Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 131: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LIBERATION. ~~ attempting to escape. If Hill were not the forger, he knew who was; why should George Lorrin protect him against his own honor, his mother’s relief from the long years of mental torture and disgrace? Surely no friendship was worth such a sacrifice—could it be something more than friendship, more than self, more than filial love? “Mr. Lorrin,” she said gently, “ you say that you cannot explain, but will you an- swer one question? I shall ask nothing more. You say that it would do a great injury to have the truth known. Would it be to you or to some one else?” “To me through some one else, Miss Mary,” he replied. ‘‘ Through an innocent person who would suffer more than I have, more than I should if I were taken back to-night. I didn’t mean to tell you, but I see I must try to make you understand; it’s your right, after all you’ve done to help me.” . “And your mother; she is innocent of any wrong. Would this other person’s suf- fering be worse than hers?” Mary forgot ther promise, forgot every- thing except the dull, hopeless pain that had clutched at her heart. There could be only one person in all the world for whom a man would make such a sacrifice, and she must know. Lorrin turned and walked to the window, where he stood well back behind the screen- ing curtain which Susan had hung there, his head bowed. Mary thought she saw his shoulders heave once, but when he turned to her again his face bore no trace of emo- tion. ‘Tf my mother knew of my decision and the motive which actuated it, she would be the first to tell me that I had taken the right course,” he said with simple dignity. “ Indeed, Miss Mary, I have no other. The innocent person who would suffer most is— very dear to me.” Mechanically, Mary rose from her chair. All sense, all feeling, seemed to have left her except the desire to get away—to fly from his presence. It was ended. There was nothing more to be said. He must make this monstrous sacrifice, and she could only stand aside. 765 “T understand.” Her tone was dull and lifeless. “I didn’t before, but it must be as you wish, of course. There remains only to get you away as quickly and far as we can; only—it would be very dreadful, a tragedy, if you might be mistaken, after all. You’re very sure this step is neces- sary?” “ Very sure. I wish with all my soul that there could be a possibility of a mistake, but there isn’t.” His drawn lips quivered with the tensity of the white lines about them. “Does this person who is dear to you know the truth and the stand you have taken?” She lifted her eyes to his, and he shook his head. “No one must ever know.” “Do you think it is fair to make any one unknowingly accept such a hideous sac- rifice?” “Tt is the only thing that I can do,” he responded quietly. “I have no alterna- tive.” “Then arrangements shall be made for you to go as soon as it is safe.” Somehow Mary managed to advance a step or two to- ward him and hold out her hand. ‘ There is no need in running unnecessary risks, and you may have to be patient for a little while longer; but we shall contrive somehow to get you far away. Susan will come to you in an hour or so.” She felt his hand clasp hers in gratitude, heard his stammered thanks, and then somehow she was alone out in the leafy green of the grove groping blindly as she made her way between the trees, careless for once if she were seen or not. This woman who was dear to him, had she a brother or father who had committed the forgery, in whose stead George Lorrin must continue to suffer in this mad, quixotic idea of self-sacrifice? He and Richard Hill had been at least office acquaintances; had Hill a sister? “What difference did it make? How he must love her, this other woman! Would ghe ever know the greatness of what he had done? Nils had gone to the greenhouses, and Mary wandered into the house, hearing her mother’s voice on the veranda, but encoun- tered no one as she made her way to her oO (S@) COMmmicoookKks