The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-06-12
CHAPTER xxxv.
A Confession of Love.

0OtiSooiOt " wv
could scarcely believe my eyes as
the mantel swung slowly outward, re-
vealing the black hole beyond. l
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 OPP
posite. BY the time l returned with 1t
lighted, the mantel had turned on its
pivot, leaving the way clear. The mar
row stair was vacant, stretching down
into the black depths. listened, my
heart throbbing, but no sound came
from below. Could she be there?
Vas there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappeared?
| s~huddered at memory of what it
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 pickering
yellow rays revealed any evidence of
her presence. Then l saw a 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.
mo! mol" she cried Historically
"Oh. 1t cannot be! 1t is a dream! You
-you-tell me who you are?"
l caught her hand. the pistol fall
ing to the floor. and placed the candle
stick upon the table.
at is no dream, dear. | am Allen
Lawrence. and l have come for you
/ know / look disreputable enough, but
there has been fghting-surely you
know me now"
She caught her breath quickly
clinging to me with both hands-heI
eyes s~oftening as she studied my face
"Allen-Allen Lawrence!" she re
peated softly. "Oh, / a scarcely be.
lieve 1t true. Let me feel of you. T.
l believe l was going insane-the
DARK, the awful dark, and. and no way
out-no way out"
Eyes, yes, l understand" whis
pered, drawing her to me. Il was hid
den here once. remember. But 1t il
over with now"
"But-how did you find a way to
me? IL never thought until II was
all over that had shut myself in here
to die. ! was SO frightened. i just
ran and hid. Oh. you cannot conceive
what l had gone through"
She drew away from me. and again
hid her face on the table.
"Oh. but I can. Claire" and 1 ben,
over her. my hand fondling her hair.
Il was there In the hall below, ready
even then to act In your defense.
heard all that was said. saw all that
was DONE"
"You-you were the,e?" sobbing out
the words. "You saw me kill him."
Yes. and had you delayed another
instant I should have done IT,"
"Then-then." she glanced up, tears
dimming her eyes. you do not blame
me? You do not think me a wicked
wretch"
Il think you a brave. noble woman
I burst forth. "How could I feel 9th.
erwise' Look up. little girl: I want
70 see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me. There IL no cause.
know the whole story without your
speaking a word. You asked me to
come back to help you. and I came"
YES" she whispered. II know.
You hare been so good"
Good / loved ron. dear. From the
moment I lifted you but OF the way OF
that mob in Philadelphia, I have loved
you4I did o understand much that
foSc.r-ss~ hare sss*cc
ycu- Now ] realize the cause OF ycas
masquerade and know 3ou were justi
Ned. I can bring you good news--Erit
= not . traitor, but was Z prisoner
eaptured BY Eag1e and held at 0rant'S