The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-02-20
CHAPTER XXX.
a ConfesaIon Of Love.

! could scarcely believe my eyes as
the mantel swung slowly outward. re
vealing the black hole beyond I
glanced about holplcssly, and sprang
TO .he door 10 call back Farrell. lie
was not In the upper hall, but as my
eyes swept It's length ! remembered
aalf.burned candle in the chamber op-
posIte BY the time returned with #
lighted. the mantol had turned on its
pivot, leaving the way clear. The mar
row stair was vacant, stretching down
into tho black depths. / listened. my
heart throbbinE, but no sound came
from below Could she be there?
Was there any other secret passage
By wh.vn she could have disappeared?
J shuddcrcd al memory o. what II
meant TO be shut W in that dismal
hole, without the Cumpanionship Of
light Fearful Of some accident !
paused long enough to wedge Il heavy
piece of furniture In to opening. and
| then shading the bit OF candle, began
cropping my way down. | had reached
| the lower floor before the nickcring
yellow rays revealed any evidence OF
her presence Then saw a girl lying
head down upon the table. Ny hand
touched her arm before she moved.
but then she faced me, Wild.eyed, the
pistol cleaning in the candlc.lighr.
Claire, CIaIre!" exclaimed.
startled at her sudden movement.
Surely you know me"
For the instant she did not, her
eyes full OF terror
NO no." she cried hystcr,cally.
oh It cannot be. It is a dream, You
you-tcll 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 ! am Allen
Lawrence, and ! have come for YOU.
/ know | look disrTputahle enough. but
there las been fighting surely you
know me now"
Sh0 caught her breath qu ky,
cllnging to me with both hands her
eyes softcning rs she studied my face.
Allen Allen Lawrence" she re.
poatcd softly. "Oh. / can scarcely be-
ltcyc it true lot me feel of you l.
! ! believe was going insane the
dark, the awful dark. and. and no way
out--no way out"
Yes. yes. understand" I whls.
porcd. drawing her to me. 81 was hid.
den here once, remember. But it is
over with now"
"But-how did you find way to
me? IL never thought until Il was
all over that had shut myself In here
to 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, but ! can, Claire" and bent
over her, my hand fondluG her hair.
81 was there in tho hall below, ready
even then to act In your defense. |
heard all that was said, saw all that
was done"
"You-you were there" sobblnc out
tho words. You saw me kill him."
Yes, and had you delayed another
instant | should have done IT,"
"Then--then." she glanced up. tears
dlmming 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 a word. You asked ne TO
come back TO help you. and came"
YES" she whispered. 81 know.
You have been so good"
Good! ! loved you, dear. From the
moment | lifted you out of the way OF
that mob in Philadelphia, 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 tusti.
fed. ! can bring you good news-Eric
is not traitor. but was a prisoner.
captured by Fagin. and held at Grants