Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1914-07-31
TheHOlOW
b ; Of Her Hand
George Barr MoCutCheOn
G1oy2NHTZ m ~ LICI0[T dNRR ES(U7IHZCI

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 1t 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"
II don't believe you know Hetty as
well 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? ?"
mo. 1t Is the test. She will know
that l have told you everything. You
will go to her. Then she may under
stand. II she forgives she will come
back. There Is nothing else to say,
nothing else to consider"
Il shall go to her at once" he said
resolutely.
She gave him 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, IL sup
pose the law will have to be consid-
cred now. She will at least have to
go through the form of 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 f1ercely.
Il want you to understand one thing,
Brandon. The story / have told you
was for your ears alone. The secret
lives with US and dies with us"
He looked his relief. Right! It
must go no farther. It is not 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. "It is very
raw and wet down here. Comet"
AS she started OF along the long,
narrow pier, he sprang after her,
grasping her arm. She leaned rather
heavily against him fort a few steps
and then drew herself up. Her teeth
still chartered, her arm trembled in
his clasp.
by Jove, Sara, this Is bad" he
cried, in distress. You're chilled to
the marrow"
Nerves." she retorted, and he some
how felt that her lips were set and
drawn.
You must get to bed right away.
Hot bath, mustard, and all that. I'll
not stop for dinner. Thank just the
same. l will be over In the morn
Ing"
when will you sail?" she asked.
AFTER moment.
81 can't go for ten days, at least.
My mother goes into the hospital next
week for an operation. as I've told you.
| can't leave until after that's over.
Nothing serious, but-well, can't go
away shall write to Hetty tonight,
and cable her tomorrow. BY the way,
IL dont know just where to find her.
You sea, we were not to write to each
other. 1t was in the bargain. I sup
pose yau don't know how can"
Yes. can tell you precisely where
she Is. She Is in Venice, but leaves
there ser Rome, by the Express"
"Then you have been hearing from
herr" he cried sharply.
muchs there has not been day since
she landed in England that have not
received news of her ! have not
been cut of touch with her, Brandon.
not CIV en- for an hour"
Good heaven, Sara! You don't
meaa to say you've had her Swallowed
by-ty detectives" he exclaimed,
aghast
Mot directly. But l will say this
Her maid is a very faithful serv-
ant" was her ambiguous rejoinder.