The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-11-01
wNU Service
CHAPTER XIV-Continued

the doing and I'm sorry and ashamed
for It. But | tell you, ArhOl-thats
all AS Gods my witness. I've done
think NE us low as that? | did what
/ did for my very love for you. for
your nunOr's sake. | asked heT here
that you might see what she was
but THAT'S all. | swear il She's been
as safe as if in a cage of STEEL"
Il know it," said; Il know II.
You don't need TO tell ME that You
brought her here to expnSe her. to
show me what a fool | was. IL didn't
matter how much il hurt ME, the
more the better, anything TO save the
name You would have broken my
your accursed pride. Oh, | can see
plainly nowl There's a thousand
years Of prejudice and bigotry con
centrated in you. Thank God, have
a human heart !"
Il Thought / was acting for the
best !" he cried.
Il know it-accOrding to your
lights. You asked her here that
Nigh: see what she was. You tell
me you have gained her love; you say
she came here at your bidding; you
swear she would have been unfaithful
to me Well, tell you. brother OF
mine. in your teeth tell you-I don't
believe you"
Suddenly the little, dropping figure
on the chair had raised itself; the
white, wOe-begOne face with the wide
staring eyes was turned toward me:
the pitifuI look had gone, and in ITS
stead was one of wild, unspeakable
JOY. .e. ~
Its all right, Berna," 1 said; -
don't believe him. and if a million
others were to say the same, If they
were 10 thunder il in my ears down
all eternity, would tell them they
lied, they lied!"
a heaven-lit radiance was in the
gray eyes She made as if to come
10 me. but she swayed, and I caughi
her in my arms.
Don't be frightened, little girl.
Give ME your hand. Seel I'll kiss
it, dear. Now, don't cry; don't
honey"
Her arms were around me. She
chung to me ever SO tightly.
Garry" ] said, this is my wife.
When ] have lost my belief in all
else, will believe in her. You have
made US both suffer. AS for whar
you've said-yOure mistaken. She's
a good, good girl will not neIieve
that by thought. word or deed she
has been untrue to me. She will ex-
plain everything. Now. good-by
Come. Berna"
Suddenly she stopped me. Her
hand was on my arm, and she turned
toward Garry. She held herself as
proudly as queen.
81 want to explain now" she said.
before you both"
She pulled from her bosom a little
crumpIed note. and handed II to me.
Then, as | read it, great light burst
on me. Here il was:
"Dear Berna:
For heavens sake be on your
guard. Jack LOcasto is on his way
north again. ! think he's crazy. !
know he'll stick at nothing, and I
don't want TO see blood split. For
your sake. and for the sake of one
dear to you, be warned
"ln haste,
"VioIa Lennon"
81 got it two days ago." she said.
"0h, I've been distracted with fear
l did not like TO show il to you. I've
brought you nothing but trouble, and
I've never spoken of him. never once
You understand. don't you?"
"Yes. little girl, ! understand"
Il wanted to save you. no matter
at what cost Tonight ! tried TO pre-
vent you going out there. for ! feared
you might meet him. knew he was
very near. Then, when you had gone
my fear grew and grew. There ! sat.
thinking over everything. Oh If
only had friend. Thought: some
one to help me. Then. as | sat. dazed
distracted. the phone rang. Ii was
your brother"
"Yes. go on. dear"
He told me be wanted to see me
he begged me TO come at once.
thought of you, of your danger. of
some terrible mishap. ] was terrified
l went"
She paused moment. as If the re-
cital was infinitely painful TO her.
then she went on.
IL found my way to his room. Ny
mind was full of you, of that man.
of how TO save you. | did not think
of my self, of my position Ar first
] was too agitated 70 speak. He hade
me SIT down, compose myself. His
manner was quiet, grave. Again .
feared for you. he asked me TO ex-
cuse hin for a moment, and left the
room. He seemed TO be gone an age.
while SAT there, trying TO fight down
my terror. The suspense was killing
me. Then he came back. He closed
and locked the door. All at once
heard step outside, knock. Hush
go in there he said. he opened the
door. I heard him speaking to some
one. l waited. then you burst In on
me You know the rest"
Yes, yes"
AS for your brother, I've tried. oh.
so hard, TO be nice to hina for your
sake. liked him; wanted to be
to him as sister, but never an un-