nothing. Peter was angry, too, and he
struck you, and if he could have his way he would not want you to die.
I say maybe he is living now. He may not have gone over."

"It's no use, Betty. He went down. I pushed him into that terrible
river. I did it. I--I--I!" Richard only moaned the words in a whisper
of despair, and the horror of it all began to deepen and crush down
upon Betty. She retreated, step by step, until she backed against the
door leading to her chamber, and there she stood gazing at him with
her hand pressed over her lips to keep herself from crying out. Then
she saw him rise and turn toward the door without looking at her
again, his head bowed in grief, and the sight roused her. As the door
closed between them she ran and threw it open and followed him out
into the darkness.

"I can't, Richard. I can't let you go like this!" She clung to him,
sobbing her heart out on his bosom, and he clasped her and held her
warm little body close.

"I'm like a drowning man pulling you under with me. Your tears drown
me. I would not have entered the house if I had not seen you crying.
Never cry again for me, Betty, never."

"I will cry. I tell you I will cry. I will. I don't believe you are a
murderer."

"You must believe it. I am."

"I loved Peter Junior and you loved him. You did not mean to do it."

"I did it."

"If you did it, it is as if I did it, too. We both killed him--and I
am a murderer, too. It was because of me you did it, and if you give
yourself up to be hung, I will give myself up. Poor Peter--Oh,
Richard--I don't believe he fell over." For a long moment she sobbed
thus. "Where are you going, Richard?" she asked, lifting her head.

"I don't know, Betty. I may be taken and can go nowhere."

"Yes, you must go--quick--quick--now. Some one may come and find you
here."

"No one will find me. Cain was a wanderer over the face of the
earth."

"Will you let me know where you are, after you are gone?"

"No, Betty. You must never think of me, nor let me darken your life."

"Then must I live all the rest of the years without even knowing where
you are?"

"Yes, love. Put me out of your life from now on, and it will be enough
for me that you loved me once."

"I will help you atone, Richard. I will try to be brave--and help
Peter's mother to bear it. I will love her for Peter and for you."

"God's blessing on you forever, Betty." He was gone, striding away in
the darkness, and Betty, with trembli