ll my martyrdom, must I lose the one hope that sustained me?"

Despite the rage which the sight of her suffering woke within his
heart, he could not endure to witness it.

"Can you find no comfort in release? No joy in the consciousness of
your triumphant vindication?"

"None! If you have robbed me of that which is all I care for on earth,
what solace can I find in release? Vindication? What is the opinion of
the world to me? Oh! how have I ever wronged you, that you persecute me
so vindictively, that you stab the only comfort life can ever hold for
me?"

"And you love him so insanely, that to secure his safety, existence
here in this moral sty is sweet in comparison with freedom unshared
with him? Listen! That belief stirs the worst elements in my nature; it
swings the whip of the furies. For your own sake, do not thrust your
degrading madness upon my notice. I have labored to liberate you; have
subordinated all other aims to this, and now, that I have come to set
you free, you repulse and spurn me!"

She was so engrossed by one foreboding, that it was evident she had not
even heard him, as moving to the bench in front of the window she sat
down, shivering. Her black brows contracted till they met, and the
strained expression of her eyes told that she was revolving some
possibility of succor.

"Where did you see my--my--?"

"Not in Dakota mines, where I expected to find him."

"Mr. Dunbar." She pointed to the chair at her side.

He shook his head, but approached and stood before her.

"I am waiting to hear you."

"I sent you a telegram, promising information that would have prevented
that journey."

"It failed to reach me."

Unconsciously she was wringing her hands as her thoughts whirled.

"I will tell you something now, if you will promise me that no harm
shall--"

He laughed scornfully.

"As if I had anything to learn concerning that cowardly villain! Thanks
for your confidence, which comes much too late."

"You do not know that--"

"Yes, I know all I want to know; more than you shall ever tell me, and
I decline to hear a confession that, in my eyes, defiles you; that
would only drive me to harsh denunciation of your foul idol. Moreover,
I will not extort by torture what you have withheld so jealously. Do
not wring your hands so desperately. You are goaded to confession now,
because you believe that I have secured your lover? Take courage, he
has not yet been arrested; he is still a wanderer