The state herald., 1913-03-21
CHAPTER xxxv.
A confesslon 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 remembered a
half.burned candle in the chamber op-
posite. By the time 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. l listened. my
heart throbbing. but no sound came
from below. Could she be therei
Was there any other secret passage
By which she could have disappeared?
/ shuddered at memory of what II
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. l had reached
the lower floor before the fiickering
yellow rays revealed any evidence Of
her presence. Then saw q 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!" exclaimed,
startled at her sudden movement.
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not. her
eyes full OF terror.
NO! mol" she cried hystericaliy.
"oh. II cannot be! II In q 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.
1T is no dream. dear. an Allen
Lawrence. and have come for you.
! know look disreputable enough. but
there has been nghting-surely you
know me now"
She caught her breath quickly.
cling!ng 10 me with both hands-hsr
eyes softenlng as she studied my face.
"Allen-Allen Lawrencei" she 70
peated softly. "Oh. can scarcely be-
lieve IL true. Let me feel OF you. l.
! believe ! was going insane-ths
dark. the awful dark. and. and no way
out-no way out"
yes. yes. I understand" whis.
percd. drawing her to me. II was hid.
den here once. remember. But II 10
over with now
"But-how did you nnd way to
met IL never thought until II was
all over that had shut myself In hero
TO die. was 30 frightened. lust
ran and hid. oh. you cannot conceive
what I had gone through"
| She drew away from me, and again
hid her face on the table
"oh. but I can. Claire" and I bent
over her. r,y hand fondiing her hair.
II was there IN tho hall below. ready
even then TO act In your defense.
heard all that was said. saw nil that
was done"
"You-you were thcrc1" sobbinx out
the words. You saw me kill himY"
Yes. and had you delayed another
instant I should have done H."
"Then-then." she glanced up. tears
dimming her eyes. you do not blame
moi You do not think mo u wicked
wrcich!"
Il think you n brave. noble woman"
I burst forth. How could feel 9th.
crwisci Look up. little girl; I wnnt
to see your face. No. don't shrink
back from me. There Ia no cause 1
know the whole story without your
speaking word. You asked mo 10
come back TO help you. and came"
YES" nhc whispered. II know.
You have been 80 good"
"ooodi ] loved you. dear. From tho
moment lifted you out OF tho way OF
that mob In Philadelphia. I have loved
you. did not understand much that
occurred. but I have never doubted
you. Now ] realize the cause OF your
masquerade and know you were jur,i.
ned. can bring you good news--frrio
10 not traitor. but was n prisoner.
captured by fagin. and held at oranrs