The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-04-13
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FIGHTING HOPE.

LII RAVEN rang sharply Tor MIS-.
nj Mason ;,1
II isn't Miss Dale better yet?
~ Hasn't she recovered suf1-
c1ently at least to remember the COM
bination Of that safe? By heavens,
woman, she must! There's a letter in
there we must get out and take into
town tonight. We've already missed
the last decent train, and now there's
nothing left for US but to take that
laundering motorcar of Temples and
drive 1n!' Craven spoke 1rately. He
was past the limits of patience.
1--WE been talking to her." said Mrs.
Mason quietly. II think she is soon
coming down herself"
"Puritans and petticoats!" muttered
Craven after Mrs. Mason's retreating
figure. II bet there'u be a man at
that typewriter next time," looking
angrily at the empty desk.
Temple came in and looked at it too
tits my fault" he said. II should
have sense enough to remember the
combination myself. Poor Miss Dale!
She's all tuckered out. We've worked
her too hard"
"She's coming down In a few min
utes, Mrs. Mason has just said," OBJ
served Craven, with slight sneer.
And she did come down. The door
on the other side Of the room opened
and Anna Granger entered. She was
white as alabaster. The full terrible
ness Of what she had done was tug
g1ng at her heart and soul.
"Ah, you have slept? You are bet
ter?' cried Temple, rising to greet her.
Then turning to Craven: "Would you
mind giving orders to the chauffeur to
have the car ready in about an hour? ?
Wen get there in good enough time"
"Got to go in that Internal eighty
horsepower thing, after all. Bet you
anything we strike a rock or something
and hear angels wings on our wayw
was Craven's comment as he left the
room.
miss Dale''-Temple fixed her gaze
with a whimsical, ineffable smile
1.-THE key to my liberty and my good
name lies in my safe yonder. 1t is you
only who can give it to me- I am glad"
He came step nearer and a great
light shone in his eyes. 1T is the prin-
cess Of my enchanted palace who shall
give 1t to me. That is good'
With one long sobbing that rent it.
self straight from her torn heart, Anna
stepped back.
what is it, dear?' he cried, spring
ing toward her, a big, wrapping ten
derness in his voice. "You know, don't
you? I am cleared now. That letter
Is the proof I have been waiting for.
bring you honor. sweet; the penknife
isn't all now"
"Oh, wait, wait, just little minutew
she cried, struggling pitifully for self
mastery.
"Oh, but surely you've guessed it,
Anna. I love you with a love that
has been waiting good many years.
I want you to be my wife, dear, won't
you? Won't your He was holding
her hands now compellingly, fighting
for her answer in serene, answering
fashion as had ever been his manner
of fighting for all things that he want
ed much.
But she swept back from him with
a gesture. Then the words came with
q rush:
"Mr. Temple. have deceived you.
I have deceived you from the first I
have been here under false pretenses.
am not Miss Dale. am married.
have two children. I AMI am
Robert Changers wife! -.
Eyes" she went on breathlessly, hay
Ing been awed into silence for a second
by the look on Temples face, Robert
Changers wife. Now you begin to see
little, don't you? I came here to dis.
cover some evidence that would clear
his name. If spying, shadowing, track.
Ing could do meant to get it. I meant
to vindicate him and to send you to
prison in his place."
o God, why did he look at her like
that? How could she 60 on? The
panied amazement. the crushed suf-
1ering in his face. they were craving
q Ass z4ts4s:
4