Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-22
CHAPTER XIX.
ANGUISH and Bliss,

Anguish ana bliss.
! ~ARSON shouted his confession
! without a second of reflection
But the result must have beer
the same had he taken years
/ Of thought. Between him and her as
I the victim OF the law. there could be
/ no hesitation for choice. The prime
! necessity was to save her. Mary. from
the tolls of the law that were closing
around her. For himself, in the days
TO come, there would be CHASTITY
dread, but there would never be regret
over the cost Of saving her. He had
saved her from the waters-he would
save her until the end, as far as the
power in him might lie.
The suddenness of it all held Mary
voiceless for long seconds. She was
frozen with horror of the event. When.
at last. words came, they We're a fran
tic prayer of protest.
"No. Joe. No! Don't taIk-don't
TALK
"Joe has talked" Burke said. signifi-
cantly.
HE did it to protect me-" she stated,
earnestly.
The inspector disdained such futile
argument. AS the doorman appeared
in answer 10 the buzzer, he directed
that the stenographer be summoned at
once.
We'll have the confession in due
FORM" he remarked. gazing pleasedly
on the three before him.
He's not going TO confess Mary
insisted. with spirit.
But Burke disregarded her complete
ly. and spoke mechanically to Carson
the formal warning required by the
law
You are hereby cautioned that any
thing You say may be used against
you" Then, as the stenographer en-
tered. he went on with lively interest.
Now. joel"
Yet once again, Mary protested. a
little wildly
Don't speak. Joe, Don't say a word
till we can get lawyer for you
The man met her pleading eyes !
steadily. and shook his head in refusal. |
Its no use, my girl" Burke broke |
in harshly. Il told you I'd get you. /!
I'm going 10 try you and Carson, and |
the whole gang for murder-yes. every |
one of you. And you, Glider he con- |
tinued. lowering on the young man !
who had defied him so obstinately, |
you'll go TO the house of detention
rs a material witness" He turned his
gaze to Carson again, and spoke au-
Come on now. joe"
Carson went step toward the desk
and spoke deciSively.
IF l come through, you'll let her
ha
hought, with a nod toward Dick Gill
Ter.
Wen get the best lawyers in the
COUNTRY" Mary persisted desperately.
Wen save you, Joe-welI save you"
Carson regarded the distraught girl
With wistful eyes. But there was no
race OF yielding in his voice as he h
'epiied. though he spoke very sorrow
ully.
NO you can't help me-" he said sim
'ly. MY time has come. Mary. And
can save you lot of trouble"
Hes right there" Burke calculated.
We've got him cold. So. what's the
se OF. dragging you two into it,"
Then they go clearE" Carson ex-
laimed. eagerly. They amt even to
e called as Witnesses
You're on"' Burke agreed.
Then. here goesr' Carson cried. and ,
e looked expectantly toward the
My name is Joe Carson"
"Alias:" Burke suggested.
"Alias nothing" came the sharp re ,
ort. ''Garson's my monaker. / shot
,nglish Eddie. because he was a !
hunk and a stool pigeon. and he got ,
lst what was coming 10 him" Vitu- 6
Grafton beyond the mere words beat Z
! his voice now.
Now. now" Burke objected. severe q
:. We can't take confession ike L
.st" a