The Delta independent., 1917-09-21

fear she might cOnstrue his presence
here into callous seeking into the mys-
terry of the secret that hallowed grave
might conceal.
A fine bitter scorn came into that
lovely face he had not believed 1t capa-
BILE Of expressing, as he said simply:
"Pardon me-" and started respectful
ly to move on.
"Oh, understand 7" she said-"they
even enlighten strangers as to the
wretched calumny that killed my poor
father"
"You mistake" spoke Blatchford
speedily. at was reverence, 1t was
sympathy, 1t was a solemn pity at the
presence Of that strange word
'hush'i"
She fixed a look upon him as If in
tent upon reading his very soul Then
her eyes sOftened. She turned her
face away. He caught the faint echo
of sob.
''If dared to believe that 1 could
be of service to you'll" he was con-
strained to speak, mot to intrude on
your sorrow. only to tighten your bur-
me. all l see, all l surmise. appeals to
the depths Of my very soul"
Again those translucent eyes fixed
his own. She put out her hand. She
did not withdraw 1t until she had led
him to a rustic bench at the edge Of
the pathway.
"'Hush'!" she said. do you under
stand what that means? Go ask any
gossip of the town. look back in the
public prints a year agone, learn all
the tragic story as others tell 1t. Then.
II your soul does not shrink from the
hideous presentment, come to me, as
friend. as counselor of broken-heart-
ed woman with but one thought in
life-to clear the memory OF a noble
father unjustly accused, driven to bis
death by the uncharitableness Of .
cruel persecution"
He welcomed 1t. he cherished 1t. And
all the time his mind was repeating
that name. "williston Burgoyne."
The single name had simply awakened
his memory. the two together-it all
came back to him now He did not
tell his impassioned companion what
was In his mind. He listened TO her
story and a new flood OF light resulted
She told OF her father. rich. honored.
respected. accused by business rival
who hated him OF fnithlessness In the
sacred trust of widow and orphan
Long since the just division of an es-
tate had been concluded. When Mr.
Burgoyne went 10 get the papers prov
ltNtr k.. IA t.alg In hA
trust. they were gone.
The house had been burglarized
month before" narrated Miss Bur
goyne. "Whoever took jcwelry and
money also carried away portfolio
containing those papers. The wicked.
relentless, prosecutor saw his power
and urged 1t cruelty. Our claims were
treated ns fiction. my father was dis
grnced. The blow killed him. The
thief probably threw the papers away.
for / have advertised a large reward
for their return
An appeal for help. for sympathy.
for interest was In those beautiful
eyes. Blatchford arose, n great pur-
pose In his mind.
Dear lady" he said. and his strong
'piN' h'ih'i'hs souf pttilui rloFy nav
opened sealed chamber in my mind.
may have great news for you within
the next fcrty-elght hours"
He had. for this had happened:
Nearly year before his law firm hnd
closed up the affairs of notorious
criminal and his wife had brought all
OF his papers to the office. Distinctly
now Blatchford recalled "a package OF
documents bearing the name willis
ton Burgoyne." Back he sped to the
city. On IA dusty shelf of the vault
Of the Office Blatchford found them.
where they had been cast aside us hav-
Ing no bearing on the estate OF the
criminals widow.
But to Barnabctta Burgoyne they
were everything. for they were the
documents that proved her father nm
Innocent mani
1t was the glory OF her life, the re-
Mobilization of that beloved parents
memory. 1t was Blatchford who
stanchly assisted her in the task.
In the glow OF n beautiful summer
evening those two. with Joined hands
and Joined hearts. saw removed by the
carver's chIsel from the little obscure
tombstone, that senring. sinister word,
Hush IL