The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-06-04
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/ away with that last ugly thought o'
me, with the thought Of me as I ap
peared to her on that last, enlighten
ing day.. All these months it has beer
growing more horrible to her. 1t has
been beside her all the time. AL
these months she has known that
pretended to love her as"
81 don't believe you know Hetty s.
well as you think you do," he bBke
in. "You forget that she love9you
with all her soul. You can't Ill love
so easily as all that. 1t I'll be all
right, Sara. You must Tite and ask
! her to come back. It,
"Ah, but you dcpG know!" Then
she related the stoFy of the liberated
canary bird. "E9sty understands. The
cage door is open. She may return
when she chooses, but-don't you see?
she mrst come Of her own free
will" n
"Yoxwill not ask her to Gomez"
no. It is the test. She will know
that I 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"
"I 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, IL 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 angrny. "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 fercely.
'I want you to. understand one thing,
Brandon. The story I have told you
was for your ears alone. The secret
lives with US and dies with u.s."
He looked his relief. Right! 1t
must go no farther. It is not a mat
ter for the law to decide. You may
trust me-
"I 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 off along the long,
narrow pier, he sprang after her,
grasping her arm. She leaned rather
heavily against him for 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. Thanks just the
same. I 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-wen, can't go
away. I shall write to Hetty tonight,
and cable her tomorrow. BY the way,
IL don't know just where to 6nd her.
You see, we were not to write to each
other. It was in the bargain. sup
pose you don't know how I can"
Eyes, can tell you precisely where
she is. She is in Venice, but leaves
there for Rome, by the Express"
Then you have been hearing from
herr" he cried sharply.
much: there has not been day since
she landed in England that have not
received news Of her. I have not
been out Of touch with her, Brandon.
not even for an hour"
Good heaven, Sara! You don't
mean to say you've had her shadowed
by-by detectives" he exclaimed,
aghast.
mot directly. But I will say this
"Her maid is a very faithful serv-
ant" was her ambiguous reioinder.