Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-07-24

away with that last ugly thought of
me, with the thought OF me as | ap-
peared to her on that last, enlighten-
ing day. All these months it has been
growing more horrible TO her. 1t has
been beside her all the time. All
these months she has known that
pretended to love her as"
81 don't believe you know Hetty as
we'll as you think you do" he broke
in. You forget that she loved you
with all her soul. You can't kill love
so easily as all that. 1t will be all
right, Sara. You must write and ask
her to come back. It"
"Ah, but you don't know!" Then
she related the story of the liberated
canary bird. "Hetty understands. The
cage door is open. She may return
when she chooses, but-don't you see
she must come of her own free
will"
you will not ask her to come"
"No. 1t is the test. She will know
that l have told you everything. You
will go to her. Then she may under.
stand. If she forgives she will come
back. There is nothing else to say
nothing else to consider"
81 shall go to her at once" he said
resolutely.
She gave him a quick, searching
glance.
"She may refuse to marry you, even
now, Brandon"
"She can't" he cried. An instant
later his face fell. "By Jove, II sup
pose the law will have to be consid
cred now. She will at least have to
go through the form Of a trial"
She whirled on him angrily. "The
law? What has the law to do with
it? Don't be a fool"
"She ought to be legally exoner
ated." he said.
Her fingers gripped his arm fiercely
81 want you to understand one thing
Brandon. The story l have told you
was for your ears alone. The secret
lives with US and dies with u.s."
He looked his relief. Right! II
must go no farther. 1t Is not a mat
ter for the law to decide. You may
trust me-"
Il am cold" she said. He heard
her teeth chatter distinctly as she
pulled her thick mantle closer about
her throat and shoulders. at is very
raw and wet down here. GOMEZ"
AS she started off along the long
narrow pier, he sprang after her
grasping her arm. She leaned rather
heavily against him for a few steps
and then drew herself up. Her teeth
still chartered, her arm trembled il
his clasp.
"By Jove, Sara, this is bad" be
cried, in distress. You're chilled tt
the marrow"
Nerves" she retorted, and he some
how felt that her lips were set anC
drawn.
You must get to bed right away
Hot bath, mustard, and all that. II
not stop for dinner. Thanks just thu
same. l will be over in the morn
ing"
when will you sail?" she asked
after a moment.
Il can't go for ten days, at least
My mother goes into the hospital mex
week for an operation, as I've told you
l can't leave until after that's over
Nothing serious, but-well, l can't g
away. l shall write to Hetty tonight
and cable her tomorrow. By the way
II don't know just where to find her
You see, we were not to write to eacl
other. 1t was in the bargain. l sup
pose you don't know how / can"
Yes, can tell you precisely wher
she is. She is in Venice, but leave
there for Rome, by the Express"
Then you have been hearing from
herr" he cried sharply.
much: there has not been a day sine
she landed in England that l have no
received news of her. l have no
been out Of touch with her, Brandon
not even for an hour"
Good heaven, Sara! You don
mean to say you've had her shadowe
by-by detectives" he exclaimed
aghast.
mot directly. But I will say thi
Her maid is very faithful ser1
ant" was her ambiguous rejoinder.