Pagina 167 di 439

For a moment all of them were silent. Each of them was thinking

of the fellow and the horrible trail of blood he had left behind

him in one short week. Margaret looked at her lover and

shuddered. She had not the least doubt that this man sitting

opposite them would bring the criminal back to his punishment,

but the sinister grotesque shadow of the convict seemed to fall

between her and her happiness.

Larry caught her hand under the table and gave it a little

pressure of reassurance. He spoke in a low voice. "This hasn't a

thing to do with us, Peggy--not a thing. They were already both

out of your life."

"Yes, I know, but--"

"There aren't any buts." He smiled warmly, and his smile took the

other man into their confidence. "You've been having a nightmare.

That's past. See the sunshine on those hills. It's bright

mo'ning, girl. A new day for you and for me."