The Ozark spectator., 1917-01-20
CHAPTER TX.
Sacrifice.

Niiic Ioue HIS SoTTeI L1dTe lulO COTyuOH next day and drew rein at Patrice O'Bannon's door.
 Toinette, in the early morning sun shine, was rapturous bird-song made into woman, flower dew-bright, a carol, an embodiment of earths re- smile that made him wonder, with ready vanity, if he had not been mis- taken in the rebuff she had once ad- ministered. If he had pressed her more hardily-did she really love Lar renee? An, if he could only drive the man out of Corydon! The black beast of his jealous hatred rode on his back and he went straight to his purpose:
 "I have sad news for you, Toinette."
 The smile faded from her face and she looked at him with slow alarm growing in her eyes.
 Tt is very hard for me to tell you. It is about Larrence."
 "David!" The name was wrung from her like gasp.
 "I cannot believe the truth myself. You remember that I told you once that suspected Larrence of being in league with the Englishman, Cranmer? I have learned the certain truth since is left to finish his work-the work of spy!"
 "Who says this?"
 Captain Bullitt at Louisville told me. It will be common talk in another day. I do not know what to do. I have not slept all night. Only one thing has been clear to me-my love for you.".
 'What part has that in this?" she asked proudly.
 Everything. It is because I love you that have come to you now. l. you-told me once that could not hope ever to win you. l tried to turn you against the man I feared. But 1 know now that my love for you is stronger than mere desire. 1 want you to be happy, even though I suffer. And so have come to tell you first of all. No one here knows that Larrence is in England's service. Let it be
  have come to give you the greatest gift that is in my power. l give you the life of this man. Warn him, and there is yet time for him to escape. I shall be happy if you are happy. Only remember that I loved you, Toi- nette!"
 The halting sentences seemed to come from the depths of his soul. He finished and stood before her humbly, his head bowed.
 God bless you," she said very softly.
 She spilled the precious ointment of her innocent faith in his words upon the dross of his heart. He raised his head and thanked her mutely, while his pulses leaped with exultation. She had believed him! But would she warn Larrence? He scarcely dared to hope as he whispered:
 'If you will warn him at midnight my mare will be at his door, ready to ride"
 But the girl answered in a voice that seemed to come from beyond the grave. so full of a souls agony it was:
 ''There will be no need I shall give him up. Oh, David, David. David"
 He turned to hide the mocking smile that lighted up his face.
 The girls face had grown pale as the white rose she held in her hand. But she forced herself to go on-un- hesitatingly, but In voice from which all life had fled, so weighted with un- utterable anguish it was:
 You had better inform Judge Boone at once."
 You don't understand, Toinette. l shall not raise finger against Lar renee. He shall never say I am re- sponsible for his exposure. You alone in Corydon know his secret. It is for you to decide"
 "Go,' she said quietly. T will do my duty"
 Have I done mine. Toinettef Do you forgive me?"
 "Yes. you have done well," she an- swered mechanically.
 "I may see you agninf Oh, Tot- nette. let me still hope,"
 "I cannot answer now. But" her throat seemed to choke her and she was unable to finish. But through the young doctors mind there flashed the belief that he would yet make her his She would forget Larrence-only let time heal the wound! He raised her hand to his lips, flung himself upon the red mare and was gone.
 e.
 To Toinette the next minutes were an unreal procession in which girl named Antoinette O'Bannon moved strangely upon her task, dry-eyed. steady-voiced. She saw this girl go down the lane to the tavern, where Ike Blackford sat deep in "a book of law; heard her ask him to go with her to Davids store; sew him bow with unquestioning courtesy: saw them cross the courthouse square and enter