CHAPTER IV. tCoiitinued.)
"Of course I might have m-on the ridic
ulousness of the whole affair at one.
Fancy my being jealous of the Colonel!
Ha, ha, har
At the sound of hia rough merriment
Jane winced, and held up biT hand.
"1 cannot bear any more Dow," she ex-
elnimed. in a shrill voice that atartled
herM-lf as much as it did him.
"You are in pain?"
"Yea, 1 am in pain," she answered,
truthfully, though just then she had
bo thought of her broken arm.
He took her band in his to say "good
by." Some idea had been in bis mind
of a warmer farewell, but he bad never
kissed her yet, and the pale, pnud face
he turned toward him was no etu-oiir
agemeut to begin. Then somewhat shame
facedly he withdrew.
The interview had not been a success
ful one, he felt. He had wounded her
and frightened her by the bruaqneuess
f his wdys and speech, and had won
from her no ratification of her former
promise. It 'struck him ruefully that he
must have lost the ktiurk of wooing a
pretty girl that his tongue had forgotten
its ancient cunning.
His conclusions were correct. Jane
had thought him more boorish than she
Imd known him to be before, and more
than ever regretted that she had not lis
tened to her mother's warning.
CIIAITEK V.
Mrs. Iene bad been very constant In
her visits to Jane during her convales
cence. Independently of hir desire to
gratify the Colonel by showitig his pro
tege any kindness in her power, she liked
I tie girl tor tier own sake, ana was zeal
ous for her social success.
"You are so pretty you are sure to
please," she told her candidly one day.
"Don't you think" hesitatingly "that
.it is rather vulgar to lie pretty?"
"If so, it is a vulgarity that many
"would lie glad to share" laughing.
"Very likely, but that does not alter the '
fact. In England they say every milk- ,
maid and fisher-girl you meet has a trim
figure and pretty face. Good looks are j
inly another name for good health. Now, j
to be well educated "
"You arc an well educated as many of I
the women who move in good society, and )
yon have very charming manners, which
you will ami more uselul still. hat else
do you want
"l wish I could dress as well as you,"
vomplained Jane, who, like a very wom
an, was inclined to set a high value upon
that branch of feminine industry.
She sat now smoothing down the folds
of her pale-blue gown, and pondering
what had been said; and as Mrs. Dene
watched her in some amusement, trying
to divine her thonghts, she saw her hands
meet suddenly in a tight clasp, and a
warm blush nuilnse her face. Curimis
as to who or what could have caused this
agitation, Mrs. Dene turned her head
sharply, and to her surprise saw Colonel
Priuaep standing in the veranda behind
her.
Tbe Colonel met her unconsciously
scornful glance with a defiant if some
what enilinrrassed gaze; but, though he
took her hand in greeting, he addressed
himself exclusively to Jane.
"I came to ask if you were better," be
said.
"You are always so thought f til," mur
mured Mrs. Dene, with niaiicious sweet
ness. "I am quite well now, thank you," an
swered unsuspecting Jane.
She would have been aghast had she
known that the love of which she was
herself scarcely aware bad been so eas
ily discovered. As it was, she went on
talking so calmly that the Colonel felt
ashamed of his own want of self-possession,
and exerted himself to join in the
conversation. But in Bpite of every effort
be felt disconcerted still, and rose very
won to go.
A little to his dismay, Sirs. Dene ex
pressed her intention of accompanying
him.
"Would it be troubling you too much
to drive me to my bungalow?" she asked.
"My own carriage was not ordered until
even o'clock, and I remember there is
something I must do."
"It will give me the greatest pleasure."
he assured her, gravely.
Smiling her thanks, she kissed Jane af
fectionately, and went out, while the Col
onel followed, nervously twitching his
Mustache.
That his suspicion was not entirely un
justified the lady's oiiening words seemed
to testify, for it is notorious that nn np
Ka! to "auld lang tyne" is generally the
preamble to something disagreeable.
"We have always been friends, have we
aot. Colonel, I'rinsep?" she began, as. set
tled comfortably in his dog-cart, 'they
Irore quickly toward her home.
. "Always, Mrs. Dene. I hope there is no
reason e should not remain so still."
"fW course not. ISut I want to take ad
vantage of our friendship to ask you a
favor the first."
"Yon may be sure I shall not refuse it
Dales obliged," he said, politely.
"Then don't flirt with Jane Knox. It Is
not (air. 8he is so young and inexpe
rienced in noeiety' ways, and you I
aa't pay yon entnplimenta to your face,"
fee inlshed, laughing.
"Indeed, 1 hare no thought of flirting."
"Bat yon may be drawn Into it Men
M as weak where a pretty girl is con
mi And yea will not deny that the
tl rVwady evidently attracted by yon."
? woo Id tklak me a dreadful cox
f ' If I admitted the soft impeacb-
" M M MM N er Dot, K M a
V- J L S II wae MsJetakabiy wrft
t tm ."
i f txfUi waartber this
tjrZa to ntmnHf be i
m ii S-U
asked, rallying, partly to carry off a
certain sheepisliues which all men feeel
on being tolj thty have won a woman's
love.
"Certainly not yet; and It is extremely
unlikely that you ever will return it.
That is why 1 want you to keep away and
let her get over this infatuation."
They were Hearing her bungalow now,
and she drew her white shawl close, and
picked np her umbrella which bad fallen
down.
"Yon are not angry with me?" the
asked him presently.
"Angry with you? No."
"And you don't think I baTe meddled
with matters that do not concern me?"
'I think it is like yonr sweet womanli
ness to sjM-ak as you have done. 1 re
sjvect you for it, and thank you."
They had stopped before her door, and
jumping to the ground, be assisted her
to alight.
"Good by; and, Mrs. Dene, I shall re
uieuilier what you have said, and I
wont "
He stopjied, in half-amused embarrass
ment. "Won't what?" she persisted, merci
lessly. "I won't flirt with your little friend, I
promise."
Laughing at his comical confusion, she
shook hands with him, and wished him
good by, and stood for a moment looking
after him as he drove away. Then, with
a smile still hovering upon her lips, she
went into the bungalow.
Smiling still, she sauntered into the
drawing-rootn, slowly taking off her
gloves; but her face bees
less in a moment when she uiw hr him-
band seated at the open window. How
was it that bis nresenee cenit Arir
every feeling from her heart except ex-
ccin an h oniy tear;
"Gerald, if I had known i I,.
I would have come home earlier."
1 hen I am glad you did not know,
for I never Wish to det.rive Villi of nnv
pleasure."
He bad noticed how onlclilv tl .,,!
had faded from her face fin IUiiik, t,in
and was hurt that it should be so. Was
ne always to be a restraint upon her?
Could he not even share lir .,,,.,,1. -
ery-day thoughts, though he were for
ever sum out irorn participating in her
deeper joys and sorrows?
-My pleasure la with you." she said,
gently, as though conscious of what was
in his mind.
'Tour duty, perhaps. I wish the words
were synonymous"
Her lips quivered, and the tears came
into her eyes, but before they could fall
he was at her side, holding ber ungloved
hand between his own.
"Nora, don't cry. lama bntte. I did
not mean anything I said. I was only
vexed for a moment that I had not suc
ceeded in milking your life happier than
it is."
She looked up at him sweetly. If
gravely still, through a mist of unshed
tea rs.
"Indeed," she said, "I think I arn hap
pier than I know," and she left him puz
zling over the words.
CHAPTER VI.
When Captain and Mrs. Dene met
again at dinner neither made reference to
what had passed between them. It was
tbe first time thatjjiere had been even
an approach to a quarrel, yet it had
seemed to draw them nearer to each other
and bring some warmth into their rela
tions. Anything was better than that
cool politeness
Hut, though in their hearts there was
no appreciable change, a difference was
felt in their manner to each other. He
talked a little faster than usual, but she
was quieter, for her bead was full of a
new plan that she wanted her husband's
assistance to mature.
She opened the subject directly tbey re
paired to the drawing room.
"Gerald7 have you answered that Invi
tation yet from the Tent Club for the
pig-sticking at Cawnpore?"
"No, by Jove! I quite forgot. Just
remind me again to-morrow morning. 1
feel too lazy to write now."
"And about that pig-sticking you
would enjoy it, would you not ?"
"I dare say I might if I went."
"And why should you not go?"
"Io you wish me to do so?"
"Yes."
He drew himself up rmpatientiy as he
rose from his seat.
"Very well: I will go." he said, ttnd
thought the discussion ended.
Hut she looked up blankly into his face.
"I want to lake Jane Knox with ns. if
you won't mind," she said.
His countenance fell; but he would not
show that be was disappointed that the
tete-a-tete was to be broken.
"Let ns make a party of it," he said,
cheerfully, after a few moments of si
lence. " 'Three is trumpery, four Is com
pany,' and young ladies always want
someone to flirt with."
"The very thing! Herald, bow clever
yon are! Let us ask Major Lnrron."
"Why him, of all others?" frowning.
"Why, because he is the richest, of
course." She stopped short, remember
ing how strange it must seem that she
should recommend as a husband for an
other the man who had refused herself.
How true it is that time heals all wounds!
That episode in her life seemed very dis
tant now, and all the feelings It had
awakened had died a natural death.
"If yon are intent upon match-making,
there are others nearly as rich as he.
Thia is ton expensive a regiment for a
poor man."
"Which is lucky," replied hie wife, dry
ly, "for girls seem to have a knack of
setting their affections on the wrcng
man."
He looked at ber keenly. Was she
speaking from her owa experience or an
other's? "I am afraid the task yon have set
yourself will prove an ardooua one. Now,
there ia Val Graeme, who, besides the
wealth which yoa eeeei to consider ta
dlapaaeaMa, eoeeeaeca goad looks and a
winausf nana sc. Way aot ebooet aim 7"
waa iManag af tbe Utta,'
Mr. I -oe. thoughtfully. "Have yea foe- I
gotten tht Major l-arroo will be Lord
utrroumon soiueuay. wl n- sir. orame
money a as gamed iu trade 7"
"You weiu to expect great things for
your friend 1 should have thought the
latter match a more suitable one, sup
posing that either cared to play to win.' "
He spoke savagely, for tbe doubt Lad
assailed bim whether perhaps she re
gretted tbe title which once she might
have shared, and be invariably grew bit
ter when the eircumtan"e of bis mar
riage were recalled to faiio.
But his wife, who had started at bis
tone, gucDM-d what nas parsing through
bis mind, and with a gestuie succeeded is I
clearing the cloud from his brow
CHAPTER VII.
I'nsware of tbe schemes that had been
made for her settlement in life, Jane
was charmed alien tbe invitation came
for her to go to Cawnpore Independent
ly of a natural love of change and gsy
ety, she was full of nerrous delight at
tbe idea of entering society the society
of which she had so often thought and
dreamed.
And h'-r mother was no less phased.
She realized at once tbe advantage it
would be to ber daughter to make ber
first ap;-Briince under other auspices than
her own. and where her former circum
stances were not known.
"It is giving the girl fair chance." she
said, complacently, to her husband.
"And It is particularly kind of Captain
and Mrs. Dene," he replied For tbe
quartermaster was more sensible of the
ciides ension than was Mrs. Knox. who.
fluttered though she was at the attention,
Jid not share the soldier's natural rev-
wence for bis ofru-er. Then he added.
doubtfnliv
I wonder what Jacob Lyuu
will say?"
asked
What has he to
do with it?"
Mrs. Knox, sharply.
,0
Everything, seeing
that be is
the girl's husband."
She looked nt him In ntter uvirn
"Do you really think that that will ever
be?"
"Why not? A promise is a promise;
and I don't want Jane to be such a fine
lady as to f..rgi-t her first friends," he
answered, doggedly.
Is it true. John, that the sergeant has
taken to drinking lately 7" Mrs. Knox
asked, presently.
'I heard something abont it. but one
doc not believe everything one hears."
"He was always wild!" shaking her
head.
It so happened that Jacob Lynn heard
she had already left. Then he came to
Mrs. Knox and reproached her bitterly
for what he called her unfair reticence.
Yotl have owed me a grudge ever
since Jane promised to lie my wife. P.nt
she promise! of her own tree will, so It is
unjust to use your influence arainst me."
he said, sulkily, at the end of the tirade.
Everything is against me. He on my
side!" be pleaded.
I have given yon my advice alresdv.
and can do no more." she answered, oldlv.
That same evening Mrs. Knox wrotp to
her daughter, telling her all home news
and outside gossip, but intentionally re
fraining from saying a word, good or 111,
of Jacob Lynn.
(To be continued.)
Hulitra't I'o-kctt.
"Peter Gannett'g boy Eden 1h rent
Kmart at bis lxxiks, I bear." said Grand
father Rolling, as he and bis grandson
Rob were out at thp baru milking tbe
oiwg one night "Ain't that so, bub?"
"Why, yes, he's a good band at 'rltlnne
tic and spcllln', and so on." returned
Kob, without evincing much enilnisi-
aum. "Hnt he a awful slow at games,"
be added, after a moment's pause.
Kob," KatiJ Grandfather Rollins,
turning a sharp gaze on the boy. and
wpenkiuK with a good deal of severity.
once or twice lately jon've put me In
mind of a feller that usev! to live over
lu PickvHV when I was a 1) cr. 1 don't
rightly recall w hat his Christ inn name
wast, fer tbe Ikijk at s !i-ki1 all called
blin 'Subtract' l'i shr't. an" llmt was the
name be went by.
You'd ask bim about atiybisly. an'
fust off he'd appear to lw upeakln' of
em fair an' sijnare; but In-fore he got
through there was alius sometliln' to
take the juice out of whatever he'd told
ye that was pleasant.
He'd say, 'Aleck Stevens Is a real
smart boy, smart as a uteel trap: hc'
fitich a boy for books, though, that I
don't b'lieve he dix-s much round the
bouse; I gWKs tbey don't depend on bim
to help much.'
"'Ye. Molly Si-ars Is a pooty gal.
that's a fact. There ain't many pootier
round here. I wish she didn't set .mite (
so much by ber looks, though. Folks j
can gee that she knows jest about bow '
pooty she is.' j
" 'Did I hev a kkm1 time tlown to my
Cousin Frank's bouse? (Hi. yo, splen- j
did. Frank's a real jolly boy; he knows
bow Uj make folks laugh. If be hadn't
got such an awful quick temper, there
wouldn't lie much better comp'ny any
where than Frank is.'
"An' so It went It didn't make no
matter what you asked him. you'd get
Jest that kind of an answer every tlnve.
n' there wa'n't anybody iu Kiekville
that bad a tongue folks was so sca't of
as they was of Subtract Foskett's.
"You're tiotlifu' but a yetnllri', Rob,
an' I hev boj of ye, fer I don't think
tbe habit's settled onter ye, y1," con
cluded Grandfather Itolllns, as he rose
Htlflly from tbe milking stool.. "If I
thought It was. I ah'd be clean dls
kerrldged; fer I sh'd ruther any rela
tion o' mine would tie sb-epln" out In the
briryin'-gronud than llvln' t' be like
Subtract Foskctt!"
Great Hw liiinilng Feat,
Martin Sullivan, a white sailor on
the cruiser Minneapolis, now at the
Norfolk navy yard, was ironed recent
ly for desertion. He escaped frlm hi
cell taut night nnd while handcuffed
leaped overboard and swam across the
river to Berkley, half a mile away. He
hid nnder a raft while the cruiser
swept the water with her search light.
When tfiey were tnrtied off he made
hia way to Berkley, where some ne
groea tiled hia handcuffs off. He then
exchanged hia uniform for cltlxen'a
clothes and engaged to work his pana
age to New York on a barge. When m
laancn from tbe yard pa axed the barge
to-day be bid la a bettar, bat wax xnb
aiqaaatly eaytarad.
MS
til. I . li:VSK fe"
AVWMMAiyWWltYWTWrVWVTVWVVVVTVyvVV1
j: HIS FRIEND'S DECEIT j
i
THERE wax a dejected look on
Paul Gardner's face as he
seated himself at his writ
ing table, and in spite of bini-
! self a sigh ewaK'd him. He bad
come to the parting of the ways In bis
' existence vt aa now confronting the
fact that the career of honor, eae and
I usefulness which three i.T four years
ago be bad mapped out for realization
' """" '"'("'rKildy of attainment. His
i lit'l' were dead, (inly one thing re-
; iiiuined for bim to do now Put that
was surely the hardest of them all!
; That was the nrltnal cause of his de-
j.-ctlon. an.l that was the source of bis
; ;.ri, o, .i i... a,,,,,.
,.', ' , . , , , , ,,
! r,ll1'(l a Ktrctched forth his
I "'"" "P !"'" r "r a
I m,'"t "e I" veil nervously with it. lis If
, tumble to trace the necessary words on
i the paper before blin. Then be wrote:
"Dear Itremln-Mr h..srt fnlU me
; I liegln this task, but honor compels
the conviction that It Is a necessary one.
! Ity the time this reaches you I shall In
many miles ujmn my Journey. It wociiih
but yesterday nlncp I settled here and
opened my doors for the reception of
patient. I had some lMHm then, and
I tsllcved that, by Judicious nunnge.
-n nt. It would MiMee until I li.nl m ide a
start. In spite of energy, frugality nml.
I Isdieve, skill, my practice has yet to
be liegun My walling has been In vain
and my bras plate Insufficient to Ht
tntct tbe practical attention of those re
quiring medical aid. Now I have come
to the end of my resources and I must
leave you you whom I love lictter than
life. I have made tip my mind to ws
Fortune. In a foreign clime. I know yon
love me and tbe recollection of the
many happy hours we have spent to-
gether will in tbe future, as in the past,
be a cheerful Incentive to me In Hiv
work. Put I dare not ask you to wait
my return. I hope for success, but I
had Imped for It at the outset, and llm
future may powdble Is as unpropitiotis
and the boK-s ax visionary as those of
the past. No; however powerful my
Inclinations, Justice to yourself com
pels me to relinquish the claim I have
hitherto bad iiiu you. Consider your
self, then, dear Brenda, under no obliga
tion to your obi love. Pray for me and
may God bless you. Ever your in heart.
"PAIL."
It was written at last. He dare not
breathe a good-by dare not utter one
of those terms of endearment be bad i
been so accustomed to use. HIn heart
was quickly sinking within him. To
pause for a moment would be fatal hesi
tation. He did not read the letter
through, but placed It quickly In an
enveloH'. and. hurriedly directing and
waling it, deposited It m tbe mantle
piece out of sight, as If be would fain
forget Its existence. At (hat moment
tile door ojM-ued, and Paul looked up as
bis friend. Mark Trevor, entered.
"Come in, Trevor, Mini don't mftid the
confusion." be said. "I'm glad to we
you. as I was Just going out to look you
up."
"J!y Jove! Then you really Intend
leaving us?" said Trevor, elevating bis
eyebrows and attempting a smile. "1
thought when yotl mentioned It last
week It was the outcome of Impulse and
disgust. Put, my dear fellow, w hy this
baste? And Miss Heatlicote Premlu!
You surely "
"Trevor, don't At times, as I think
of her, my resolution wavers, and yel
I know I arn right in what I am about
to do."
"Put In she not awnre of your depar
ture?" "No: neither can I tell her verbally.
Her tears wocld make me weak, and
I want to spare her, as well as myself,
the pain of saving farewell."
"Farewell! Nonsense. You'll get an
appointment out there, on landing, and
in a few months at most you'll lx back
again for your bride," and a cloud, evi
dently the outcome of contemplating
such a possibility obscured Trevor's
face.
A silence of some moments followed.
Then Trevor resumed his gayety, his
face lit up with Iiok and his eyes nclii
tillated with more than ordinary bril
liancy. "Well, well," his said, "you know
your own affair liest, 1 suppose, and.
after all. you're only doing what an
honorable man ought to. Hut If I can
help yon In any way. don't be afraid of
commanding me. I'm at your service,
Gardner, although I don't Mipposc you
have any commissions to give."
"Yea, I have. Yon can do me a great
favor, obi fellow. I I the fact Is, I'm
fust a bit short of funds, and and If
you conld see your way to lend me, say
f,Vt, 1 should bn uncommonly grateful.
One ncvet knowa what may happen,
yoa know, and, all going welt, I will re
inra It In course of a few mootha."
m i m X mj W i a mm I a" a
"Certainly! I'm glad you mentioned
It. my loy. It would never do to crl
ple yourself at the outset by being short
of the ready I'll lend it you with pleas
ure. When do you start?" be asked,
eagerly.
"In the morning early."
"Fact 1h. I haven't the money by me.
but I can get It In an hour. D'Arcy
owes me fifty, and promised to let me
have It this morning without fall. I'll
Just run round and get bim to draw the
check In your favor Instead of mine,
and "
"Thanks, awfully. It's very g'X"! of
yon. Trevor."
"Tut, tut: don't mention It. Get your
things put In order, and I'll Is- back In
an hour." and Trevor, snatching up bis
bat departed.
True to bis word, Mark Trevor re
turned within an hour.
"Just caught bim In. my Ixiy," he
said. "Here you are the check's
drawn in your favor, to save my In
dorsement." "Thanks for all you have done for
me," said Paul, Inking up the check nnd
putting In Into bis pfs-ketlsik. "I
shall not forget your g.xidness," grate
fully clasping Trevor's band In bis.
In a short time the baggage was de
posited In a growler, and Paul on bis
way to the East India d'ick. As he was
alsiut to step on to the gangway two
men who bad watched bis egress from
the vehicle approached ami laid hands
on him.
"Paul Gardner. I suppose?" said the
foremost of them.
"I hat Is my name.-'
"It is our duty to arrest you on a
charge of forgery in connection with a
! check u bleb y u i asln d j e-.ti-rd iy benr-
ing the signature of Edmund D'Arcy,
and to warn you that anything you may
i say may be used as evidence against
you."
The slus k staggered Paul for an In
stant. "Arrest! Forgery!" be murmured, at
length. "There Is some mistake. I do
not understand. 1 certainly cashed
such a check, but it was not forged; It
was drawn by D'Arcy himself
Good heavens!" be exclaimed, "can It
be true? Can there lie truth In those
rumors after all? Can be love Uremia,
and have concocted this villainous plot
to ruin me?" ttnd as a conviction of the
truth flashed upon blin it required su-
perlitimau effort to hold himself In
check, (in arriving at the station he
reiterated bis Innocence, but, of course,
to no purpose.
"May I send a telegraphic message?"
lie Inquired.
"The police will lend yotl any reason
able assistance. If yotl wish to com
municate with your friends," was the
reply.
"I have just a dozen words. Wire
them to the person I name as soon ns
it is daylight: 'Hewiire of Trevor be W
at the bottom of my niln. Am Inno
cent. Paul.' to Miss Heatlicote," and
Paul gave hi in her address. "You have
the words? You will not forget them?"
"1 call remember They will do no
barm -any way, they won't," mtitteVed
tin- man. "As soon us It Is daylight
Depeuil upon me. sir. '
There could tie tm question as to the
outcome of the well-contrived plot
against bim. Paul Gardner saw that
I'nless Trevor made a clean breast of
bis duplicity nothing but Imprisonment
awaited bim. And it turned out as he
feared. Trevor denied every word of
Gardner's statement, even going to the
length of saying that they had never
met on the day that Paul stated the
check was handed over to bim. He In
tended flight, anil bis arrest Just as be
was about to leave tbe country was
roust rued Into evidence against bim.
He was committed for trial by the
magistrates and eventually sentenced
to three years' imprisonment.
For months Mark Trevor shrank at
the thought of going near Uremia
Heatlicote. In spile of bis craft and
duplicity he could not summon the
necessary courage to confront her, but
eventually Nought her out nml endeav
ored to persuade ber that Iter Impres
sions were false, that Paul was deserv
ing of his fale, and that he Trevor
was much Injured by being draggd
into the horrible nffnlr.
"Explain that telegram." said Ureiida,
showing him the wire Paul had con
trived to send her. "Explain that. I
lsdleve every word of it, nnd I know
the man who sent It too well to think
that even in misfortune he would make
such a charge falsely against one whom
he had professed to honor."
Trevor took the wire, and bis face
turned ghastly white aa ha read the
worda, "Beware of Trevor be Is at the
bottom of my ruin. Am Innocent"
"When did yon receive blsr he In
qtliied. " tn tbe ulgbt or rather early morning
f.f bis arrest. I Vtiow tbe re:i n yoa
U-trsyed bim. at. 1 ldci!tly Paul did,
tisi. The rta.n'he wired me was to
prevent all posH illty of your diabolical
plot succeeding lar ss itir Inten
tions with me ere concei ..ed. Now
go. and never se k u y face ai.a!n. Only
rcim-mber that t!p'e who suffer Inno
cently may make even their suffering a
stepping stone to future success, while
those guilty of su.ii offense as your
must eventually sink dn-js-r In crime."
It was a memorable morniii when
the young doctor found himself once
more at lils rty. The very thought that
be was free was almost sutlicieiit to
overw helm him; and, as he confronted
the traffic of the bny streets, he could
scarcely credit the fact.
How would idie coiinsul him to act?
Should be go to her? lie scarcely
knew, lie required time for thought
After prK-urliig suitable clothing he re
paired to one of the parks and sat
down upon a seat The thoroughfare
be bad chosen was wellnlgh deserted,
and I aul was s on lost In t'ie intrcuHes
of thought. He bad just determined
that be would tiot visit Pretida until be
could take convincing proof of his lu
iKH'ence when bis privacy was Intruded
upon. Two men. supporting the totter
ing form of an elderly gentleman be
tween them, came up to the scat.
"You are ill. sir," said Paul, making
room and assisting the old man Into a
comfortable posture.
"Ye yea I I'm very ill," was the
reply.
"Can I be of service to you? I am a
medical man."
"Then as ns you value suffering
Immunity follow to my residence,"
and the man brokenly whlss-red bis
name and address.
"What Is the name of the doctor at
tending Mr. Eastoii?" Paul asked of the
attendant as soon as he ariived.
"Harrow, sir," replied the man. "And
bet Wei ll you and me. sir, I believe
there's something wrong Im-Iwccii him
and Mr. Murk, lie's a broken-down,
drink-ridden beast, sir, and Mr. Mark
won't hear of anyone else being called,
and "
"Who Is Mr. Mark?"
"Mr Fusion's adopted son. He ain't
no relation, sir," said the man. subdu
ing bis voice to an almost inarticulate
whisper, "but he's the master's heir
and "
Enough." said Paul. "Sin-, take this
prescription to the chemist and bring
hak the medicine at once. Then run
round and ask Dr. Ibsiso Fcbller to
come lure instantly; ll is a matter of
life and death."
The man set off at once and speedily
returned with the requisite medicine,
and then went as requested for the
specialist When the eminent scientist
appeared. Paul, without more ado.
linked him to make an examination of
the invalid und to slate what be con
sidered was the nature of the com
plaint Several minutes elapsed, then,
taking off bis plnce uez. Dr. Feldter
said:
"I sie by the remedies you are em
ploying that we have liotb arrived at
the same conclusion. You are giving
chloral?"
"Yes."
"Quite right The condition is owing
to tbe cumulative properties of strych
nine." "So I conjectured. The patient seems
easier now; may I have a word with
you In private?"
The two were conducted to nn ele
gantly furnished dressing-room, and In
a few moments Paul announced IiIm be
lief that Mr. Easton was being slowly
but deliberately poisoned. The Se
ciu)lst looked exceedingly grave, but
counseled bim to take tip his quarters
in the dressing-room and await devclp
nients. An hour after Dr. Feldter's de
parture two men entered the bedroom.
A cry of horror almost escaped Paul ns
be saw from his hiding place that one
of these men was Mark 'I revor and the
other, he had no doubt, was the broken
down, morphia-dominated medical man
w ho was doing bis bidding. The latter
took a small vial from his pocket and
poured a little of Its contents inio a
wine blass.
"How long before the end now?"
whispered Trevor.
"To-morrow, sometime, I will finish."
was the reply.
Paul waited no longer. With n bound
be entered the room and confronted the
two startled men.
"Scoundrels!" he cried, "what would
you do? Poison blin? Thank God that
my first act after liberation Is to save
live and not to destroy It"
"Paul Oirdner!" exclaimed Trevor,
starting back ward, his face livid und
his limbs trembling as if palsied.
"Yes, I," sitld Paul, "back to charge
you with one crime, and to save you
from completing a more heinous one."
"It was he who suggested and paid
me to do It" moaned the abject brute,
who sank trembling to the ground!
Half an hour nfterward both men were
In custody, and Paul was too busy at
the Is'dslde of the Invalid. For days he
continued his unwearying attentions,
am! evetiluully had the satisfaction of
fully restoring his patient Nor was
gratitude wanting on Mr. Huston's part.
On his recovery Paul unburdened bis
own sad story, and a week later his
name slood In ids patient's will in the
place recently occupied by that of
Mark Trevor. Nor was ibis all. A ami
den fame attached Itself to him, and
with Dr. lloose Feldter ns his pa iron,
bis professional career was quickly es
tablished, Trevor nnd his accomplice were sent
enced to a long term of Imprisonment
On conviction, the former at once made
a wrliten statement, completely exon
crating Paul from the offense fr which
he had suffered, and only two days later
Paul and Brenda were together.
"Proof of my Innocence, darling"
aid he, producing the document
"I do not need It," she replied, t
knew lt"-Tid-Blta,