THB'OMAnA DAILY BEE: r8TJTCDAY, OCTOBETl 2G, 1902.""
thoroughbreds.
Bjr W. A. FRASER ,
Author of "The Outcast," ''Mooiwa," and Other Stories.-
(Copyright. 1902. by McClure, FhUllpa & Co.)
CHAPTER XXVIII.
' When they had pawed the edge of the
village. Crane said. "I doubt If you would
have' shaken hands with Mr. Mortimer if
you knew I mean, he la under atrong sus
picion more than strong suspicion, for
lie is practically self-accused of having
stolen a sum of money from the bank. In
fact I'm not sure that it wasn't from your
father he really stole It."
"I do know of this terrible thing," she
answered. "I shook hands with him be
cause I believe him -Innocent."
"You know more then than we do." It
wa not a sneer. It was too delicately
Telled for detection; the words were ut
tered in a ton of hopeful Inquiry.
"Mr. Mortimer could not steal It is im
possible," "Have you sufficient grounds for your
faith T Do you happen to know who took
the money? For it was stolen."
The girl did not answer at once. At first
fcer stand had simply been one of Implicit
faith in the. man ahe had conjured into a
fcero of all that was good and noble.
Che had not cast about for extenuating
'evidence; she had not asked herself who
Vhe guilty man was; her faith told her it
(was morally impossible for Mortimer to
become a thief. Now Crane's questions,
fcnore material than the first deadening
affects of Alan's accusation, started her
knlnd on a train of thought 'dealing with
taotive and possibilities.
She knew that Alan had lost money on
rLucretla; that he had felt so sure of
terane'a horse winning that he. had sought a
Doan from her to recoup- his losses by back
ting The Dutchman.
r Upon the continued silence. Crane grew
irestlees; the girl, almost oblivious of his
.presence, deep in the pathology of the
crime, gave no sign' of a desire to pursue
the discussion.
! "Of course I am anxious to clear the
young man If he Innocent," hasarded
'crane, to draw her gently back Into the in
'fluence that ho -felt must be of profit to
himself.
Allls answered his observation he dis
tinctly felt the vibration of pain in her
ivolce with a startling depth of analytical
(discernment:
( "While I believe In Mortimer's Inno
cence and will always believe In It, I am
afraid that he has drawn such a web of
'circumstantial . evidence about him trying
'to shield some one else that that It is
too terrible!" she broke off passionately,
I "he Is Innocent. For God's sake. Mr.
Crane " she took the reins- in her whip
band and put her left on his arm pleadingly
'"for God's sake, for his mother's sake.
pave him. You can do It you can believe
that he Is Innocent, and stop everything.
irk. nAAW tina hpen flSld back."
k "It isn't that. Miss Allls" his voice was
mo cutUngly even after the erratic Jump or
tier own "In a bank one musi noi a
Ui.i, urann. Wa must investigate to
UIDUUUDD - - -
(the end, and If Mortimer can clear himself
(by fastening the i crime , upon the perpe
trator" j He wllLnever do'that;be cannot, If he
would.' t
"What can. I do, then,', Miss Allls T , But
why shouldn't he?"
f "Can't you see don't you understand the
(Jnant He commenced by shielding some
one else, and he will carry It through to
Ithe bitter end."
1 "I am afraid there was'ino one to ahleld
.but himself. Everything points to this
conclusion. The money was locked up. he
had the keys, no one touched them except
your brother Alan, and that but for a min
utebut if any suspicion could attach to
your brother it Is all dissipated by Morti
mer's subsequent actions. It's unpleasant
to even hint at such a contingency, but it
Mortimer is innocent then your brother
taust be the guilty one."
i He expected the girl to. denounce Indig
nantly such a possibility ;' he was surprised
that she remained silent. Her non-refutation
of this deduction told him as conclu
sively as though she had uttered the ac
cusation that she thought Alan had taken
the money and Mortimer was shielding him.
It was but a phase of blind love; it was the
faith the women place in men they love of
which he had read and scoffed at.
Against- all evidence, she was holding
this man honest, believing her brother the
thief.
1 Surely a love like that was worth win
ning; no price was too great to pay. Her
very faith in Mortimer through which she
sought to save him by inspiring Crane, de
termined the latter to crush utterly the
man who stood between him and this great
love.
Intensity of hate, or love, or cupidity,
never drew Crane out of hie inherent diplo
macy; be took refuge behlnd'the brother of
Allls.
"You see," he said, and his voice modu
lated soft with kindness, "I can't save Mor
timer except at the expense of Alan you
would not have me do that. Besides it is
Impossible. The evidence seems aa clear
as noonday."
"If you bring this boms to Mr. Mortimer,
yyuo will punish htm, arrest him?"
I "That would be the usual course."
ahe replaced it, and be could feel the strong
singers press aa though she would hold him
to her wishes.
"You will not do this," she said; "tor my
feaV you will not!"
"You ask this of me, and it Is for your
Bake?"
' "Yes; if there Is no other way If Mr.
Mortimer, Innocent, must take upon hlra
elf this crime, then for my sake you will
not punish him."
I The gray eyes were violet-black in their
-Intensity.
It I promise " He had been going to
for reward, but she broke in, saying:
You will keep your word, and I will
thank you."
; "Nothing more Is that all?"
i The magnetism of the intensified eyes
broke down his reserve; he slipped back
twenty years in a second. Love touched
him with a fire-wand and his soul Ignited.
Cold, passionless Philip Crane spoke in a
tongue, unfamiliar as It was to him, that
carried conviction to the girl Just the con
viction that he was in earnest, that be was
possessed of a humanising love.
She listened patiently while he pleaded
his cause with mastery. It was beyond
her understanding that, though Mortimer
through all time had spoken not at all of
love to her at least not in the passionate
words that came from Crane's lips yet she
Bow heard as though it were his voice and
Dot Crane's. Love was a glorious thing
1th Mortimer.
Crane's Intensity availed nothing. When
fie asked why she held faith to a men
who must be knomn for all time as a felon,
her soul answered, "It is nothing, because
be is Innocent."
' Crane made no threat, hut Allls shud
dered. Ehe knew. The narrow-liddedp eyes
had closed perceptibly when their owner
talked of the alternative. He, Crane, loved
Iter she felt that was true. He -was rich;
cvea for Mortimer, he would use his wealth.
He pleaded his cause like a strong nan,
and when he spoke of a failure because of
her preference for Mortimer, an acridity
crept into his voice that she knew meant
ruin for all time for whomever he had the
power to ruin, or felt disposed to.
"I am sorry, Mr. Crane," she began con
ventionally, "I am sorry, I couldn't marry
a man without loving him. What you have
Just told me must win regard for you be
cause I know that you feel strongly, and I
think any woman should take an offer o
honest love as the greatest of sll compli
ments." "But I don't even ask for your love now,"
he interrupted.
"Ah, but you should. You shouldn't marry
a woman unless she loved you. At any
rate, I feel that way about it. Of course. If
there were a chance of my coming to caro
for you in that way, we could wait, but it
would be deceiving you to give hope."
"Is it because you csre for Mortimer?"
he asked.
"I think it Is. I suppose if I am to
help blm I must be quite honest with you.
I do not want to talk about it, it seems
to sacred. I have even spoken less to Mr.
Mortimer of love." she added with a pain
ful atempt at a smile. "You have said that
you care for me. Mr. Crane, and I believe
you. You have been generous to my father
also. Now won't you promise me some
thing Just for the sake of this regard? I
suppose It is impossible to prove Mr. Mor
timer's Innocence " ahe felt her own help
lessness, and who else could or would care
to accomplish It "but it is in your power
to lessen the evil. Won't, you take my word
that he is Innocent and stop everything?
As you say. either Mr. Mortimer or Alan
must be suspected, and If it were brought
home to my brother, it would crush me, and
my mother and father."
"What can I do?"
"Just nothing. I know Mr. Mortimer has
determined to accept the disgrace, and he
will go away. You can make his load as
light as possible, for my sake."
Though It was to Crane' best Interests,
be pretended to consent out of pure chivalry.
"What you ask," he said, "la very little. I
would do a thousand times more for you.
There Is nothing you could ask of me that
would not give me more pleasure than any
thing else la my barren life. But I could
not bear to see you wedded to Mortimer. He
is not worthy you are too good for him. I
don't say this because he seems more for
tunate, but I love you and want to see you
happy."
The girl was like a slim poplar. The
strong wind of Crane's clever pleading' and
seeming generosity swayed her from her
rigid attitude, only to spring back again, to
stand straight and beautiful, true to her love
and faith in Mortimer.
"You are kind to me," she saldUalmply;
"I wish I could repay you."
"Perhaps some day I may get, a reward
out of all proportion to this small service."
She looked fair into hla eyes, and on her
lips hovered a weak, plaintive, wistful
smile, as though she were wishing that he
could accept the Inevitable, and take her
regard, her gratitude, her good, opinion of
him, and not - wed himself to a chimera
which would bring only weariness of spirit
In return for his goodness.
. "You will be repaid some day," she an
swered, "for I feel that Mr. Mortimer's
name will be cleared, and you will be glad
that you acted generously."
"Well, this will give him a better chance,"
be said, evasively. "It's not good to crush
a man when he's down. I feel that no one
connected with the bank shows him the
slightest disrespect. Of course, he'll have
to go; he couldn't remalnu under the cir
cumstances, he wouldn't."
Tbey had turned into the drive to Ring
wood house.
"We are home now," she said, "and I
want to say again that I'll never forget your
kind promise. I know you will not repent
of your goodness."
Mrs. Porter had seen Allls and Crane to
gether in the buggy. This incident pleased
the good woman vastly.
Allls' success with Lauzanne had tajcen
a load from her spirits. She was not mer
cenary, but there had been so much at
stake. Now in one day Providence had
averted disaster, and she had awakened
from a terrible nightmare of debt. The
sunshine of success had warmed her hus
band's being into hopeful activity, a bright
ness waa over his spirits that had not been
there for months. It was like an augury of
completed desire that Crane should come
the day of their good fortune with Allls.
If she would but marry him there would be
little left to worry about. 80 it was that
Crane, perplexed by his recent love check,
and Allls, mired in gloom over her hero's
misfortune, stepped into a radiancy of
exotic cheerfulness.
The girl bravely sought to rise to the oc
casion, chiding her heavy heart for its
unfillal lack of response.
Crane, accustomed to mental athletics,
tutored his mind into a seeming exuberance,
and playfully alluded to his own defeat at
the hands of Allls and the emtio Lauzanne.
There was no word of the bank episode.
nothing but a pean of victory.
Crane'a statement to Allls that he was
going out to Rtngwood to see her father
wa only an excuse. He soon took his de
parture, a stable boy driving him back to
the village.
There he had a talk with the cashier.
Mortimer was to be asked to resign his
position as soon as his place in the bank
could be filled. No further prosecution was
to be taken against him unless Crane de
elded upon such a course.
"In the meantime you can Investigate
cautiously," Crane said, "and keep quite to
yourself any new evidence that may turn
up. So far as Mr. Mortimer is concerned,
the matter is quite closed."
CHAPTER XXIX.
Crane returned to New York, his mind
working smoothly to the hum of the .busy
wheels beneath his coach.
This degrading humiliation of h'.s rival
must certainly be turned to account. With
Allls Porter still believing In Mortimer'
innocence, the gain to him was very little;
he must bring the crime absolutely home to
Mortimer, but in a manner cot aavorlng of
persecution, else the girl's present friendly
regard would be turned into an abhorrent
hate.
He reasoned that Mortimer had taken the
$1,000 note thinking to win 13,000 or $4,000
at least over his horse, the Dutchman, and
then replace the abstracted money. Crane
was aware that Alan Porter had told Mortl
msr of the Dutchman's almost certain proa
pect of winning; la fact the boy suggested
that Mortimer had taken it for this purpose.
Mortimer would not have changed the not;
would have taken it straight to the race
course. He must have lost It to some book
maker over the Dutchman.
Crane knew the number of the stolen not.
The three $1,000 bill were new, running in
consecutive numbers. B 7.t83-S3-84 he had
aotlced that quite by chance at the time; it
aas.U middle, ope, lM7,i83, that was miss
ing. So h had a possible means of ld"ntl
frlng the man who had taken the money.
Immediately upon hla arrival In New York,
Crane telephoned for Faust, asking him to
bring his betting sheet for the last day of
the Brooklyn meet. When Faust arrived at
Crane'a quarters, the latter said: "I want
to trace a $1,000 note number B 67,483. I
think It was bet on the Brooklyn Derby,
probably on my horse."
Faust consulted his betting sheet, Crane
looking over his shoulder.
"I didn't have no thousand on that race,"
he said.
"What are those figures?" asked Crane,
pointing to two consecutive number of one
thousand each.
"That was . the other wsy about," an
swered Faust; "that was pay. A thousand
to one hundred twice over Lauzanne. I
think It must have been more stable money,
for the guy that took It was like a big kid;
he didn't know enough to pick a winner in
a thoucand years."
The coincidence of this amount with the
win he attributed to "Mortimer, appealed to
Crane's fancy. "Do you remember the man
who made this bet, then?" he asked.
"Yes, sure thing. There was two of them,
as you see. I remember him because It
took some explalnin' to get the bet through
hi head. He was a soft mark for a bunco
steerer. I've seen some fresh kids playln'
the horses, but he had 'em all beat to a
standstill. It must a-been first time luck
with him, for he cashed."
"Can you describe him?"
The Cherub drew an ornate verbal picture.
florid in its descriptive phraseology, but
"ALAN DENOUNCED
cognate enough to convince Crane It was
Mortimer who had made one of the bet.
HI preconceived plan of the euspected
man' operations was working out.
"Now find this $1,000 note for me," he
said; "take trouble over it; get help if
necessary; go to every bookmaker that was
in line that day. If you find the note, ex
change other money for it and bring it to
me."
"There may be a , chance," commented
Faust, scratching his fat poll meditatively.
The fellows like to keep these big bills.
they're easier in the pocket than a whole
basket of flimsies. There wa get-away-day-after,
an' they wouldn't be payin' out
much. I'll make a play for It."
The next afternoon Faust reported at
Crane's room with the rescued note in his
possession. He had been successful.
"I give a dozen of em a turn," he said,
before I run against Jlmmte Farrell. He
had It smuggled away next his cheqt
amongst a lot of yellow backs, good Dutch
man money."
"Does he know who bet It?"
'Not bis name some stranger; he'd know
him if be saw him, he says."
Crane grasped this new idea with avidity.
the scent waa indeed getting hot. Why not
take Farrell down to Brookfield to identify
Mortimer? Crane had expected the search
ing for evidence would be a tedloua matter;
his fortunate star was guiding him straight
and with rapidity to the goal he sought.
"I'm much obliged to you," he said to
Faust. "I won't trouble you further; I'll
see Farrell myself. Give me his address."
That evening Crane saw Farrell. "There
was a little crooked work over that thou
sand Faust got from you," he said, "an'
if you could find time to go with me for
aa hour' run into the country, I think
you could identify the guilty party."
"I can go with you," Farrell answered,
but it's J 'J st a chance in a thousand. I
should be on the block down at Sheeps-
head, but to tell you. the truth the hot
pace the backer set me at Brooklyn
knocked me out a bit. I'm goln' to take
a breather for a few days an' lay again
em next week. Yes. I'll go Mr. Crane."
In the morning the two Jorneyed to Brook
field. "I won't go to the bank with you," Crane
said; "I wish you would go In alone. You
may make any excuse you like or none
at all. Just see if the man you got thia
note from is behind the rail. I'll wait at
the hotel."
In fifteen mlnutea Crane-was Joined by
Farrell.
"Well?" he asked.
'He' there, right enough."
"A short, dark little chap?" questioned
Crane hesitatingly, putting Alan Porter for
ward as a feeler.
"No.. A tall fellow with a mustache."
"You are sure?"
"Dead sure unless he' got a double or
a twin brother."
Crane felt that at last he had got In
dlputable proof; evidence that would satisfy
even Allls Porter. He experienced little
exhilaration over the discovery he had
been so sure before; yet hla hand was
strengthened vastly. Whatever might be
the reault of his suit with A11I. this must
convince her that Mortimer was guilty and
unworthy of her love. There was also satis
faction in the thought that it quite cleared
Alan of hla sister's suspicion.
How he would use this confirmation
C.rane hardly knew; it would come up in
Its own proper place at the right time, no
doubt.
"We can go back now," he said to Far.
rell. "We may well walk leisurely to
the station we csa get a train" he
pulled out his watch "in twenty minutes."
Crane had made up hla mind not to
show himself at the bank . that day. H
wished to hold hi discovery quit close
within himaelf plan his course of action
with habitual caution. It meant no in
creased aggression against Mortimer' lib
erty; it wa of value culr la hi pursuit
, pf A11U Ports. '
As they wslked slowly toward the sta
tion Crane met abruptly the girl who was
Just then so much In his thoughts. Her
sudden appearance quite stsrtled blm,
though It was purely accidental. She had
comt In to do some shopping, she ex
plained, after Crane's greeting.
Farrell continued on when his com
panion stopped. A sudden determination
to tell the girl what he had unearthed
took quick possesion of Crane. His fine
sense of reasoning told him that though
she professed positive faith la Mortimer
she must have moments of wavering; It
seemed only human. Perhaps fate had
put this new weapon In hi hands to turn
the battle.
He began by assuring her that he had
prosecuted the Inquiry simply through a
desire to establish the Innocence of either
Mortimer or her brother, or, if possible,
both.
"you understand." he said, quite sim
ply, "that Alan Is like a brother" he
was going to say "son," but It struck him
as being inadvisable; It aged him. He re
lated how he had traced the stolen note,
how he had discovered it, how he had
brought the bookmaker down and how,
without guidance from him Farrell had
gone Into the bank and had Identified Mor
timer as the man who had bet the money.
They were walking toward the station,
unconscious of physical trent, this terrible
Interest had drawn the girl Crane's way.
"It clears Alan," ho said, seeking fur
tively for a look Into the drooping face.
The bright sun struck a sparklo of light
from something that shot downward and
1 (? -rJJft
1t-WHW-'
MORTIMER FOR HAVING POISONED HER
plashed in the dust. The girl was crying.
"I'm sorry," he offered as atonement.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have told you; it' too
brutal."
The head drooped still lower.
"I shouldn't have spoken had it not been
for your brother's sake. I didn't mean to.
It wa fate drew you across my path Just
now. Though it is cruel. It is better that
you should know. No man has a right to
deceive you; you are too good. It la this
very constancy and goodness that has taught
me to love you."
"Don't," she- pleaded, "I can't bear it
Just now. Please don't talk of love don't
talk of anything. 1 Can't you see can't you
understand?"
"Yes, I know. . You are suffering, but it is
unjust; you are not fair to yourself. If
thia man would steal money, what differ
ence would love make to him? He would
be as unfaithful to you as he has been to
his trust in the bank. You must consider
yourself you must give him up you can't
link your young, beautiful life to a man
who is only saved from the penitentiary
because of your Influence."
"Don't talk that way, .Mr. Crane, please
don't. I know you you think that what
you say Is right, but what difference does
it all make to me? You know what love is
like, you ssy It hss come to you now. My
heart tells me that Mortimer is guiltless.
The time has been so short that he has had
no chance to clear himself. If I didn't be
lieve in him, I wouldn't love htm; but I
still love htm, and ao I believe in him. I
can't help it I don't want to help it; I
simply go on having faith in him, and my
love doesn't falter. Can't you understand
what a terrible thing it would be even if I
were to consent to become your wife? I
know it would please my mother. But it
afterwards this other man was found to be
Innocent, wouldn't your life be embittered
wouldn't It be terrible for you to be tied
to a woman who loved another man?"
"But it is impossible that he Is innocent,
or will ever be thought so."
"And I know that he is lnnecent."
"Your Judgment must tell you that this Is
only fancy."
"My heart tells me thst he is not guilty
of this crime. My heart is still true to
him, so shall I decide against myself? Don't
don't stab me to death with words of
Mortimer's guilt it ha no effect, and only
give -me pain. I must wait we must all
wait. Just wait. There is no harm in wait
ing, the truth comes out at laBt. But you
will keep your promise?" she said, lifting
her eyes to his face.
"Yes, I meant no harm to Mortimer in
searching for this evidence; U was only to
clear your brother."
They had come to the station by now.
"Would you like to speak to Mr. Farrell?"
Crane asked. "You are taking my word."
"No. it ia useless. I can do nothing but
wait; that I can and will do."
"Don't think me cruel," Crane said, "but
the wait will be so long."
"It may be forever, but I will wait. And
I thank you again for your for your good
ness to roe. I'm sorry that I've given you
trouble."
"Shall I go back again up town with you?"
Crane asked, solicitously. "I'm afraid I've
taken you out of your way."
"Goodby. and thank you," said the girl,
holding out her hand to Crane.
"Goodby." he repeated, mechanically.
What had he accomplished? He had
beaten lower h s "rival, and wedded firmer
to the beaten man the love he prized above
all else. In his ears rang the girl' words,
"Watt, wait, wait." Irresponsibly be re
peated to himself, "All things come to
them that wait."
"You nearly missed the train." said Far
rell. . "Did I?" questioned Crane, perplexedly.
"I thought I got on in plenty of time."
Farrell smiled knowingly, as befitted a
man of his occupation a New Yorker up
to snuff.
"W.U1 it bt a court cairh queried.
k 11
"What?" asked Crane, from his tangled
elyslum.
"That high roller la the bank."
"Oh! I can't ssy yet what It will lead to."
Crane'a caution always asserted Itself.
"Well, I've been thinking It over. That's
the guy right enough, but when It comes
to swearing to a man's identity In court,
it's Just a bit ticklish."
Crane frowned. He disliked 'men who
hedged. He always planned first, then
plunged; evidently his companion had
plunged first, and was now verifying his
plans.
Fsrrell continued. "You see what I
mean?"
"I don't," answered Crane, shortly.
"You will If you wait," advised Farrell, a
tinge of asperity in his tone. "I'm ma kin'
a book, say. All the blazln' Idiots In Christ
endom Is climbln' over me wantln' to know
what I'll lay this, and what I'll lay that.
They're like a lot of blasted mosqultos. A
rounder comes up an' makes a bet; If It's
small p'raps I don't twig his mug at all,
Just grabs the dough an' calls his number.
He may be Rockefeller or a tough from the
Bowery, it don't make no difference to me;
all I want Is his goods an' his number, see?
But a better of the right sort slips in an'
taps me for odds to a thousand. Nat'rally
I'm Interested, because he parts with the
thousand as though It was his heart' blood.
I size him up. There ain't no time for the
wrltin' down of ear marks, though most like
I could point him out In a crowd, an say
that's the rooster. But s'postn' a Judge
stood up another man that looked pretty
much like him an' asked me to swear one
-C"t. W
MIND AGAINST HIM."
of the guys into ten years Sing Sing, p'raps
I'd weaken. Mistaken Identity is like grab
bin' up two kings an' a Jack, an' playln' 'em
for threes."
"Which means, If I understand it, that
you're guessing at the man that I've given
you all this trouble for nothing." Crane
wished that Farrell had kept his doubt to
himself; the case had been made strong by
his first decision, and now the devil of un
certainty would destroy the vaue of identi
fication. "Not by a Jugful!" ejaculated Farrell.
"I'm Just tellln' you this to show you that
we've got to make it complete we've got to
get collateral to back up my ptckln'."
"You mean someone 'else to identify
him also?"
"No, not Just that, but that's not a bad
thought. My clerk, Ned Hagen, must have
noticed him, too. I mean that the better'
badge number will be in line with that bet,
an' you can probably find out the number of
the badge this rooster wore."
An inspiration, started into being by Far
rell' words, came to Crane. Why had he
not thought of that before? Still, it didn't
matter. The badge number, Mortimer's
number, would be In Faust's book, where
had been entered the $100 Mortimer put on
Lauzanne. He could compare this with the
number in Far rell' s book; no doubt they
would agree; then indeed the chain would
be completed to the last link. No man on
earth could question that evidence.
"It's a good Idea, Farrell," he said.
"Bet yer life, it's clear Plnkerton. You'd
better come round to my place tomorrow
about 10, and we'll look it up."
"I'll come," Crane answered.
t
CHAPTER XXX.
The old bay horse Allls Porter always
hat carried her back to Rinsrwood
after her interview with Crane, must have
thought that the roillenlum for driving
horses bad surely come. Even the ambition
to urge the patriarch beyond his com
placent, irritating dog-trot was crushed out
of her by the terrible new evidence that
Crane had brought to bear testimony
against her lover.
"I didn't need this," the girt moanea 10
herself. In her Intensity of grief her
thought became audible In expressed words.
"Oh, God!" she pleaded to the fields that
lay in the silent rapture of summer content,
"strengthen me against all this falseness.
You didn't do it, George you couldn't
you couldn't! And Alan! my poor, weak
brother, why can't you have courage and
clear Mortimer?"
Tbe evening before, Alan bad been out at
pinrwvnl and Allls had made a final en
deavor to get him to clear Mortimer's name
by confessing the truth to crane, un ner
knees she had pleaded with her brother. The
boy had fiercely disclaimed all complicity;
protested his own Innocence with vehe
mence, and denounced Mortimer as worse
than a thief in having polaoned her mind
against him.
In his sssumed anger Alan bad disclosed
Mortimer's treachery as he called It and
crime, to her mother. Small wonder that
AUIs's hour of trial was a dark one. The
courage that bad enabled her to carry Lau
zanne to victory was now tried a thousand
told more severely. It seemed all that was
left her, Just her coursge and her faith;
tbey had stood out successfully against all
denunciation of 'Lauzanne, and with God's
help tbey would hold her true to tbe man
she loved.
Even a snail's pace land blm somewhere
finally, and tbe unassalled bay, with a pre
monition of supper hovering obscurely in
his lazy mind, finally consented to arrive at
Rtngwood house.
Allls went to the tea table by her father's
Id, fearlnc to set his hesrlng. She dreaded
her mother' questioning eyes. What could
be said in Mortimer defense or in ner
own? Nothing; she could only wait.
A square old-fashioned wooden clock 00
the mantelpiece of the sitting room had
Just droned off seven mellow hour, when
the faint echo of Its music wss drowned
by the crunch of gravel; there was the
quick step of somebody coming up the drive;
then the wooden steps gave hollow notice.
The visitor's advent was announced again
by the brass knorker on the front door.
"I'll go," said Allls, as her mother rose.
The girl knew who It was that knocked, not
because of any sane reason. She simply
knew that It was Mortimer.
When sift opened the door, he stepped
bark hesitatingly. Was he not a criminal
was he not about to leave bis position be
cause cf theft?
"Come in," she, said quietly; "I am glad
you have come."
"Shall I? I Just want to speak to you
for a minute; I said I would come. We can
talk here on the veranda, can't we?"
"I would rather you came Inside; there
is no resson why you should not."
"If you don't mind, I should like to be
alone with you."
"Very well, come into this front room;
we shall not be disturbed."
"I am going away," he began; "I can't
tand it here."
"You have done nothing nothing to clear
yourself?"
Nothing .' V
"And you won't?"
"No." '
"I this wise?"
"It's the only course left me "
There was a silence for a long mtnute.
They were both standing. The girl broke
tbe stillness.
"I am glad you have come, because I can
tell you again that I know you are inno
cent. I know it, because my heart repeats
it a thousand times a day. I listen to tbe
email voice and I hear nothing else."
"You never waver you never doubt?'
"Never." .
"You never will? ,
"Never."
"Then I don't care. Other men have had
their misfortunes thrust upon them and
have stood It without complaining, have had
less to solace them than you have given
me now, and I would be a coward If I even
complained. Some day perhaps you will
know that I am worthy of your faith God
grant that the knowledge brings you no
fresh misery there, forgive me, I have
said too much; I am even now a coward.
If you will say goodby, I'll go."
"Goodby, my hero." She raised her face,
down which were trickling many tears, and
held out her band, brokenly, as one searches
in the dark, for the room was swimming
about her, and Just faintly she could see
this man's strong face coming to her out
of tbe gloom like the face of a god. He
took her hand. "Goodby," be said; "if if
fate wills it that my Innocence be known
ome time, may I come back? Will you
wait, believing in me for a little?"
"Forever."
"Allls" It was the first time. he had
ever called her Allls. It broke down the
last faint girlish restraint
He drew her to him by the hand he still
clasped, and put his strong arms about her.
What mattered it now that he had been
falsely accused what mattered it to either
of them that he must accept the grim
penalty of bis endeavor? With them, in the
soft gloom was nothing but love, and faith
and Innocence, and within the strong arms
a sense of absolute security, a though the
false, accusing world had been baffled,
beaten down and the victory theirs, love.
He raised the girl's face and kissed It.
"Let God witness that I press your pure
lips In Innocence," he said, "and in this
pledge I love you forever and ever."
"Amen," came from Allls involuntarily.
It sounded to them both like the benedic
tion of a high priest.
He repeated mechanically, "Amen." To
speak again would have been sacrilege.
He put her from him gently, turned away
and walked quickly from the house.
(To Be Continued.)
Ante Room Echoes
November 20, Thursday Is the date for
the ceremonial session of the Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine of Tangier temple, and that
seeslon will be the most ambitious under
taking ever prepared by tbe temple, for it
will be In tbe nature of an entertainment to
the members of imperial council, and will
be the first ceremonial session to be held
since the elevation of Colonel Akin to the
position of imperial potentate. It is not
known at this time how many of the mem
bers of the Imperial council will be pres
ent, but invitations will be sent to all
of them and It is hoped that the entire
council will be present.
The prospect is for a large number of
candidates for honors of nobility and the
members are arranging to give them tbe
time of their lives before the heads of the or
der in the United States. The work will be
done at the Masonic temple, but the ban
quet may not be given in the usual ban
quet hall, aa It 1 not believed that it will
hold the crowd which will be present. At
tbe last session it wss impossible for all
of the members present to sit at the tables
and this session promises to be much larger
than the last, which was tbe largest in
the history of Tangier temple. It has been
suggested that the banquet be apread at
the Woodmen hall In tbe Crounse block and
thia may be done.
Mount Calvary commandery. Knight
Templar, Is making preparations for the
advancement of a large class. Applications
are on hand from thirty-two persons who
desire honors of knighthood, and the even
ing of their initiation may be made a red
letter day for the order.
Nebraska lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias,
is preparing for a season of activity. Dur
ing tbe warm weather there haa been but
little rank work, but the rank team will
be busy from now cn; there are a num
ber of applications on file, and as soon
a they are acted upon, active work In con
ferring rank will be resumed. All mem
bers of the team should fee la attendance
at the convention, Monday, Oct. 27th, as
the work for the coming season will be
outlined and arranged by the master of
work.
Tbe lodge is also preparing for an en
tertainment to be held on the occasion of
Its anniversary, November 19th, and it 1
also proposed to hold regular monthly en
tertainments, at which some member of the
lodge will read a paper on some Impor
tant and Interesting subject. During the
past season Nebraska lodge No. 1 In
augurated this method of entertainment,
and the members have been well enter
tained and Instructed in various subjects;
the program for tbe coming season will
be even better than the past, and those
absenting themselves from lodge during the
winter will have reason to regret It.
At the meeting of the lodge last Monday
night there waa an unusually large at
tendance; the affairs of the committer on
entertainment of the grand lodge made their
final reports, and the grand representatives
announced they would exemplify the secret
work at the next meeting. Past Chancellor
Wulpi was elected district deputy grand
chancellor for the coming year.
The hoard of managers of tbe Woodmen of
the World held session last week at
Omaha. There were present A. C. Fine cf
Norfolk, Va., N. B. Maxey of Muskogee, I.
T., and J. E. Fitzgerald of Kansas City.
Tbe board passed upon the books of the
officers and inspected the work. They
found a total of $423,lJ in the emergency
fund, a balance of $215,628 in the beneficiary
fund, with all allowed claims paid, and a
balance of $$),915 In the general fund.
The finance commltt will meet ' tbls
week. It consists of 3. C, Root, John T.
Ytes, B. W. Jewell, George W. Wooley and
S. G. Blalue.
Clan Gordon No. 63, Order of Scottish
Clans, held regular meeting In Continental
building Tuesday evening, when a large
number of members turned out. Three)
good men and truo were Initiated and after
business the social features were proml
nent. Clansman McBeth from Chlrago wa
present and played tbe pipes, much to thqj
pleasure of the company. Adam Jamleou
sang a couple of sonars, as did Robert Kerr
and R. G. Watson. Clansmen Thomas FaW
coner, F. O. Burdtck, Charles Ross and
James C. Lindsay also contributed to the .
entertainment. The clan will hold a Hat -lowe'en
social Friday, the list. In clan room,)
Continental building, at 8 o'clock. All are
Invited who can boast of Scottish blood.
Come and have a good time and bring tho
women.
Member of Mayflower garden Of the .
Gardeners were agreeably urprlsed on
Thursday evening last when, under "good
of the order," the entertainment commit
tee announced a program of cards and danc-. '
tng, in which the members indulged until
tlia M.I .nrnrlo. ft ym .vnnlnv VII anFlinr
by suddenly opening the door of the ante
room where a spread of ice cream and cako
awaited annihilation and was very quickly
annihilated. Much credit 1 due the com
mittee for the skillful manner In which
the plan and the arrangements were ex-
ccuted.
An Interesting program will be given
Monday evening, October 27, by the various
Ancient Order of United Workmen and
Degree of Honor lodge of the city, uniting
to celebrate the thirty-fourth anniversary
of the founding of the oldest fraternal and
beneficial order in the world. Speeches by
Grand Master Workman Jaskalek, Nelson
C. Pratt and Past Grand Master Workman
Van Dyke.wlth muslo by the Alpha quartet
meeting opens promptly at 8 o'clock p. m.' :
Members and friends invited.
MEMBERS BADLY DISGUSTED
Disturbances In House of Common.
Casus Several to Declare They
Will !tot SeeU Tte-Klectlon.
LONDON, Oct. 25. So bitter ha become!
the feeling because of the recent disturb
ances in the House of Commons that sev
eral of the older members have privately
declared they will not seek re-electloH.
In response to vigorous declarations by
some of his supporters, who regard their
peace of mind as superior to political con
siderations which involve rowdyism.
Premier Balfour has promised to exercise
the closure with a stronger hand than he
has ever before attempted.
The benefits to be derived from this
course are doubtful, as tbe nationalists
have shown an ingenious mastery over the
difficulties of House of Commons procedure,
and much Irritation is felt on the govern
ment benches over the fact that Mr. Bal
four's new rules, which, were Intended to
expedite business, have proved an ex
cellent weapon with which to delay it.
A severe application of the closure also
will tend to produce vigorous protests on
the part of tbe liberals, who In such case
will combine force with the nationalists.
How speedily tbe "mother of Parliaments"
is legislating at present can be' Judged from
the fact that la seven days'. debate only
eleven lines of the education bill have been
adopted.
NEW RIVAL FOR MONTE CARLO
Concession Granted for Maanlflcent
Gambling: ralace on IsIanoV
of Corfu. j
(Copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing Co.)
ATHENS, Oct. 25. (New York World Ca
blegram Special Telegram.) The schemt
to convert the beautiful Island of Corfu
Into another Monte Carlo Is taking definite
shape. The municipal authorities have let
to a syndicate of foreign capitalist the old
British cemetery at Corfu, on which to
erect a casino. This ia a direct violation
of tbe treaty under which Great Britain
ceded the Ionian Isles to Greece, and It
I expected that a British protest will be
lodged. The lease is for thirty years.
Tbe syndicate baited it hook with prom
ises of handsome concessions to Corfu, in
cluding a reversion of the wholo establish
ment to tbe municipality at the end of the
term. The casino will have a situation
and aurroundlngs of exquisite beauty and
visitors will enjoy the best winter climate
in Europe. It is expected that the casino
will draw the most of Its customers from
Russia and central Europe, though ' the
Greeks themselves have the reputation of
being the greatest gambling race on earth.
SULTAN CUTS DOWN EXPENSES
Superfluous Harem ' Beauties to Be
Married OBI to Minor
Official.
(CoDyrlsrht. 1902. by Pres Publlshlna Cn.t
rnKBTIKTINnPTH -. IK IK.s V.V
World Cablegram Special Telegram.) Tha
sultan has bexun to reform his feminine
establishments. Although nominally he haa
only one harem, it is divided Into several
sections, that in the Ylldls Kiosk, as hi ;
palace is caneo, Deing tne largest ana most
Important. On three point on the Bos.
phqrus there are other establishments,
which are recruiting place for tbe central
harem in tbe Ylldls JUobK.
Kiosk harem, at a moderate estimate la ..
. r r aaa - .1 , t. - . .
0-0, uw 11 year, auu mo uiuvr mrof csisd-
llshmonU together cost $150,000. Tha totsl "
... a V. AAA -
nxyvumn uuw iv .vuuuw f-uu,wv n
year. Mlzl Bey, the chief eunich. has been
entrusted with the task of weeding out
tbe superfluities, who are to be married t -
nffln.r. anif nfTlptala Th anltan Vi V. n
induced also to set his face against much .;
of the Infanticide which take place In tha
secret recesses of bis palace.
EDUUAI INli IHt f AKIS KULICb
M. Bertlllon I'nderinlcea to Teach '
Them Hi System of Recog-
alslnar Men. :
PARIS, Oct. 25. (New York World Ca- i
blegram Special Telegram.) Alphons
Bertlilon of antbropo-metrlo fame, haa ;
undertaken to educate the Paris police In
the art of describing faces. An interesting
part of tbe Instruction is that special value, 1
Is attached to the ear. No two ear ara
alike. Therefor that organ is chosen as
the bsse of tbe system employed. Close
attention is also given to noses. Each "
policeman gets an album containing 1,000
photos (full face and profile) of person !
expelled from Pari. To facilitate the re-j
search these portrait are grouped method -Ically,
according to height, ears and nosey
It is believed that when the polio becoma!
familiar with Bertlllon' system recognl. -tlon
of criminal will be - greatly facllU'
tattd. I -
Water Turned la Canal. 'j
BAL'LT STE. MARIE. Ont.. Vt. ! . 7.
Water wa turned into the new canal and,
th wheel In the big power house wer ,
started her today. A clvto and military J
parade wss held la tbs street and la tha j
afternoon aa Industrial parade was (tvt