The Forrest City times., 1914-06-26
TheHOlOW
 n > of Her Hand George Barr MoCutCheOn

away with that last ugly thought of me, with the thought of me as l ap- peared to her on that last, enlighten- ing day. All these months it has been growing more horrible to her. It has 1 been beside her all the time All these months she has known that pretended to love her as"
 T 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 cant kill love so easily as all that. It 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. It Is the test. She will know that have told you everything You will go to her. Then she may under.
  back. There is nothing else to say nothing else to consider"
 T 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 love, I-I 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 1t? Don't be fool!" She ought to be legally exoner ated." he said.
 Her fingers gripped his arm fiercely 'l want you to understand one thing Brandon. The story I have told you was for your ears alone The score, lives with us and dies with us" He looked his relief Right! II must go no farther. It Is not a mat ter for the law to decide You may trust me"
 T am cold" she said. He heard her teeth chatter distinctly as she | pulled her thick mantle closer about | her throat and shoulders. Tt Is very raw and wet down here Come."
 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 chattered her arm trembled ir his clasp.
 By love, Sara, this is bad" he cried. in distress. You're chilled tc the marrow"
 Nerves" she retorted, and he some how felt that her lips were set ant drawn
 You must get to bed right away Hot bath. mustard. and all that. IT not stop for dinner. Thanks just the same l will be over in the morn ing"
 When will you sail?" she asked after moment
 "l cant go for ten days, at least My mother goes into the hospital nex week for an operation. as I've told you l cant leave until after that's over Nothing serious, but-well. l cant gc away. l shall write to Hetty tonight and cable her tomorrow. By the way Fl don't know just where to find her You see, we were not to write to eact other. It was in the bargain l sup pose you don't know how l can"
 Yes. can tell you precisely where she Is. She is in Venice, but leave. there for Rome, by the Express"
 Then you have been hearing iron her?' he cried sharply.
 much: there has not been a day since she landed in England that I have no, received news of her. have no, been out of touch with her, Brandon not even for an hour"
 Good heaven, Sara You dont mean to say you've had her shadowec by-by detectives" he exclaimed aghast
 Not directly, But I will say thi.
 Her maid is very faithful serv ant" was her ambiguous rejonder.