The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-30
CHAPTER XIV.
Love That Endures.

n~und It's way across hdll INC HS"
tops in Mount Hope to the SOLITARY
window That gave light and air 10
John Nortn's narrow cell For seven
long days, over the intervening
housetops, he had been observing
those undulating hills. gAzing at them
until thcy seemed like some great
live thing continually disappearing IN
the distance. Now he was watching
their misled shapes sink deep into the
twilight.
North, by his counsel, had waved
the usual preliminary hearing before
the mayor. his case had gone at once
10 the grand Jury, he had Leen indict-
ed and his trial was set for the Fed
ruary term OF court. Watt HARRISON
had warned him that he might eNpec5
only this. yet his hrst feeling OF as
tonished horror a--71rI--w WITH him
As he stood by his window he was
recalling the separate events OF the
day. Ine court room had been
crowded 10 the verge OF su1ocauou,
when he entered it sudden hush
and a mighty craning Of neeks had
been his welcome, and he had ielt
his cheeks redden and pale with
sense OF shame at his hapless, pllsht.
Those many pairs OF eyes that were
fixed on aim seemed IL lay, bare his
Utmost thu lights he had known no
refuge from their pitilcss insistcnce
In the close overhoatod room the
vitiated air had slowly mounted 10
the brain soon a third 81 the specta-
tors nodded in their chairs scarcely
able 10 Feep awake; others moved
restlessly with a dull sense OF ply
steal discomfort, while the law, ex-
pressing itself in archaic terms,
wound Its way through 4 labyrinth OF
technicalitics, and reached out hun
grily for his very life.
He knew that he would be given
every opportunity 10 establish his in
nocencer but he could not rid himself
OF the ugly disconcerting belief that
a man hunt was on and that he. the
hunted creature, was to be driven
from cover to cover while the state
drew its threads OF testimony about
him strand by strand, until they final
ly reached his very throat, choking
strangling. killing!
He thought OF Elizabeth and was
infinitely sorry. She must. forget him
she must go her way and leave him
10 20 his-or the laws He could
face the ruin OF his own life. but II
must stop there, He wondered what
they were saying and doing at Idle
Hour; he wondered what the whole
free world was doing, while he stood
there gazing from behind his bars al
the empurpled hills In the distance.
He fell to pacing the narrow limits
of his room; four steps took him to
the door, then he turned and four
steps took him back TO his starting
point, the barred window Presently
a football sounded in the corridor. a
key was fitted in the heavy lock, and
the door was opened by Brockett, the
sheriffs deputy, a roundfaced, jolly,
little man with ehoRy-batd head
and closely cropped gray mustache.
You've got visitors, joint said
Brockett cheerfully, pausing in the
doorway.
North turned on him swiftly.
"The general and Miss Herbert
you see your friends amt forgot you,
You'll want 10 see them, | suppose,
and you'd rather 90 down in the Of
fee, wouldn't your"
Il should much prefer IT," said
North.
His first emotion had been one OF
keen delight, but as he followed
Brockett down the corridor the
memory OF what he was, and where
he was, came back TO him He had
no right to demand anything OF love
or friendship-guilty or innocent mat
tered not at all They were nearing
the door now beyond which stood
Elizabeth and her father. and North
paused. placing a hand on the
deputy's arm. The spirit Of his re-
nunciation had been strong within
him, but another feeling was stronger
still, he found; an ennobling pride in
her devotion and trust. What a pity
the finer things OF life were 30 often
the impractical! He. pushed past the
deputy and entered the ONCE.
Elizabeth came toward him with
hands extended. Her cheeks were
quite colorless but the smile that
parted her lips was infinitely tender
and compassionate.
You should not have come here!
North said, almost reproachfully, as
his hands closed about hers.
General Herbert stood gravely re-
garding the two, and his glance when
II rested on North troubled and
uncertain difficulties which be
set this luckless fellow we're only be-
ginning, and what would the end beg
Father"
Elizabeth had turned toward him,
and he advanced with as brave a
show OF cordially as he could CON-
mand; but North read and understood
the look Of pain In his frank gray
eyes.
"You agree with me that she
should never have come here North
said quietly. but you couldn't re-
fuse her!" he added. and his glance
went back TO Elizabeth.
Under the circumstances IL was
right for her 10 COME" said the gen
eral. But In his heart he was none
too sure.
Il couldn't remain away after to-
day; / had been waiting for that
stupid jury TO act She ended
abruptly with a little laugh that be-
came a sob, and her father rested a
large and gentle hand upon '-hor
shoulder.
There. dear, told you all along
II wouldn't do to count on any jury"
My affairs are worth considering
only as they affect you, Elizabeth"
said North. Il was thinking OF you
when Brockett came 10 tell me you
we're here. Won't you go away from
Mount Hope? / want you 10 forget
no" for she was about to speak