Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-04

WITHIN MS snug closet, Whlth-
er he conducted her, the
wv governor considerably de-
sired Mistress Danvelt to sit
and would have relieved her
of her cloak, but that she chung to the
garment, urging that her business was
brief. Abruptly she came to it. They
had brought her word of tina sentence
passed that day upon her husband.
Your distress moves me profoundly"
he said slowly. Il did not think that
1t could mean so much to you"
You did not think" She was
between surprise and indignation.
What cause did you give me to
think it? I placed Danvelt's life in
your hands. Did not offer to set him
free at little word from you? Be
fore the trial, it would have been so
easy. Now!' He hunched his
shoulders, paused, and then re-
sumed: And since you haven't chosen
to speak, what was to suppose? Why,
that, like so many wives, you would
count yourself well rid of an importu-
nate husband"
She looked up into that handsomely
dorid countenance.
This is noble" she said. at is gen.
erous to mock an unfortunate woman
in the hour of her affection"
II do not mock" he assured her in
words which his very glance belied.
eff it is not as I have supposed, why
did you not come before?"
Because, knowing him innocent,
did not believe it possible you could
find him guilty I waited confidently
for his trial; for I believed that in the
dukes Judgment seat you dealt in jus
tice: that you would not dare to deal
in anything else
You we're right. I have dealt in
nothing else"
CLOSE upon 20 witnesses waited to
testify. They were brought here in
answer to my appeal and you were in
formed Of it. They could have proved
beyond question that my husband did
not write the letter upon which you
arraigned him. Yet those witnesses
were denied hearing"
ITO have heard them would but have
wasted time. The evidence of your hus-
bands guilt was completed He con-
feSSed his treason; and he set his sig
nature to the confession, which was
written down in measure as he ut
tered it."
This was a blow between the eyes to
her. Her anger was shouldered out
by dismay and growing terror.
"ConfeSsed?" she echoed. He con-
fessed, you say? What did he confess?"
That he had written the letter upon
which I impeached him; that he had
supplied arms and money to equip
the rebels
But that is not true!" she walled
ITS not true! How, then, could he
confess it?"
ter than you, mistress" RhynSault
now affected a tone of regret. "All
that you can say is that he never took
you into his confidence in the matter
It is not likely that he would have
done so. Shrewd men do not tell
secrets to their womenfolk-especially
secrets that will put rope about their
necks."
But I was not alone in my belief,
in my knowledge" she answered, bat
ting desperately against the odds that
were suddenly heaped against her. THE
letter was not in his hand. Twenty of
the witnesses could have sworn to that
II he confessed" She broke of.
Suddenly she saw the explanation, and
cried out in horror, you tortured
him!"
Still half-sitting on the tables edge,
he watched her with those smoldering
eyes, the ghost of a smile about his
lips. Then he reached forth, and set
a hand upon her shoulder. He spoke
very softly, in tone of gentle remon-
STRANGE.
1T was in your power to save him"
he reminded her; and added, after a
moments pause: For that matter, it
still is. The hand that signed the
death warrant can sign the reprieVe
If you have come to speak the little
word begged of you, you have not
come In vain.'
rs there no pity in you?" she cried.
els there no fear either of man or
God in your dark soul? What do you
look to gain by sending my husband to
his death? Nothing nothing, nothing
What shall it profit you to leave me
widowed? What satisfaction shall VOL