The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-08-13

W&&N 80 II
He was staring at her with dilated
eyes. Slowly the truth was being
borne in upon him.
THE woman was-Hetty?" came
hoarsely from his stiffening lips MY
God, Sara!"
She came close to him and spoke
in half-whisper. Nov you know the
secret. Is it safe with you?"
He opened his lips to speak, but no
words came forth. Paralysis seemed
to have gripped not only his throat
but his senses. He reeled She
and whispered:
BE careful! No one must hear
what we are saying" She shot q
glance down the deserted hail. mo
one is near. l made sure of that
Don't speak! Think first think we'll,
Brandon Booth. 1t is what you have
been seeking for montLs-the truth.
You share the secret with us now.
Again l ask, is it safe with you?"
MY God!" he mutt&red again, and
passed his hand over his eyes, His
49,
gers dumbly as if expecting to find
them covered with blood
rs it safe with you?" for the third
time.
Safe? Safe" he whispered, follow
ing her example without knowing that
he did so. II can't believe you,
Sara. 1t can't be true"
1T is true"
you have known-all this timer
Prom that night when stood where
we are standing now"
"And-and-she?"
Il had never seen her until that
| night 1 saved her"
He dropped suddenly upon the trunk
that stood behind him, and buried his
face in his hands. For long time
she stood over him, her interest divid-
ed between him and the hall, wherein
lay their present peril.
Come" she said at last. Pull your
self together. We must leave this
place. If you are not careful they
will suspect something downstairs"
He looked up with haggard eyes,
studying her face with curious intent
ness.
What manner of woman are you,
Sara?" he questioned, slowly. won
deringly.
Il have just discovered that 1 am
very much like other women, after
ALL she said. For awhile l thought
| was different, that l was stronger
than my sex. But l am just as wealt,
just as much to be pitied, just ID
much to be scorned as any one Of my
sisters. l have spoiled a great AIT
by STOPPING to do a mean one. Cos
will bear witness that my Thoughts
were noble at the outset; my heart
was soft. But come! There is much
more to tell that cannot be told here
,, You shall know everything"
They went downstairs and out into
the crisp autumn air. She gave direc
, tons to her chauffeur. They were
to traverse for some distance the same
!, road she had taken on that illfate {
night a year and a half before. II
course of time the motor approache {
well-remembered railway crossing
, SLOW down, Cole,' she said. "ThA
, is mean place-a very mean place.
, Turning to Booth, who had been sit
ting grim and silent beside her fl
miles, she said, lowering her voice: .
remember that crossing yonder. They.
is a sharp curve beyond. This is til
!, place. Midway between the tN'
crossings, | should say. Please ri
i member this part Of the road, Bran
v don, when l come to the telling o
l that nights ride to town. Try to pic
. ture this spot-this smooth, straigl,
road as 1t might be on dark, freeziE
9 night in the very thick of a screamir
. blizzard, with all the world abed SAY,
two women"
In his mind he began to draw II,
picture, and to place the two wome
:, in the center of it, without knowir.
the circumstances There was som,
y thing fascinating in the study he wa
!, making, something gruesome and fu
). Of sinister possibilities for the han
:, of virile painter. He wondered no
near his imagination was to placin