FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   >>  
ou, hasn't he?" Effie nodded. "Then I needn't go over it. Let's talk of something else. How is mother?" "She is very ill indeed--she watched for you all the evening." "Watched for me? But I told her I shouldn't be back to-night." "Yes; but she didn't believe you, or she forgot it--anyhow, she watched for you, and when you didn't come, her mind began suddenly to wander; she is in bed now--she is very, very ill." "Go on," said George; "hammer it in hard--I deserve it all." "Oh, George, why will you talk like that? Don't you believe in my love for you?" "I believe in mother's love. It's the only thing I have left to cling to. I believe she'd go on loving me even after this--I do truly." "Of course she would--nothing could turn her love from you. Now, won't you let us consult together when Mr. Lawson comes into the room?" "There's nothing to be done--nothing; I'm perfectly safe to be committed for trial, and then I shall get at least two years. Mother will die. And I shall have gone under forever." "Nonsense! I have a thought in my head." "You?" George spoke with almost contempt. "You always thought a great deal of yourself, Effie, but even you can't pull the ropes on the present occasion. I'm a thief, and I must suffer the penalty. That's the long and short of it." Effie rose suddenly and walked to the door. She called Lawson--he came in at once. "I think George will talk over matters now," she said. "But before we begin any discussion, I wish to say what I have made up my mind to do. I don't know Mr. Gering, but that does not matter. I mean to go to see him the first thing to-morrow morning, and beg of him not to prosecute George. That is the only chance for mother's life, and I mean to try it." CHAPTER XXII. When Effie said these words, Lawson gave her a startled glance, and George's sulkiness seemed to vanish magically. He opened his lips as if to speak, then closed them again; a rush of color spread over his face, and he turned his head aside. "I fear it is impossible that you can do the least vestige of good, Miss Staunton," said Lawson. "All the same it is a brave thought, and worthy of you." George looked round when Lawson said this; he fully expected Effie to explain herself more fully, to argue the point, and to give her reasons for approaching Mr. Gering. To the surprise of both the men, however, she was silent. After a little pause, she said, turning to Lawson:
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   >>  



Top keywords:
George
 

Lawson

 

thought

 

mother

 

Gering

 
watched
 
suddenly
 

morning

 
morrow
 

CHAPTER


surprise

 

chance

 
prosecute
 

matter

 
discussion
 

turning

 
matters
 
silent
 

glance

 

explain


spread

 

turned

 

impossible

 

expected

 

looked

 

Staunton

 

vestige

 

approaching

 

vanish

 

magically


sulkiness

 
startled
 

worthy

 

opened

 

closed

 
reasons
 

deserve

 
hammer
 

loving

 
wander

nodded
 

evening

 
Watched
 
forgot
 

shouldn

 

contempt

 
present
 

occasion

 
walked
 

penalty