Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

766 room and flung herself face downward on the bed. The possibility of there being some one he cared for when Mrs. Lorrin first mentioned an errand he had asked her to perform for him came back to Mary now with the knowledge that it had been indeed a premonition. She had accepted it then as a matter with which she had no right to concern herself, knowing that with his vindication their lives must necessarily lie far apart, for even if he might have cared for her she was irrevoca- bly bound to another man. Now, however, that the woman he held dear must be the unconscious caus€ of his continuing to bear this burden of shame and disgrace, Mary felt a hot tide of resentment rising within her. If this unknown were worthy of such love she would not permit this terrible, unjust thing—unjust to her as well as to him. Would his mother, would Mary herself, be right in permitting this sacrifice to be con- summated? If they succeeded in obtaining the proof that would clear him, dare they in justice withhold that knowledge from the world? Mary rose as this thought came to her and paced the floor in an agony of inde- cision. No attempt to analyze her feelings, no idea of petty jealousy entered her pure, conscientious mind. Was it fair to any one that he should remain under such a cloud for the rest of his life? Her whole spirit revolted against it, and gradually the resolution formed that even against his will, his very knowledge, she must go on with the case. She would keep her word, and arrange to get him safely away, but she had made no other promise; and wherever he might be, she would keep on working until she learned the truth. He had said that his mother would approve of his course, but Mary determined: to take the proof of his innocence to her when she hdd learned it, and leave it to her to decide. ‘This reso- lution of George Lorrin’s was born of a sick, distorted brain, and he must be.saved in spite of himself. Fired with the strength of her determi- nation, Mary managed to dress and ap- peared at dinner, flushed and more animated “~~ ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. than she had been for days. She saw the re- lief in her mother’s face, the lines of worry © relax on her father’s brow, and when after the meal was concluded and the former re- marked tentatively that perhaps they might go to the bridge game at the Rathbun’s, after all, she saw them off with contrite tenderness. They too had suffered in the mystery she was compelled to maintain, but when it was all over, how she would make it up to them! All her life she would devote to their happiness—that, at least, was left to her. “Praise the saints!” a voice muttered behind her as she turned from the door to return to the library. “ ’Tis well they’ve gone, Miss Mary, for you’ve another vis- itor, and if you want me to get rid of him, just say the wor-rd!” “Another visitor, Susan?” Mary asked in surprise, her heart beating rapidly with apprehension. Who else should come to her by stealth? “Yes, and who but that young man you give the go-by to, that Mr. King!” Susan snorted with indignation. ‘“ The imper’ence of him! He’s waiting out under the pergola this very minute afther coming to me as bould as a lion, and he says he'll not go till he sees you! I let him see plain he was not wanted around here, but he says you’re the best judge of that. Will I call Nils and have him sent about his business?” ‘No, Susan.” Mary shook her head. ‘There is something I want to see Mr. King about, and I’m glad he came. You are to say nothing of his visit to any one, of course. I can trust you?” ‘““T wish you couldn’t!” Susan retorted fervently. ‘ He’s two-faced, for all his smiling ways, Miss Mary, and I was think- ing we was well rid of him. You'll be com- ing in soon?” Mary reassured the old nurse’s solicitude and went slowiy out to the pergola. What could he want of her? Surely their conversation had been final enough that af- ternoon. As he himself said, they had come to an impasse; what more could be said be- tween them? At the flutter of her light gown in the fast-deepening dusk a dark figure rose from the seat under the pergola, and she saw oO Ghbooks (S@ com