Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/324

 "The lawyer whom you engage for me must take all their cases. I'll stand or fall with my people."

"Yes, I understand."

Stella hurried home with her soul in a tumult of conflicting purposes. She felt it yet too dangerous to confess the dual role she had played; yet with each hour's startling events the agony of fear lest he discover her betrayal became more and more intense.

One thing she could do at once. She would make the cause of his men her own, she would make her ministry of love so tender and unselfish, her sacrifices so generous he must hear her plea when the awful moment of her confession should come.

She had just given Aunt Julie Ann orders to prepare three meals each day for every man in jail with John, and was about to start for the garden to cut more flowers, when Maggie ushered Susie Wilson into the hall.

"I'm so glad you've come," Stella cried. "I was just going to ask you and your mother to help us make those men comfortable who have been put in jail. Mr. Graham was sure you would join me."

Susie stared at Stella for a moment and slowly said: