"
"But do you believe me guilty?"
"Are you guilty? Tell me truly," she cried, suddenly, looking up into his
haggard face in a way that thrilled him to the quick.
"Will you believe me if I swear--"
"No, no, do not mar your word with an oath, August," she interrupted,
quickly. "I will believe you without that."
"May Heaven bless you, Rose," he cried, in a relieved tone. "I am as
innocent as you are of that murder."
"Then go. Do not be found here another minute. The evidence will convict
you, and I do not wish to see you die."
She pushed him from her with a trembling hand.
"One kiss, darling."
She would have been less than human and a woman, had she refused, with
her heart all seething with conflicting emotion on account of the love
she bore this man, that would not down even when she knew him guilty of
deception and fraud--perhaps of murder.
He bent and imprinted a kiss upon her cold cheek, held her hand a moment
in a hot clasp, then turned to go.
A step sounded near.
Someone was approaching.
"Go! while it is yet time," urged the maiden in a thrilling whisper.
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