Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-11

ing. shortsighted code every
thing in life was prepared In
~ advance-a mans political con-
lions. child's nursery stories, the ba-
bies' prayers. Her puritanic soul was
outraged wholly now, and. flushing
angrily. with an instructive shrinking
back of her whole person. she attack
ed the woman before her.
"May the Lord have mercy on such
women as you. Anna Granger! You're
wicked. flagrantly, deliberately wick
ed. to utter such thoughts. Isn't it
enough to 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 I 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 enough1 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 second. Then:
"Mr: Temple, must leave this
house, leave it at once. But you may
count upon me- When your case
comes up for trial l shall be there. l
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 l insist
upon giving my testimony. She
thinks it's because I love you. ! do.
But you at least know I've nothing
further to hope from this. am Rob-
ert Changers wife till death!'
Temple bowed.
Yes, 1 know" he said simply. Il
want you-in my soul l want you-to
be always as 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. Will you try to believe me
when say it is not all loss. be-
cause we will not allow it to be loss?
Because we are going to do right. you
and l."
She smiled up at him with trembling
Ups and eyes running over. Then she
lifted one hand and placed it upon his
dark head. even as he little while
ago had placed bis upon her own.
And in this case again it was not a
caress, but benediction. and he un-
derstood.
She turned and moved evenly toward
the door. There came 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 it open. Then. in amaze
ment, be stepped back.
"Grangerv' he exclaimed "What
are you doing here?'
A little white faced man, wearing a
long ulster and carrying his hat in his
hand, entered. 1t was not his close
cropped hair and subservient hangdog
manner alone which witnessed to the
late prison life and discipline; the tim
Id. interval spaced movement Of the
lockstep bore its witness as we'll.
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 piteousy.
Anna. rye been pardoned." he said.
coming to her quickly. Il came here
at once. you see. I 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 bis 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 l 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