yourself. If this man would steal money, what difference would your
love make to him? He would be as unfaithful to you as he has been to his
trust in the bank. You must consider yourself--you must give him up; you
can't link your young, beautiful life to a man who is only saved from
the penitentiary because of your influence."

"Don't talk that way, Mr. Crane, please don't. I know you think that
what you say is right, but what difference does it all make to me? You
know what love is like, you say it has come to you now. My heart tells
me that Mortimer is guiltless. The time has been so short that he has
had no chance to clear himself. If I didn't believe in him I wouldn't
love him; but I still love him, and so I believe in him. I can't help
it--I don't want to help it; I simply go on having faith in him, and my
love doesn't falter. Can't you understand what a terrible thing it would
be even if I were to consent to become your wife? I know it would please
my mother. But if afterward this other man was found to be innocent,
wouldn't your life be embittered--wouldn't it be terrible for you to be
tied to a woman who loved another man?"

"But it is impossible that he is innocent, or will ever be thought so."

"And I know that he is innocent."

"Your judgment must tell you that this is only fancy."

"My heart tells me that he is not guilty of this crime. My heart is
still true to him; so, shall I decide against myself? Don't--don't stab
me to death with words of Mortimer's guilt; it has no effect, and only
gives me pain. I must wait--we must all wait, just wait. There is no
harm in waiting, the truth will come out at last. But you will keep your
promise?" she said, lifting her eyes to his face.

"Yes, I meant no harm to Mortimer in searching for this evidence; it was
only to clear your brother."

They had come to the station by now.

"Would you like to speak to Mr. Farrell?" Crane asked. "You are taking
my word."

"No, it is useless. I can do nothing but wait; that I can and will do."

"Don't think me cruel," Crane said, "but the wait will be so long."

"It may be forever, but I will wait. And I thank you again for your--for
your goodness to me. I'm sorry that I've given you trouble. If you
can--if you can--make it easier for Mortimer--I know he'll feel it
if you could make him think that you didn't altogether believe him
as--dishonest--will you, for my sake?"

It was generally supposed that Crane's heart had bee