Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-12-12

into bitter SODDlng. he put MS arms
about her, and kissed the top of her
soft hair.
Look here, dear" he said, after
while, 81 want to talk to you for
few minutes. We don't know what's
ahead of us, and want to say this
while have a chance"
They sat down on the bed. side by
side, and he locked his arm about her.
"One thing want to say is this"
Gibbs said, slowly, II wasn't good
husband to you. the last year, but 1t
was only that I was fool, Ellen.
never was untrue to you even In my
thoughts"
81 know It'll" she said fervently.
raising her wet eyes to meet his. "Oh,
Gibbs, my own sweetheart" she burst
out, her eyes brimming again, what
haven't you given me?-a little coun-
try girl who never had anything in her
life until you came alongl Paris, and
my boy, and my little girl-and your
love, Gibbs, that made life seem
miracle to me-"
Don't cry, Ellen" he pleaded, and
she made herself be calm again.
There's one thing more want to
say" Gibbs said. He got up and
walked about the little room, Ellen
watching him distressedly. II want
you to remember this, and when you
tell the boy about it, tell him this,
too. I've no reason to lie to you, FL
H., ava ,.,ho& IT,, toIIiv ~ uOy1 7 GOV nc
If / were IA dying man. 1t may be
my last talk with you, and think-I
think Of that, when / say It. / think
of what you have done for me, and Of
what you are to me. By my mothers
memory, Ellen, and by the memory of
the little glrl-we named for her ii
never fred that shot. l never had my
hand on that revolver In my life!"
For a minute she stared at him
without change of expression. Then
he saw an extraordinary look almost
Of madness come into her eyes, and
saw her breast rise with one great
breath. She made an effort TO speak,
with dry lips, and failed, made a sec
ond, and succeeded.
"Gibbs I" she stammered, In a whis-
per- "You-you Her voice failed
her, and she made gesture as If for
air, still clinging tightly to his arm,
which she had grasped when first he
spoke. "You say you didn't" FL
len whispered, with sudden pltiful
trembling of her lips. "But, Gibbs
but, Gibbs-why didn't you tell me so
before?" And suddenly she slipped to
her knees, and he felt her face, stream
ing with tears, pressed against his
hands. ooh, my God, thank Theel"
he heard her sob. "Oh, my God, /
thank Theew
A second later she was upon her
feet, pressing against him as she
clasped his hands, and looked with
wet eyes into his face. She was try
racked her.
You didn't do Tiny darling!" she
said, again and again. you didn't do
i'll always knew that you didntw
"But, Ellen" he said, holding her
tightly, and almost dazed by her
vehemence, you didn't think that
did 1t. dear?"
mo, didn't think sol" she said,
sobbing more quietly, and interrupt
ing herself to laugh, and to press
her wet face against his for one of
her quick kisses. "But, Gibbs. I've
thirsted so to have you tell me just
that--I needed your word to help me |
l felt as If was all alonel Now
now it'll all be so differentl / don't
mind anything, now. T." She
laughed again, broke into quick tears,
and buried her face against his shout
der. "I'm so happy" she sobbed.
'L-l-let me cry, Gibbs. I'm crying be-
cause l feel so much happier"
Abruptly she stopped. A bewildered
look was in her eyes as she drew her
self away from him, and faced him
still holding his arms. She stared
blankly at him for a moment; then
the clear brows met In a puzzled
frown.
Gibbs" she said. in whisper,
who did do it?"