The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-09-13
CHAPTER XXXV.
A Confession of Love.

could scarcely believe my eyes as
the mantel swung slowly outward, re-
vealing the black hole beyond.
glanced about helplessly, and sprang
to the door to call back Farrell. He
was not in the upper hall, but as my
eyes swept Its length l remembered a
half-burned candle in the chamber op-
posite. By the time l returned with it
! lighted, the mantel had turned on its
pivot, leaving the way clear. The mar
row stair was vacant, stretching down
into the black depths. listened, my
heart throbbing, but no sound came
from below. Could she be there?
Was there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappeared?
l 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 a 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 l saw a 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-light.
Claire! Claire!" l exclaimed,
startled at her sudden movement.
"Surqlv Won knouy mo
For the instant she did not, her
eyes full of terror.
No! mo-" she cried Historically.
"Oh, it cannot be! 1t is a dream! 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.
at is no dream, dear. am Allen
Lawrence, and l have come for you.
l know look disreputable enough, but
there has been fighting-surely you
know me now"
She caught her breath quickly,
olinging to me with both hands-her
eyes softening as she studied my face.
"Allen-Allen Lawrence!" she re-
peated softly. "Oh, can scarcely be-
lieve it true. Let me feel Of you. 1
l believe I was going insane-the
dark, the awful dark, and, and no way
out-no way out"
"Yes, yes, | understand" I whis-
pered, drawing her to me. II was hid
den here once, remember. But it is
over with now"
"But-how did you find way to
me? II never thought until it was
all over that had shut myself in here
to die. l was so frightened. l just
ran and hid. Oh, you cannot conceive
what l had gone through"
She drew away from me, and again
hid her face on the table.
"Oh, but l can, Claire" and 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 there?" sobbing out
the words. "You saw me kill him."
"Yes, and had you delayed another
instant l should have done it."
"Then---then," she glanced up, tears
dimming her eyes, "you do not blame
me? You do not think me a wicked
wretch"
'I think you brave, noble woman"
/ burst forth. "How could feel 9TH
erwise? Look up, little girl; I want
to see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me. There is no cause.
know the whole story without your
speaking word. You asked me to
come back to help you, and I came"
"Yes," she whispered, II know.
You have been so good"
Good! loved you, dear. From the
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 l realize the cause Of your
masquerade and know you were justi-
fed can bring you good news-Eric
is not a traitor, but was a prisoner
captured by Fagin, and held at Grants