Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-01-24
CHAPTER xxxv.
a Confession of Love.

| could scarcely believe my eyes as
the mantei SWING 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 OPP
posite. By the time | 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 throtbing, but no sound came
from below. Could she be there?
Was there any other secret passage
by which she could have disappeared?
] shuddered at memory of what 1t
meant to be shut up in that dismal
hole. without the companionship OF
light. Fearful of some accident
paused long enough to wedge heavy
piece of furniture in the opening, ard
then, shading the bit of candle, began
cropping my way down. / had reached
the lower floor before the flickering
yellow rays revealed any evidence of
her presence. Then / saw a girl lying
head down upon the table. My hand
touched her arm before she moved,
but then sac faced me. wi!d-eyed, the
pistol cleaning in the candle-iight
"Ciairei Claire!" exclaimed,
startled at her Sudden movement.
Surely you know me-"
For the instant she did not, her
eyes full of terror
No! MOI" she cried Historically
oh, it cannot be- It Is a dream! You
-~you-tell me who you are?"
caught her hand. the pistol fall
ing to the floor, and placed the candle
~ * upon the table.
1T is no dream, dear am Allen
Lawrence, and | have come for you
! know look disreputable enough, but
there has been fighting surely you
know me now
She caught her breath quickly.
clinging TO me with both hands-her
eyes softening as she studied my face
"A1en--Allen Lawrencel" she re-
peated softly. "Oh. can scarcely be-
lev it true. Let me feel of you. -
| aciieve / was going insane-the
dark. the awful dark. and. and no way
oui-no way out"
Yes, yes. | understand" wills,
peFed, drawing her to me. Il was hid
q n here once, remember. But it is
o3er with now"
'But-how did you find way to
ne? IL never thought until it was
ell over that had shut myself in here
20 die. | was so frightened | Just
ran and hid Oh. you cannot conceive
what | had gone through
She drew away from me. and again
hid her face on the table
"oh. hut can, Claire, and bent
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 ak tha,
was done"
"You-you were there?" sobbing out
the words. You saw me kill him ?"
Yes. and had you delayed another
instant should have done H."
"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 brave. noble woman
burst forth. How could feel 9th.
erwise? Look up, little girl; want
to see your face. No, don't shrink
back from me, There is no cause
/ know the whole story without your
speaking word You asked me 10
come back to help you. and came
Yes" she WHISPERED. 81 know
You, have been so good"
Good! I~loved you. dear. From rha
moment lifted you out of the way of
that mob in Philadelphia, have loved
YOU. | did not understand much that
occurred, but have never dopbted
yea, Now | realize the cause Of vonr
masquerade and know you were ipsti.
ned. can bring you good news--Eric
is not traitor but was prisoner
captured by Fagin, and held at Grant,s