The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-23

enough no doubt, bgs 1t is enough for my
present purpose that she knows she stands
in deadly peril. TO bring heE % trial and
have her sentenced would be q relief to
her. l wish to punish her myself. She
did what she could to get an innocent man
hanged in her stead. l will keep the same
rope dangling over her head till she is
ready to draw the moose herself. There is
no law to punish adequately criminal like
herr
81 can understand her putting knife
into Mr.. Trent" observed Garcia HE
had given her the best of reasons to think
that she ought to be his wife, and, having
finished him, the manufacture of the mar
rlage certificate and of the will followed as
matter of course. Those are foibles and
become beautiful woman. 1t was her
treatment OF me that caused the iron to
enter my soul, and no torture is exquisite
and lingering enough to pay for it.'
How do you make that outln demanded
Tom, who could never quite satisfy him
self as to whether this parsonage were a
fool or jester.
Garcia went on, 'or robbed or starved, or
any commonplace matter like that But
she insulted my feelings, and that l can
never forgive. | loved her-yes-anyone
may know it now. l knew that she was
aiming at Trent, but she persuaded me that
II was his money she wanted, not him. and
In that way she used me. l ran her errands
and did her dirty work, believing that it
was me she really loved, and that Trent
was the fool, and that as soon as she car
ried her point she would snap her fingers
IN his face and be off with me. Yes, gen.
tlemen, she made me believe all that and
without once committing herself, either.
She is clever woman"
What had you against Trent?n Tom
asked.
Nothing in the world Quite the con-
trary. l met him first in Ceylon, where
he had gone to buy some jewels that one
of the native princes wanted to sell.
knew India and I knew the princes I
acted as go between and got the jewels
Tor Trent at 40 yer cent. off. He made me
present of the 40 per cent. as commission,
and from that time in one way or another
l was his agent. 1 understood gems as
well as he did, and that is saying dood
deal, and was often able to do things and
to make bargains that would have been
impossible for him. No one knew of our
relation-that would have spoiled my use
fulness-but l put him in the way of many
good thing and he always paid me well
for it. No, Harry Trent and l were the
best OF friends, but the best of friendship
can be ruined by woman
"Do you mean to say that you plotted
with ner against hlmF
II would have done it without doubt il
she had asked me,n Garcia replied. Eyes,
L would have taken that numbering con-
tract OF her hands if she had let me know
she contemplated it. But she didn't know
1t herself until the time came. She went
over to have serious talk with Trent that
night about the rumor that he was going to
marry another woman. His explanations
were not satisfactory; the dagger hap
pened to be lying handy, and she took the
hint. So far l find no fault; it's human
nature-femlnine nature anyhow. But
from that point on her course is indefen-
sible After I'd eing me to aid her in secur-
ing Trents by intimating that she
would mar soon as she got fast
hold Of it e d ped me in jail on
trumped up Inai OF stealing her jewelry
1t broke my hea ); l made no defense; she
had everything ready to choke me off In
case [ attempted to turn the tables on her,
but she might have spared herself the
trouble. went to jail and staid there two
years thinking it over. By the time [
came out | was ready for action, and
thanks to our friend, the count. who gave
me ten dollar gold piece, broken leg,
and the use of a capital of q couple OF
hundred Of millions, more or less-I have
put in my tirst blow. l am ready to follow
it up"
''Well, Mr.. Garcia" said Tom, crossing
his legs and scratching the back of his
head, "they say confession is good for the
soul, but pll tell you frankly, in the pres
eDce of Count de Lisle, that your story puts
me in mind of an old proverD''-
when thieves fall out honest men come
by tceir own!" Garcia interposed.
Eyes, sir; that is what meant"
~ acknowledge the impeachment" Car
cia interposed. "Once | was an honest
man, but better men than l might lose their
virtue if they fell in love with woman
like Salie Matchin.''
Count said Tom, ''you found me
poor man, AMI you have made me very
rich one. [ owe you everything. But three
years ago, when you bore another name,
you were a needy artist. Now scarcely
man living has wealth to compare with
yours. Before | knew that you were
keppel Darke l never bothered my head
about how you came by your money. But
things are different now. You couldn't
have made your fortune. Mercy knows
it's my interest to believe everything good
of you! But my wife and l would rather
go back to what we were before than profit
by anything that isn't lair and above board
DO you want to say anything about itl"
"What | have, | found" said Count de
Lisle. mo crime was involved in nv
taking possession of it. 1t never had a
legitimate owner. 1t never can have one
more legitimate than /. Some time after
discovered it L met the man who had called
it his. / told him that | had IT, and how
and when I got it. He acquiesced in nv
ownership, and so far as he could made me
his heir. The time was gone by when it
could have been of use to him, and it was
his wish, for reasons that be thought
wise, that none of his descendants
should learn of its existence. 1t had
caused only disaster so far, he said, he
bade NE, If it were possible, to do some
good with it. That is how the matter
stands, Banniok. l tell it, not for my sake.
but for yours; for L comprehend your
scruples, and wish you to feel at ease in
the enjoyment Of what you have. | am
glad, too, that you should understand what
| could not explain at hrst-thst what I
have done for you was @ simple act of
gratitude You did all you could to save
my life, and L intend to give you reason to
be glad that am alive"
''.Tis strange story, count" said Ten
gravely.
sit is the truth, Bannick Some day
perhaps l will give you the names that
will confirm 1t, but not now; and you are
not the first to whom they must be told.n
II see, but you have told her nothing at
ell as yet?'
No; that is difficult problem. If fail
there, all is failure. [ am jelous of NY
self, and she must be faithful by being
uufathful. But let that pass are you salts
tied?"
He held out his hand as he spoke. Tom
rose and struck his own into it. 81 be-
heve you are a true man." he said. You
have bleached your hair and beard, and
you wear eyeglasses and title; but there's
nothing wrong with you inside l never
thought there was; but Pm glad to here
it out of your mouth. Now, what are you
going 10 do!''
ITO speak Of personal matters. There
are three principal ones: to settle my ac-
count with Mrs. Matchin, to get married,
and to appear in New York in my own pro-
per person. They depend on one another.