Picture Play Magazine (Oct-Nov 1915)

PICTURE-PLAY WEEKLY 19 Wonderingly, Harry followed Sallie into the drawing-room, and up into her boudoir. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked. . "Ssh !" she cautioned fiercely. "Allen accuses you of murdering his overseer." "What?" cried Harry, in surprise. "What is that?" Sallie repeated her remark. With set jaw, Harry endeavored to reach the door. "Let me out," he cried. "Let me out. I'll smash every bone in his hateful body. It's a plot, a horrible plot, to get me out of the way, so that he can have clear sailing for your hand !" Sallie threw herself on him. "Harry !" she cried softly. "If you love me, listen to me. You don't know the Southerners. If they catch you, they will string you up on a tree without a trial ! My God, you cannot give yourself up !" He struggled to break her hold. "I must," he panted. "I can't stay here in your room. What will they think?" She groaned. "You must, Harry," she said doggedly. A step sounded on the stairs. "Quick, into the closet !" she whispered fearfully. Without a word, she hustled him into the closet, and turned the key. A knock startled her. "Sallie," came her father's voice. She breathed deeply, and smoothed her wrinkled habit. "Just a moment, daddy," she said, as she opened the door. He gazed about the room. "Sallie, have you seen Harry this morning?" "Yes," she gulped, "I saw him this morning, early, but — not since then !" The lie seemed to choke her. "They suspect him of murdering Thompson," he said coldly, "and now he's disappeared. It looks mighty black for him !" He turned on his heel, and disappeared out the door. An instant later she had Harry out before her. "You heard?" she muttered fiercely. "They wouldn't give you a chance. Quick, Harry, if you love me. Get out there on the balcony, and ride for your very life. The horses are directly below !" "You darling!" he cried, gathering her in his arms, and kissing her repeatedly. "I'll do it, for your sake !" Down the pillar he slid, when to his ears came a cry of wild joy, as Allen detected him. In an instant the sheriff's party was on him. Like a madman he fought them off, only to succumb to superior numbers. On the balcony Sallie cried out. On Colonel Taliaferro's face had appeared a stern look. Slowly he went up the stairs, and into Sallie's room. She was seated dejectedly at a little table. "Sallie," he thundered, placing a pistol on the table. "You have put a blot on the shield. Only one thing will wipe it out. There is the means to do it !" There was no softness in his tone — he was grim and determined. "Father," she cried passionately, rising and stretching forth her hands pleadingly. "Not a word," he snapped. "Do as I ask. There, shall be no blot on that shield !" He turned and walked slowly out of the room. With heaving breast, Sallie contemplated the pistol. "And he wouldn't hear me !" she wailed. "He wouldn't listen !" She sobbed in her terror. Downstairs the colonel confronted Harry. "You dog," he grated, striding threateningly to him. Two strangers had entered behind the sheriff. Harry looked up calmly. "What do you mean?" he asked. The colonel raised his clenched fist. "Be careful — that's all," was Harry's only response. The fist fell, and the colonel retreated a step. "You dog, to take advantage of an innocent girl !" "It's a lie," cried Harry, tugging at his bonds. "A horrible " The two strangers stepped forward. One was a much-whiskered man of English caste. "Harry!" he said joyously. "Harry, I have searched all over for you." "Mr. Higgins !" cried Harry. "What are you doing here?" "I have come to tell you that you are now the Earl of Harcourt. Your brother died three months ago ! Here, you bobbies, remove those bally ropes !" With a glad cry, Harry stepped forward. Colonel Taliaferro fell back, a blanched look on his face. "My God !" he cried. "Sallie will shoot herself!" With a bound he was at the steps, Harry following. Through the door burst Harry, and at the mere sight of him she lowered the revolver. "Sallie !" he cried. "I told you that it was all a mistake. It has been righted. Come." With tears in her eyes, she snuggled closer to him. The colonel bowed his head. "Forgive me, Sallie," he mumbled; "forgive me, please ; I should not have doubted you !" Through the tears of happiness, Sallie kissed first Harry, and then her shamed father. "It is all right, daddy," she said. "There is no stain on the shield !" "And never will be, sir," said Harry, as he drew her to him. A Reminder. Hurry! You'll worry If you're not on hand At your local news stand On the first of December, Which we hope you'll remember Is the date When the great New PICTURE-PLAY MAGAZINE gets under way; For with features elsewhere told In this copy that you hold, Can you doubt : "All sold out !" Is what you'll hear, Far and near, When you try To buy The magazine Of the screen That of all the rest Is the best? So if you'd not be left, And find yourself bereft Of a treat, Be wise, and meet The date with a dime, Right on time, For the new Magazine that's made for you. Hurry ! — Put it on your list — Or you'll worry Over what you've missed.