The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-02-02

The plush drapery trembled little
just then, the brass rings slipped over
the rods with emphatic little clinks.
and the imposing figure of Warren
Hamilton appeared, introducing a
startling addition to the tableau, as he
stood against the background of
bronze and crimson folds, his eyes
glowing, his whole presence so mas
terful and self-possesed. that Evelyn
gained more courage from it somehow
the moment she was over her first start
of surprise.
"a little cross-questioning is in Or
der now," he said quietly, as if pur-
suing the subject in the most natural
manner possible, keeping his eyes on
the fellows face.
He weakened visibly. He was not
prepared for this encounter. His eyes
fell before the keen glance that had
confused and confounded so many
witnesses in the court room.
'.You are n1y wife's brother"-here
Evelyn winced-"c charged with mes
sage from Seth Arnold, who is still
living" Warren continued.
"Yes," said the man, his eyes roam
ing uneasily.
''And the letter he sent is at hand?"
he asked, turning to Evelyn.
She took it from a drawer and
passed it to him. He glanced over it,
then surveyed Oscar with such eyes
that he only longed for trap-door or
an earthquake. He lacked the essen
tial bravado of successful villain
that was evident.
'.Can you give me his address?"
asked Warren.
Oscar hesitated.
'.No matter. | could set agents to
work vino would find him if he was in
the United Kingdom" Warren pur-
sued, conscious of his power over the
man; ''but | propose to clear up the
thing in short order. The confession
of forged letter and trumped-up
story is written all over you. You
may as well confess it with your
tongue"
''Well, then, it is a trumped-up
story" said Oscar, who found that his
only refuge was ''open confession" "
'She was rolling in comfort. l had
hard work at times to keep soul and
body together. raisedmoney enough
to pay my passage over. l meant to
tell big story and get big haul"
"Oh, Oscar!' Evelyn's tears of re-
lief were mingled with those of sor-
row for her wayward brother.
Strangely, she had never doubted
his story. The old dread and horror,
begotten by Seth Arnolds treatment,
had taken possession of and beclouded
her reasoning powers.
Warren stood looking from one to
the other. He comprehended Evelyn's s
reticence about this brother. Yet, as
he traced a likeness that stamped
them children of the same mother, he
softened toward the man, in whom by
some mysterious natural law the sins
of their ancestry had reappeared
startlingly, leaving his sister noble
and lovely beyond the custom of
womankind.
Oscar rose uncertainty. He wanted
to get from under the glance of those
eyes as soon as possible.
Evelyn opened Il drawer and took
out roll of notes.
'Won't you try to live a different
lifeP' she asked, as she handed him the
money.
''I'm afraid it isn't in me. I've got
to go my own road. l guess l was
born wrong," he said, as he pocketed
the notes.
He went out stumblingly. Evelyn
stood at the head of the stairway until
the front door closed upon him, then
went back to her husband.
The JOY of restored peace and con.
tidence was tempered by sadness for
the prodigal.
''He has spent thousands at the gam
ing table. He will never be any better
1t seems true, as he says, that he was
born wrong Evelyn told her hus-
band.
"My white lamb taken from
amongst wolves" Warren murmured
over her. leave you brother in higher
hands"