Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/328

 The tall lithe form trembling with fury towered above Stella's shivering little figure.

"Susie, you are mistaken," she faltered. "Come into the library a moment and I'll convince you that you are wrong."

She seized Susie's hand and led her into the library, sinking again into a chair.

"See, here is a mortgage for ten thousand dollars on this house which I've prepared to raise the money for two great lawyers from the North who are coming to defend him."

"From the North?"

"Yes."

"You mean to convict him," Susie cried. "Another shrewd trick you are playing. Your lawyers will gain his confidence, learn his secrets, betray and send him to his death. But, I'll warn him!"

"Susie, you can't believe this of me! The pledging of this house is the first great act of self-sacrifice of my life. The joy of it has been a sweet revelation to me. You must hear me when I tell you that I love him with passionate devotion. I'd give my life for him if I could!"

"And yet you brought Ackerman here and hounded him for three months until at last he lies in a filthy jail with the shadow of death over him—and you call this love?"