nowf"
Yesi he vas hurt In the fight, ana
ia stiil unconscious. but viii iiye.S
His reputation"
SIS safe. Washington believes ha
brought him the news Of Cunton'e
route Of march. and will never know
otherwise"
She arose to her feet. standing
straight and slender before me- the
aickering light Of the candle on her
Major lawrence abe began =
wish to Get out Of here-lt seems IKE
g grave 10 me-but must speak first.
Oh. am 50 glad have accomplished
what 1 endeavored TO do FOR nv hrosl,l
er, Captain Grant tried to MAZE n5,e.
believe him deserter, but ! would
not When be failed to come back to
ne a. be bad promised. I cousd hardly,
Qssszlnlns What my duty vas. I knew