Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/50

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"She clapped her hands.

"‘Oh, you were brave. Now you will not be a hero for nothing, after all, and you did cross the wire.’

"‘A hero for nothing?’ the man questioned.

"‘Yes,’ she said slowly; ‘you see, it was the only way—I had to pretend to be you. They did not see much in the moonlight; I just said the bridge was down, and bade them see to it, then came away. They all think it was you, and you will be a hero when they know how you crossed—and you did cross.’

"‘But they must not think it was me; I will not——’

"‘Oh, but you must.’ Then she said softly, ‘I would not let them think you dared not come… and you are the only one who knows.’

"‘So you came in my place?’ The man turned away in shame.

"‘Never mind,’ she said brightly; ‘the glory is mine. I am your wife, and what you win I win. But let us go. They must not come here to find us.’

"‘But how can we return?’ said the man.

"‘There is only the one way,’ she answered;