Page:Fletcher--Where Highways Cross.djvu/212

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
192
Where Highways Cross

Elisabeth. "Let your husband come with me for a minute—I must speak to him."

The two men went into the hut. Once inside Hepworth turned to Verrell.

"You were going to tell your wife that you were not innocent?" he said.

"Yes," said Verrell.

"Don't tell her," said Hepworth. "She believes in you—let her continue to believe. No one will ever be able to persuade her to the contrary. Only," here he laid his hand on the young man's shoulder, "promise me to live worthy of her!"

"I will—God help me!" said Verrell.

"Now listen," continued Hepworth. "I have thought things over for you. Here is money in this pocket-book; take it, man, take it!—there is a train leaves Sicaster in an hour for Liverpool, and you must catch it. Go by the first ship to America—do what you can there—if you ever want help, write to me."

"God bless you!" said Verrell.