The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-10-09

but l put him in the way of many
good thing, and he always paid me we'll
for it. No; Harry Trent and l were the
best of friends, but the best of friend
ships can be ruined by woman"
''Do you mean to say you plotted with
her against him."
81 would have done it without
doubt if she had asked me-" Garcia re-
Piled. Eyes, l would have taken that
numbering contract off her hands if she
had let me known she contemplated it.
But she didn't know it herself till 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 happened
to be lying handy, and she took the hint.
So far find no fault; it's human nature
feminine nature anyhow. But from
that point on her course is indefensible.
After inducing me to aid her in securing
Trent's plumber by intimating that she
would marry me as soon as she got fast
hold Of it she clapped me in Jail on
~ u uIlIl CN ny Nllttl VI GlttllLlS5 IINL
jewelry. 1t broke my heart: made no
defense; she had everything ready to
choke me Off in case [ att g.: ted to turn
the tables on her, but she might have
spared herself the trouble | went to
Jail and staid there two Years think
ing it over. By the time l came out l
was ready for action, and thanks to our
friend, the count, who gave me Il ten
dollar gold piece, broken leg, and the
use Of capital of II couple of hundred
Of millions, more or less-I have put in
my first blow. | an ready to follow
it up"
"Well. Mr.. Garcia, said Tom. cross
ing his legs and scratching the back Of
his head, they say confession is good
for the .o"l, but I'll tell you frankly, in
the presence Of Count de Lisle, that your
story puts me in mind Of an old PROV
erb''-
"When thieves fall out honest men
come by their own" Garcia intcrp1sed.
Eyes, sir; that is what | meant"
Il acknowledge the impeachment
Garcia interposed. Once l was an hon
est man, but better men than might
lose their virtue if they fell in love with
a woman like Sallie Matchin."
Count" said Tom, ''you found me a
poor man, and you have made me IL rich
one. | owe you everything But three
years ago, when you bore another name,
you were needy artist. Now scarcely
man living has wealth to compare with
yours. Before / knew that you We're
Keppel Darke | never bothered my head
about how you came by your money.
But things are different now You
couldn't have madeyou fortune. Mercy
knows it's my interest to believe every
thing good of you! But my wife and |
would rather go back to what we were
before than profit by anything that isn't
fair and above board. Do you want to
say anything about it,
What | have. l found" said Count
de Lisle. mo crime was involved
in my taking possession of it. 1t never
had legitimate owner. 1t never can
have one more legitimate than l.
Some time after | discovered it | met
the man who had called it his. | told him
that had it, and how and when l got
it. He acquiesced in my 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 he
thought wise, that none of his descend
ants should learn of its existence. 1t had
caused only disaster 50 far, he said; he
babe Inc, If it We're possible, to do some
good with it. That is how the matter
stands, Bannick | tell it, not for my
sake, but for yours; for | 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
tirst-that what have done for you was
simple act of gratitude. You did all
you could to save my life, and l in
tend to give you reason to be glad that
am alive"
IT'S Il strange story, count" said
Tom gravely.
cit is the truth, Bannick. Some day
perhaps l will give you The names that
Will cOnufm II, DuC not now; ana you
are not the first to whom they must be
told"
81 see, but you have told her nothing
at all as YETI"
'No; that is difficult problem. If l
fail there, all is failure. | am jealous
Of myself, and she must be faithful by
being unfaithful. But le5 that pass. Are
you satisfed?'
He held out his hand as he spoke. Tom
rose and stuck his own into it. Il be-
lieve you are true man, he said. you
have bleached your hair and beard, and
you wear eyeglasses and Il title; but
there's nothing wrong with you inside
l never thought there was; but I'm glad
to here it out Of your own mouth. Now,
what are you going to do?'
ITO speak of personal matters. There
are three principal ones; to settle my &C
count with Mrs Matchin, to get mar
ried, and to appear in New York in my
own proper person. They depend on one
another. Until it is established beyond
possibility Of question who the real muir
derer of Harry Trent was it cannot be
known that Keppel Darl,e is alive, and
10 T