ly, a few words striving to remind her of her own admission. Nothing, indeed, could take the sting o

y hands held out deprecating her wrath, and her

nces, misdeeds, call them as you please, are not absolutely unpardonable; in

case," I replied gently. "You kn

. "I can tell you nothing, I am not called upon to do it indeed. We are absolute s

ed and shall no

e best construction on what you have heard, to

nce in you, that I may trust you, some day, to enlighte

intent scrutiny, she shook her head. "No, it cannot be, not yet. You must earn the right to my confidence, you must prove to me that you

I was ready to be her slave wit

me all or nothing. If the first I will help you, if the

that more than repaid me, and stifled the doubts and qualms that still opp

yours to command. Do wi

eless, white and warm, and it lay in mine just a second whi

efend and protect me in my present undertaking. The way is by no means clear. I cannot foresee what may hap

y sign of wavering, but I showed none,

and, in a firm assured voice, added, "You have

I no longer feel quite alone and unprotected. If trouble a

e it?" I asked innocently enough. "

up a warn

me no questions, please, but wait on events. For the present y

I trust," I pleaded, a

by?" she proposed with charming frankness, in the lighter mood that sat so well upo

t be chaperon at a

be in charge always. Who knows what might happen when our backs were turned? We

. If only I might be allowed to-" know more, I would ha

itary term? Become one of us, belong to a gang of thieves, liable like the res

lty by the way, but I'm afraid I must draw the line at active partnership," I answered a

not expect unhesitating self-sacrifice? So be it; it is well to know how far I may go. I sincerely hope I may have no need of you at all. H

t did I know of her real character? What of my first doubts and suspicions? She had by no means dispelled them. She had only bamboozled me by her insinuating ways, had drawn me on by her guileful cleverness to pit

ing in my ears, I felt the haunting glamour of her eyes, remembered her gracious presence, and my heart went out to her. I was so sorry for her: how could I cast her off? How could I withhold my countenance if she were in real distress? She was a woman-a weak, helpless woman; I could not desert and abandon her. Howev

My kindly intentions, bred of my latest sentiments