The morning call., 1893-02-10

man is L saw downstairs just now.
The girl raised her dropping lasbes and
shot curious, penetrating glance at him.
"A new lodaer. He only arrived couple
of hours ago."
HAS he ever stayed here before?"
No; he's a stranger"
HAS he asked you any questions about
me?"
The pink had faded from Kitty's face by
now and left it rather white aud trouble d.
She withdrew her hand from the door
handle behind her and passed it over her
brow as though her head ached.
Eyes, he was very curious about you He
seemed to think until he saw you that you
were friend of his.
And of course you told him all he wanted
to know ?"
'Of course" she echoed.
lie put down the poker and seated him.
self in an armchair with his head sill
turned from her.
THANK you, Kitty" he said gently; 81
won't keep you any longer"
After the girl had quilted the room Mr.
Blair's conduct was somewhat peculiar.
He rose, and from the shelter Of the lace
window curtains surveyed the street up
and down.
AT the nearest corner seedy man was
lounging, the same one who had dispatched
Driscol's message. he was still visible in
half an hour-in an hour-in two hours.
When George Blair withdrew from his
post OF observation on the last occasion. the
spasmodic manner in which he elias ped and
unclasped bis hands betrayed that he was
disturbed. He had hardly resumed his
chair when some one entered rapidly and
without the ceremony OF knocking. 1t was
Kitty.
"The house is being watched" she cried !:
do you know tt?'
He caught his breath sharply.
why do you tell me this ?''
ON L f14yf Is tGo,,
it most concerns; you whom they are
watching; you who are hiding from JUS
tce under false name! That man down.
stairs is detective, I'm sure of it.
caught him speaking to his satellite out
side. He is here to apprehend Robert
Weston. the forger. whose crime was in
every newspaper month agOF
lyon are mad! My name is George
Blair"
Then why did you ahix the initials r.
W. to the remarks you scribbled in that
book | lent you last week."
Perhaps she had hoped he could ex-
plain the circumstance somehow, for when
a h0rror-strieken ejaculation escaped his
lips she drew back as though he had struck
her.
you are villain" she painted. land I
thought YOU were an honest man.'
Hush! You doD't know what you're
saying and how it hurts. May | ask you
If you have shown my handwriting to that
spy below %
81 have not shown It, What do you take
me- for. Mr.. Weston? | came not only to
warn you but to help You TO escape II l can.
because-oh, because I'm fool, l sup
pose"
You believe me q forger and yet you
will try to save mew
A sudden light dawned in the young mans
face. He strobe forward and gripped her
wrist. Kitty" he cried. Kitty, is it pos
slbie you care for me %
Don't touch mel Don't dare to speak
to me like that" She wreHched herself
free.
do You forget what you are ?"
Kitty, | am innocent. That fatal cheek
l uttered was forged by another mana
man who called me friend Branscombe,
Lord EIwood's son. / believed 1t genuine,
on my soul did, aud handed every penny
of the money to him.
And when | heard that his father had
disowned the signature / inplored him in
vain 10 speak. he told nle plainly he would
not ruin himself to save me. He advised
me tn fly the country, and-think Of ID,
Kitty !-offered me by way OF rec0mpeDs So
Ter my disgrace few paltry pounds of his
ill-gotten gains.
my word would have been powerless to
clear me. and he knew it.. curse him!
should have been throwing away my lIb-
erty for naught If / had stayed 10 face the
trial As God hears me, every word Of this
is true
.Yon believe meP"
kitty. dear Kittyw
"Robertp'
Then you do care for me a little?"
Il love you with all my hearth
The girl started from him with a sort of
moan.
"Oh, this is foly-madnessl l am max
Ing you waste the precious time. You must
leave this house and Brighton at once
While you remain here you may be arrested
at any moment"
You forget-how can get away when
my shadow awaits me on the threshold {?
10 attempt to quit the house would prob
ably only hasten the end. Escape is i'm
possible. | fear so don't leave me, Kitty :;
make my last hours Of freedom happy
ones"
Robert. don't talk ike that! Ii you are
taken | shall die. Surely there is some
thing to be done. We must contrye some
plan of getting you out of the house in dis
gutse-we mustr'
Too late, Kitty Listenp'
She listened, with her hand to her heart
ard an agony of apprehension on her face,
Heavy footsteps were ascending the stairs
The door opened quickly. ard Mr. Driscoll
appeared. An orange-coored envelope and
telegraph form were erumpled in his
hand. He flashed a curious glance from
Kitty TO the young man.
Excuse my intrusion" he said, ciyilly /:
| am an officer from Scotland Yard. and |
am here TO inform you. Mr.. Robert Weston,
that the prosecution against you is with
drawn.
Lord Branscomba died this morning
from Injuries sustained in the hunting
field. after confessing that he was the writer
OF the forged check. The earl earnestly
begs that you will return to the abbey in
order to resume your stewardship at once.
| wish you good afternoon. sir"
GOD is very good" murmured Robert.
reverently. He placed his arm about the
girl and drew her near to him. Kitty,
sweetheart. when shall it be ?''-Chambers'
Journal.