The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-11-09

She took It, rather awkwardly per
haps but very r~esolutely.
Il thought | heard something in the
bushes back there" she said in extenu-
alton.
ut was the wind" be vouchsafed,
but bis thoughts went at once to Blake.
lnvoluntarily he looked over his Shout
der and ~quickened his pace. She felt
his arm stiGen.
I'm quite sure 1t was a cow" she
said.
Are you afraid Of cowsT"
"Dreadfully."
And you're not afraid OF elephants
or camels?"
"Oh, dear. no: they're tame" She
seemed in doubt as to the wisdom of
expressing aloud the thoughts that trou-
bled her. Twice she peered up into the
face of her companion. Then she reso-
lutely delivered herself. II do hope ia
Their won't see us, David"
you poor girl!' he cried gently. I'm
sorry IL this gets you into trouble. De-
Mise didn't tell me. She
"Oh, Denise did 1t on purpose" she
said. quite gIibly. II suppose she thinks
we're going to fall In love with each
other"
David was grateful to the darkness.
II hid his blush of confusion.
But that's perfectly silly" went On
the soft voice at his elbow. II Just
want to be your friend, David. My
mother adores you. So do l, but In just
the same way hat she does. IL
couldn't think of being so ridiculous as
to fall in love with you
He resented this. 81 don't see why
you say that he said. But" very
hastily, I'm not asking you to do 1t.
Please don't misunderstood me. r.
Mother and | are so sorry for you,
David" she went On earnestly. We
we don't believe a word of-of-well,
you know She was suddenly dis
tressed.
How do you know that I'm not
guilty?" he cried bitterly. You have
only my word for It OF course, I'd
deny it Anybody would, even II he
was as guilty as sin. IL might have
done 1t, for all you know"
"Oh, d~on't-don't talk like that,
Davidr'
Nearly every one with the show
thinks | did 1t. 1t doesn't matter to
them, either. They like me just as
well. lists as If | were a friend
less. homeless dog. They're tender
hearted. They'd do as much for the
dog. every time. l like them for Il
I'll not forget everybody's kindness to
me and-and their indifference"
Indifference, Davidf"
Yes. That's the word. It doesn't
make any difference what / am. they
just say It's all right and-and-that's
ALL"
She caught the intensely bitter note
in his voice. Christine was young, but
she had fine perceptions. Her lip
trembled.
Nobody thinks you did It." she cried
in a vehement undertone. Even
father She stopped abruptly.
IF he thinks I'm innocent. why is
he so set on keeping me from talking
to you or your mother?" he demanded
quickly, a sudden fire entering his
brain. "That doesn't look as IL he
thinks In all right. does it? Tm-I'm
not a low down person. If l was. |
could see a reason. But I'm a gentle
man. Every man In my family has
been a gentleman since-oh, you'll
think I'm Boosting. l didn't mean to
say this to you. No, Christine. your
father thinks I'm guilty"
He does mott" she whispered. 81
know he doesn't. I've heard him argue
with mother about you. He has told
her that he does not believe that you
killed your grandfather. I've heard
him say II, David. He-he Is only
thinking of-must / say 1t? OF the
disgrace to us If you should be caught
and 1t came out we were your friends.
That's II. He's thinking of us. David.
1t Is so foolish of him. We both have
told him so. But-but you don't know
nv father There was a world of
meaning in that declaration, and 1t was
not disrespectful. either.
David was d~iscreetly silent He was
ouelIIng the rage that always rose in
his heart when he thought or Thomas
Braddock's attitude. not only toward
him but toward his wife.
az wish he wouldn't look at II In
that way, David she resumed plain
lively. "We-we would be so happy
II you could be with us-that Is. more
than you are" She was stammerfng
but not from embarrassment 1t was
In the fear of saying something that
might touch his sensitive pride.
IL love your mother" he cried In.
tensely. "She's the best woman I've
ever known-except my own mother
She's better than my aunts-yes. she
is, Better than all of them. / could
die for her."
She clutched his arm tightly. but
said nothing. Neither spoke for a mat
fer Of n hundred feet or more. Then hf