The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-12-05

into bitter sobbing. He put his 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 l have chance"
They sat down on the bed. side by
side, and he locked his arm about her.
zone thing l want to say is this"
Gibbs said, slowly, II wasn't good
husband TO you, the last year. but II
was only that l was fool, Ellen.
never was untrue to you even in my
thoughts"
81 know ftp she said ferventy,
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 along 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 Il 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
len. and what I'm telling you l say as
If l were IA dying man. 1t may be
my last talk with you, and | think
think of that, when ! say it. l 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 girl-we named for her II
never fred that shot. never had my
hand on that revolver in my lifei"
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 sec
ond, and succeeded.
"Gibbs !" she stammered, in a whis-
per. "You-youi" Her voice failed
her. and she made a 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 a sudden pitiful
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. "Oh, my God, l thank Thee 7"
he heard her sob. "Oh. my God, Il |
thank Theel'
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
ing to laugh through the sobs that
racked her.
you didn't do it-my darlingl" she
said, again and again. "You didn't do
tt always knew that you ddn'tw
But, Ellen" he said. holding her
lightly. and almost dazed by her
yehemence, you didn't think that /
lid 1t. dearT
mo, / didn't think ol'' she said,
iobbing more quietly. and interrupt
ng herself to laugh. and to press
Ter wet face against his for one of
Ter quick kisses. But. Gibbs. I've
hirsted so to have you tell me just
hat-I needed your word to help me
felt as ifqI was all alone Now
low it'll all be so differentl | don't
mind anything, now. +" She
aughed again. broke into quick tears
nd buried her face against his shout
er. 'T'm so happy" she sobbed.
L-l-let me cry, Gibbs. I'm crying be-
ause / feel so much happierI'
Abruptly she stopped. A bewildered
,ok was in her eyes as she drew her
elf away from him, and faced him
till holding his arms. She stared
lankly at him for a moment; then
ne clear brows met in a puzzled
own.
Gibbs" she said. in whisper,
who did do it?"