, 1889-04-18

''Miss Meeking." said Jim, 81 have done
you wrong. You're a better woman
than thought you"
The bar maid breathed a sigh Of relief.
''I'm glad you think SO, Mr.. Beresford.
I've been nearly out of my mind the last
few days, for it's one thing to have q
handsome young fellow making love TO
you and it's quite another to have muir
der on your mind. I've never been mixed
up in anything of the sort before, and it's
what I've no liking for, can tell you"
Nor J." returned Jim, with sympathy.
'Then, Mr.. Beresford," said Miss Meek
ing, as he moved to tho table where he
had laid his hat and stick, 81 suppose you
are not going to tell on this poor lad?"
Miss Meeking," said Jim, promptly,
$50 far as the poor lad is concerned, I
have neither feeling nor pity. l would
willingly see him hanged tomorrow. for
I think he richly deserves it. 1t is very
well for you to excuse him by saying that
he did not know what he was doing, that
he was not himself when he did it, and
for him to say he was in blind passion
and never meant it. On your part it's
mistake, but on his it's lie. If l had
suspected on the day of the inquest what
know now, nothing on earth, not even
tho considerations which will keep me
silent now, would have induced me not to
disclose the subject of that conversation
between Capt. Owen and myself, which
was full account of his interview with
you, and his annoyance at Mr.. Earle's
proceedings. AS it happened, he left the
ring with me, and have it now, so that
have but to speak the word to put the
rope about the young scoundrePS neck
As tell you, if it were only for him
would not hesitate; on the contrary, l
should do everything to help the law.
But when declined to speak, it was be-
cause did not believe he could have had
anything TO do with the matter, and it
was only last night that discovered the
truth Yet, although he persists that he
was In what he calls blind passion, and
did not know what he was about, even
last night he tried to my face to make me
believe that he thought me guilty of this
horrible crime, and it was only by the
merest chance that l happened to be able
to unmask him."
Then why do you spare him?" asked
the bar maid, in tone of genuine wonder
Because there are others to think of.
His father is very old man, infirm, and
In bad health. Such blow would be his
death. His people are all very good, and
would be crushed forever by a shame SO
horriblej he has sister who is en- angel,
who has always been taught to stand
aside because he is the boy, the heir. the
last OF the name 1t is for the sake of
these, and these alone, that l mean to
keep silent, though l know that ought
to speak.
'1t's good of you," said the bar maid.
Rdmiringly, 'for it will cost YOU Il good
deal, I've no doubt. I'm afraid, Mr.. Beres.
ford. that you'll find good many people
who'll be ready and willing to throw it at
you-the murder, I mean. But 1 hope
you and the young lady will be happy
Obi yes, guessed at once. hope she'll
never know it, poor thing, I'm sure
'.Miss Meeking," said Jim, you have
my best wishes for the future. I will
write to you by and by, when matters are
little more settled, and if send you q
little present in return for your straight
forwardness TO me this afternoon, hope
you won't refuse it,
Indeed 1 won't, Mr.. Beresford," she
said, quickly.
'And if ever there is anything can do
for you, be sure l shall be ready to do it, "
Jim went on, and then he held out his
hand, and she laid hers in it. And l
needn't 1sy. need ], that I'm very sorry
misiudged you at tirst?"
mot n word" said the bar maid, heart
Ny. And then they shook hands again,
and they parted. How relieved he was it
would be hard TO tell. OF course he knew
that no ought. in strict justice, 10 go and
tell the colonel everything, and simply
leave Tommy to his well deserved fate.
But he had taken the wrong upon his own
conscience for her-for her and the old
man who was SO proud of his good old
name and his own unstmned honor.
For the old mans sake? Ali and not
out of much consideration for him, for
was 1t not all for the sake of the one who
was only girl. the Earle who did not
count? Assurediy, yes.
It was not many days before young
Tommy Earle was ordered to r5tu<n to
headquarters, and another came IL take
bis place. also one of the senior subalterns !
came to relieve Beautiful Jim, who was |
% return 10 headquarters, and one Capt. |
Moore came to take up command of the /
And as soon as Jim found himself once
more in Blankhampton, the cnlnnRl told
lim that he could have ten days leave at
ny time that ho liked. Naturally
nouEh. he replied that he would like 10
ave it at once, for, i'll the course OF his
onversRtions with Tommy, he had elected
be fact that his father and sister had re- [
lrned to England and wero in truth at
leir town house at that very time.
Therefore. Beautiful Jim packed up his
aps-or had them packed up. which
mounts to the same thing-and took
mself oil TO London town, there to see
70 lady of his love. ,
The journey TO London seemed to him
rribly long one, although the train by |
lich he went was the fastest expressi~ |