Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1921-05-28

III was true. III spite vi ever sIhhhB'
she was strangely glad. But 1t was
wrong of her to say so.
81 myself slept till noon," he volun-
teered. "Then ] waited and waited
for you to wake up, but you were
sleeping like child, you never stirred;
one had not the heart to disturb you.
Then, when 1t got so late, and could
no longer put off going down into the
valley, gave Martha instructions not
to leave your bedside till | returned
or you awakened"
She wondered "Why?"
II was afraid, / dared not leave
anything to chance. One could not
foretell in what condition you would
wake up. If anything had happened
l think another disappearance
would have driven me insanel !"
She avoided his eyes, and asked,
rather mechanically, more to say
something than out of desire to know:
"Why did you have to go down into
the valley?"
ITO telegraph New York and call off
the detectives | had employed to look
for you. Also 10 tell the villagers you
were safely found, and thank them.
They were most kind, those good peo-
ple fully half hundred of them
| stayed up all night with me, while we
searched the woods; and though many
had not had wink of sleep, they
were still searching yesterday after
noon when | despared and determined
to seek you in New York
Thus reminded of the sad futiiity of
that search, she was too deeply dis
turbed to wonder why he could not
have telephoned to the village,
The Japanese served their coffee In
the living room. 1t was now quite
dark, and the air though sweet was
keen. The fire was burning but the
windows and door were not closed
and the family acrid smell of wood
smoke blended pleasantly with the
| pungent perfume of the pines.
Mario placed an easy chair for
Priscilla. made 1t easier with cush-
ions for her back and head, offered
her cigarettes-and showed surprise
when she refused them--lighted one
for himself and threw 1t away half
smoked, and knelt down beside her
chair, resting his elbows on Its arm
and capturing one of her hands
She tried to steel herself against
the weakness of the flesh, the protests
of her affections, the enervation Of her
sympathies, reminding herself she
must be cruel to be kind. But 1t was
terribly hard to hurt him as she must.
1t wasn't as If she didn't care 4.
The mere contact of his hand thrilled
her heart to faster tempo, quickening
breath and pulses, affected all her be-
ing with tremors of fear and glad
ness made her infirm and weak of
purpose She had for him only a
pathetic apology for smile, forlorn
little shake of her head.
A deeper concern Swallowed his face.
He asked tenderly: what is it, dear?
You must tell me
"It's going to be so hard" she said
reluctantly, ito say what must j
can't think how to begin, except In
the bluntest way"
EDO not be afraid. Tell me frankly
how | have failed you, in what respect
/ have fallen short"
"But you haven't"
"1hen what 1t was | did to make
you run away from me-"
I'm sure you could have done moth
ing"
"Still, you ran away"
"No-I didn't"
He demonstrated sharply; Leo
moral I"
I'm not" she declared desperately
-"Im not Leonora."
"Whatp
~ am not your wife Mario"
zone moment ClOuded with
doubt, his eyes challenged the candor
of hers, but found it fiawless. At q
loss-"What are you sayingT he NUT
tered.
1.-THE truth" she affirmed. "Oh, I'm
sorry. Mario, so sorry
But / don't understand
She sat up, closing his hand within
her own.
I'm so sorry" she iterated--"but
must tell you, can't avoid telling you
Leonora is dead"
He disengaged his hand and stood
up sharply.
"Leonora !"
as dead. She was killed day be
fore yesterday"
Are you out of your mindl Or an
IT.
"Please lsten--don't make 1t any
harder than ii is. Carnehan murdered
Le0nora while you were away, in town
You see, he wasn't killed In the fire
after all--he's alive. The identifica
tion of the body as his was mistake
or a ruse 10 further his escape.
saw him last night. He was in tina
place"
II know Carnehan is not dead. Ru
what is this nonsense you are tryiDt
to tell met"
She repeated He killed Leonora
He met her"
The man gave gesture of exaspera
ton.
"But one of us Ia mad !"
mo Maria" she gald gently -