Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 130: what you’re looking at

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600 “That’s all right,” said Dr. Welland awkwardly, and he departed hurriedly—a little awkwardly—his heart leaping. And there were tears in his eyes as he confided to Mrs. Welland that he had attended Miss Kendall and felt that he had really made good. And that was before the whole truth was out, too—before it was discovered how near death she really was. But Mrs. Wel- land had got over being surprised at his miracles. If he had made the dead to walk it would have been no surprise to her. The part of it that concerned her always was the fee. She supposed, in this instance, that it would be something handsome, ow- ing to the Kendall millions, and she forth- with began to spend it—in her mind. But she did not lavish it on diamonds or pearls as some wives might have done. It all went for new rugs and a lamp and some glass- ware that she needed badly. She was, you see, worth the sacrifice that Welland had made for her. As the doctor departed, Garry looked Significantly toward the cloak-room maid, who seemed disposed to linger. “T don’t think you need wait any long- er, thank you,” he said. And he took the liberty of slipping her a good-sized bill. “Thank you, sir,” said,she. “ But I don’t feel I ought to take this, seeing as I’d have to tell the truth if they put me on the stand and say I saw Miss Kendall come out of the room and all!” “JT want you to tell the truth! Don’t for an instant imagine that I would attempt to induce you to do otherwise,” said Garry. “As for the money—it is merely a small acknowledgment of our indebtedness to you for your kindness during Miss Kendall's faint.” “Oh, in that case, I’m sure I’m much obliged, sir,” said the woman, and tucking the bill into hér pocket, vanished. Garry looked at Katherine. “ Are you stronger?” he asked. “ Strong enough to leave this place with me now?” “Can we leave it?” she asked tremu- lously. . ce Yes! 3) “You mean they’re convinced that it wasn’t I who—who killed him?” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “No, unfortunately, I don’t quite mean that! I simply mean,” said Garry, “ that the whole thing is still a hopeless muddle; but J believe in you, and I’m going to take you away—out of it—until it’s cleared up! They might try to hold you! They might try to imprison you! And I won't have it! Later on, if they want you to come back and stand trial, I’ll produce you! But the best detectives and lawyers we can get will have the case in hand before then. In the meantime—we’re going to Italy!”’ “To Italy?” gasped Katherine, wide- eyed. ‘‘ You and I?” “Tf you will go with me,” he said. “TI have already got the tickets and the cabin de luxe. The steamer sails at dawn. Will you marry me and come?” CHAPTER XXXIV. “YOU WERE THE WOMAN I LOVED.” ARLIER in the evening, when Napo- leon had produced the tickets to Italy that he had been sent to procure for Da Costa, Garry had taken them in order to examine them more closely, and they were still in his pocket. His hand had rest- ed on them accidentally as he was talking to Katherine, and suddenly, and very sim- ply, the question of their flight was settled. They could be married and off for Italy before any one knew. Napoleon had al- ready arranged for the sailing—under other names. And the steamship authorities would never discover that he and Katherine were not the friends for whom Napoleon had so graciously obtained accommoda- tions. “ Well?” he asked, gazing straight down into her troubled eyes. “ Will you?” She caught her breath sharply. “ You'd trust me enough for //ai?”’ she asked. ‘‘ You love me enough to believe in me in spite of all the evidence—to make yourself an outcast for my sake—to defy the law?” He smiled. ‘“* My dear,” he said simply, “ I love you with all my heart, and with all my strength, and with all my soul. No one was ever loved more.” Gomichbooks com