The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-11-27

ferently. 1t was very beautiful
yet, in ali exotic way; but he was
weary with 1t all, and his heart faint
with hunger for home.
That was why he had weakened at
the eleventh hour and accepted Dora's
nvitation-because he had been so
long away from home
She chose to break the silence with
4 careless question:
What vessel is that?"
Jack glanced down toward the hxr-
Dor. A fussy steamer was putting in
to its anchorage, like a fat, white
ghost with bright. staring eyes.
! ~It's the mail boat" he told her.
She's in late. Tomorrow" he con-
tinued in half whisper, She'll be
eoins on to Gibraltar and connecting
With the liner for home!"
Yes" said the girl. abstractedly,
and 1apsed again into her silence;
for she was considering how she
might say 10 him that which she
konged to say.
Now said Jack. presently, with
oui daring to look at the girl-whose
eyes never for an instant left his
strong, clean profile-"now. tell me
everything. please. Nora-all the
1vE about everyone 1 know"
She obeyed quietly, in low voice.
n seemed long account, but Jack
I'D not tire in the least
"AAd-snd Gwynne and Beth Som
en-? They're married long since, I
supposeg"
mo. I 1is't mention it, Jack. be-
Ause-s
Il understand-And thank you. But
not married. I must know, Dora"
Tom Gwynne," she said, after a
1use, Is dead"
Dead" he whispered incredulous-
~. Dead" He drew long breath.
Please" he cried, please tell mel
Don't you see I'm tortured, Dora? I
know you only wish to spare me,
but--you sec. there was girl. and
and"
This makes It different" said the
gin. quietly. Nov you can ask her.
Jsek.- She went on, while he listened.
aghast At his slip. That's why ]
wanted % tell you-for the girls
sake. You didn't think that we who
knew you. believed you guilty-did
you! Because we didn't, and that is
why I was glad. oh, so glad, to ind
ysu, and to be the first, tho very first
70 tell you! You see. after you sacri-
feed everything. Jack. and ran away,
trying to save your chum, t, make us
believe that you had-stolen tho
and not Tom Gwynne."
But you mustn't blame him." Ben
sea broke in quickly HE didn't
really know what he was doing"
Y know" She nodded decidedly.
4 know that you sacrificed all to
save your friend. And when Tom
what you had done, when
Il was too late, he told Beth. OF
ssurse that broke the engagement;
md 1t was only q little later that
Ton was thrown from his auto so.ue-
iov-ve never really knew what had
happened. He left a signed confess
JieA; but we didn't know where yom
lad hurled yourself, Jack"
~Oh, you don't know, you dor't
now" he cried brokenly, what this
means to me, Dora!"
"Ah but / do" she told him,
rsntiy. Il know, very we'll. That's
vhy I came here, Jack-to firtd you.
a heard it was a place where peo-
de went when they were In trouble,
md wanted to tell you. be cause
,ecause" there sounded that
,itiful little quaver in her voice
Because the girl is waiting for you"
Then I'll go!" he cried. 'T'll go!
Dora, Dora, don't know how to
hank you'll I'm of In the morning
y that mail steamer. Hoplels You
Won't mind my hurying off to pack.
III yuu?e She sails st sunrise and
ust think, in ten days I'll see Beth
And when he was gone she stood
or long time motionless, dry of eye
nd lip. staring at the corner around
shich he had disappeared. Finally
he; stretched forth both arms.
"Oh, nay dear, my dear!" she sobbed
8 If her heart would break-but gen
y, that none might hear.