The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-12-19

this new Development linen. as she
listened. quick interest touched her
features to new life.
This was the letter:
I can't go without telling you how sor-
ry I am. There won't never be time
that I won't remember 1t was me got you
sent up: that you did time in my place.
I amt going to forgive myself ever. and
swear I'm going straight always. Your
true friend HELEN MORRIS.
For once, Burke showed a certain
delicacy. When he had finished the
reading. he said nothing for a long
minute.
Mary's eyes were luminous in the
Joy of the realization that for her, after
all, rehabilitation might be in q mea-
sure possible. though nothing could
ever repay the degradation Of years
infinitely worse than lost.
Burke's harsh voice, cadenced to a
singular sympathy. broke in on her
reverie Of pleasure and Of pain.
"You knew this?" he inquired.
Eyes. two days ago."
did you tell old Gilder?" he asked
Mary shook her head in negation.
what would be the use?" she re-
minded him. II had no proof. No
one would believe me-"
They'd believe this. Why, this let
ter sets you clear. If old Glider should
see this letter. there's nothing he
wouldn't do to make amends to you.
He's a square guy himself, if it comes
to that, even if he was hard on you.
Why, this letter wipes out everything"
Then. the insistent question beating
at his brain forced him to speak
roughly, building hope on the letters
inestimable worth to the woman be-
fore him.
''Who killed Griggs?'
There was no reply. And, presently,
he went on. half ashamed over his
own intrigue against her.
Say" he said, and. for once, his
voice was curiously suppressed. "you
tell me who shot Griggs. and I'll show
this letter to old Glider Now, listen"
he cried eagerly. Il give you my word
of honor that anything you say in here
is just between you and me-" Uncon-
sciously his eyes darted to the window,
behind which the stenographer was
busy with his notes.
That single involuntary glance was
enough for the keen instinct of the
woman to make guess as to the
verify.
"Just tip me off to the truth" Burke
f;ofi
the necessary evidence in my own
way. Now. there's nobody here but
just you and me. Come on. now-put
me wise!"
Are you sure no one will ever
known
Nobody but you and. me-" Burke
declared. all agog with anticipation of
victory at last. Il give you my word!'
Mary met the gaze of the inspector
fully. In the same instant. she flashed
on him a smile that was dazzling. the
smile of woman triumphant in her
mastery of the situation. Her face
was radiant luminous with honest
mirth.
She spoke in a most casual voice.
despite the dancing delight in her face
The tones were drawled in the mat
ter Of fact fashion of statement that
leads listener to answer without
heed to the exact import of the ques-
ton. unless very alert indeed. This
Is what she said:
I'm not speaking loud enough. am
l, stenographer?'
And that industrious writer of short
hand notes. absorbed in his task.
answered instantly from his hidden
place in the corridor
mo. ma'am, not quite"
Mary laughed ! While Burke
sat dumfounded Pose swiftly,
and went to the ne, ( window, and
with pull at the sent the shade
flying upward There was revealed
the busy stenographer. bent over his
pad A groan of distress burst from
him, and he fled the place in ignomini-
GUS rout
The smiling Mary was returned to
her cell.