The evening world., 1916-06-08

sam Is the porter. | locked him
in the stateroom." she explained. Il
am quite sure thai that Is what Is
keeping them."
"Well-granted," admitted Larry:
but they are not likely TO catch
them. and you mustn't
I'm not going to-any more than
I'm going to stop that train when 1t
comes along" she. asserted quietly.
and smiled at him again.
Larry came up on his elbow.
But you must stop that train!" he
cried. You can't stay out here alone
In the mountains all night! II is the
only wayi"
But now the air OF lightness left
her suddenly. as she forced him gent
ly back on to the ground.
You big. brave, foolish man"--her
voice choked a little-'do you think
you'd probably die before morning"
But tell you I'll be all right after
a little rest" declared Larry stoutly.
II know. I'm a lot better now. |
won't let you stay
II don't see how YOU are going to
prevent IT," she said softly.
II can prevent It easily" he said.
III you won't signal the train for
yourself, I'll do It! I have only to
fire few shots from my revolver as
1t comes along. They'll hear IT,"
Which would mean, OF course. that
you would be captured" he said.
Larry did not answer.
She spoke again:
I'm other words, l am to have my
choice between leaving a wounded
man out here alone In the mountains,
or OF handing him over--to prison"
There Is no other way" Larry's
voice was low. II can't let you stay
out here-I can't let you do It. MY
God. you've done enough for me
now"
She broke a long moments silence
Tonight, IL seems as though II
were year ago" she said almost to
herself, II called YOU thief and
drove you from the car after I had
heard Mr.. Felton's story. ] would
not listen TO your story then-will
you tell 1t to mo now?"
II have no proof" he answered.
II did not ask for proof" she said
'I've had my lesson too late. l
guess" he said slowly. MY temper's
got me into trouble all my life. told
you that | thought I had killed Ma
son tonight II Is true that ] am
the one who knocked him out: and It
is true that otherwise all this could
YOU"
And then. still slowly at first. the
story came; but presently he began
TO speak more rapidly until. eagerly,
passionately, immersed in IT all him
self, unconscious of his own fine ear
nestness, his life from his boyhood
lay bare before her. She did not stir:
she did not turn her head TO look at
him. sonnet ines his eyes sought her
face. more often he spoke staring, as
she stared. straight before him. He
came 10 tho end, and there his voice
dropped again.
II meant TO find the man who stole
the money. | meant to clear myself.
| couldn't " | were caught. That
would end the whole thing. / was
going back 10 Angel as soon as they
had let up a bit on the chase think
the thief is there. He'd have no rea-
son to run away. I'm already con-
victcd, and that makes 1t safe for
him
You have fought pretty hard,
haven't you-to keep them from cap
turing you?"-her voice was scarcely
audible.
There was no other chance for
me-" he said.
And now / am to take that chance
away from you-or else leave YOU
hara IyeIl I viii not do ~ I-TU
Aeht nretty hard myself before I le,
,hem 90, yo,, heca,isei-
"I Lnow What Won ara poinp N
.oy" ha ,ntarr,n,ed oIIckIV "Re-
ca,,so vou think Won owe mo some
hing for''
MOI"
She had turned toward him now
MI. Ill .t..av
tho IIns were o,,iverinp. her face was
Iilumined amilinp tremulously into
his,
"No--bu, becauso believe ever,
word YOU have said. I believed in yo,
when Won came TO tho car the seconC
time tonight. believe in you now.
know YOU are guiltlcss. They shall no
get you through me--they shall not!
He caught her hand and held I
tightly between both his own. II was
the only way Of telling her. His voice
would have broken II he had tried 4
speak,
And NO You see" she said. that
am going to stay"
He came up straight now into a sit
ting posture. though II took all hi
strength to accomplish II.
y am better now-see' he said
Forcing himself 10 speak calmly, II
has made me strong again 10 know
that you believe in me. l shall al
ways remember tnls, and-ano thanf