The Detroit times., 1913-01-27
CHAPTER XIII.
lContinued.1

entered the barn. Out OF sight OF his
foreman, the generals sturdy pace
tagged. That young man had been al
IDLE Hour entirely too often; he had
thought so all along. and now he was
very sure OF it,
This comes OF being too kind" he
muttered
Then he paused suddenly-but no,
that was absurd-utterly absurd !;
Elizabeth would have told him. He
VAS certain OF this. for had she not
told him all her secrets? But sup
snppose--and again he put the
idea from him
He found Elizabeth in the small.
daintily furnished sitting-room which
Mrs. Herbert had called her "boudoir,"
and seated himself, none too gently.
in a fragile gilt chair which his bulk
OF bone and muscle threatened to
wreck. Elizabeth glanced up from
Their Wedding Journey, which she
vas reading for the second time
What Is il, father" she asked. for
his feeling OF doubt and annoyance
was plainly shown in his expressive
face
Thompson has just come out from
town-he says that John North has
been arrested for the Mcbride muir
der"
The book slipped from Elizabeth's
land and fell TO the floor; the smile
with which she had welcomed her
father faded from her lips: she gazed
az him with pale face and wide eyes
The general instantly regretted that
he had spoken with such cruel abrupt
ness
You don't think 1t is true?" she
asked In whisper
Thompson seemed to know what
he was talking about"
It's monstrousl" she cried.
IF North Il innocent" began the
general
Father" She regarded him with
look OF horror aud establishment You
don't like him, It's that. isn't II ?" she
added after moments silence.
don't like any one who gets into
scrape such as this" replied the
general with miserable and unneces-
Sary heat.
But 1t wasn't his fault-he couldn't
help IT."
Il don't suppose he could" replied
her father grimly.
She rose and came close to his side.
Father she said in tone OF en-
treaty, placing a hand on his arm.
What is II. dear?"
There was both tenderness and con
Germ In his keen gray eyes as he
glanced up into her troubled face.
II want you TO go 70 him-to Mr..
North, | mean. | want you TO tell
him how sorry you are; want him to
know-I-" she paused uncertainty
Perhaps for the first time in her life
she was not quite sure OF her fathers
sympathy. She dreaded his mans
judgment in this crisis.
Now seriously, Elizabeth. don't you
think I'd better keep away from him?
| can do nothing"
"Oh. how cowardly that would bel'
she cried. How cowardly!"
The old general WINGED at this. He
was far from being coward, but ap-
pearances had their value in his eyes;
and even, in its least serious aspect.
Young North's predicament was not
pleasant TO contemplate.
But there is nothing can do, Eliza
beth; why should become involved?'
he urged
Then you must go to him from
me-" she cried.
"Child--child; what are you say
ing" cried the general.
Either you must go TO him, or
shall CO." she said With fine AFmRess
Her father groaned.
BE frank with me. Elizabeth. Has
North ever told you that he cared for
your"
Yes"
"When?"
Before he went away mean that
last night he was here"
II feared as much" he muttered.
And you, dear?" he continued gently.
He said We might have 70 walt
long time-or ! should have told you
He went away because he was too
poor"
There was pause.
do you care for him Elizabeth 2"
her father asked at length. do you
wish me to understand that you are
ommitted-are-"
Yes" she answered quite simply.
You are sure IL is not Just pity
ven Sure Elizabeth? Fer yen
know. right or wrong. he will probably
come out OF this with his reputation
smirched."
But he Is innocent"
That is not quite the point urged
the general I'VE must see things as
they are. You must understand what
II may mean to you I'm the future, TO
have given your love to a man who
has fallen under such suspicion.
There will always be those who will
remember this against him"
But | shall know" she said proud
~.
And that will be enough--you will
SIX no more than that. Elizabeth
IF my faith IN him has never been
shaken, could | ask more?"
He looked at her wistfully. Her
courage he comprehended. II was fine
and true, like her sweet unspoiled
youth; In Its presence he felt sudden
scnse OF age and loneliness He asked
himself. had he lived beyond his own
period OF generous enthusiasm?
1T would be a poor kind Of friend
ship. q poorer kind OF love, II We did
not let him know at once that this
has not changed our-our regard for
him" she said softly.
1T is not your ready sympathy; you
are quite certain II is not that. Eliza
beth?'
IL am sure. father-sure OF myself
az | am OF him! You say he has been
arrested, does that mean" and she
hesitated.
1T means, my dear. that he Is in
Jail" answered the general as he came
slowly TO his feet.
Che oava q LITTLE cry and r,,ppfpo -.