A HEART LAID BARE.
It was the truth at last. His heart leaped madly. But when he reached for her she started back.
"Don't touch me!" came huskily from her lips. "You must not!"
"Mustn't?"
"No."
"Why, Bessie, I still——"
"You can't forget that I am the child of a cattle thief—a criminal!"
"That's not your fault, little girl. I can forget it. I have forgotten it."
"It's impossible," she declared, shaking her head.
"Such talk is folly, Bessie. Your father's misdeeds should not blight your life. I will not have it so! You were innocent."