Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-09-27
CHAPTER XN1II.

Mrs. Priolo entered the sittingroom
with an air Of detiance-the air of one
who knows that she has the best of
the position-and, without waiting for
an invitation, only vouchsafing a
grim How dye do?' sat down beside
the fire.
1T is bitterly cold" she said, look
Ing round leisurely.
1T is indeed. !'his winter has been
very severe one,' answered Elaine,
gently.
Colonel Severn stood erect, disdain-
liz. even an appearance Of frlendliness,
ready III a moments notice to do bat
tie on his lady-love's behalf.
There was short silence; then Mrs.
Priolo spoke again
Il have come to look after my own
interests"
4 don't think there is any one
anxious TO defraud you calculated
Severn. sharply.
She turned with n jerk and faced
him.
II am not so sure of that. A lawyer
has been here and a fresh will made,
/ near; bat am not at all put out by
that"
No one answered, and she went on,
vehemently
Last time we discussed matters
you had the advantage colonel You
made me sign a confession of what /
had done in the matter of that arsenic.
Have you that paper safe?'
1T Is at my lawyers
And is not worth the ink 1t was
written with. There Is not soul in
England for whose opinion ! care now
that Mr.. Bowyer is dead. You can
make what use you please of 1t, Col
onel Severn; and | shall observe the
same freedom OF action as regards the
knowledge that | possess.
You will do as you please. Of
course said Severn, quietly.
You think" she went on, mali
clously, that, because a will has been
executed in your favor, you are mis-
tress of the situation; but we shall
see"
II am quite sure" said Elaine, her
sweet clear tones sounding in pleasant
contrast to the others angry shrillness,
that Mr.. Bowyer will not have for
gotten the faithful service of so many
years.
You may call it service II you
choose" answered the woman imperti-
nently; "but you can't get rid Of the
fact that / am his sister-in-law, the
only connection he had in the world"
Elaine did not reply; and Colonel
Severn also maintained silence, tug
ging at his long mustache with an air
Of being bored that the housekeeper
found infinitely CALLING.
"You take the matter with a high
hand" she cried; but you may find
yourself In the wrong box after all.
Perhaps you are not aware that GRIM
inals forfeit all right of property?
When / tell all can, I'd like to know
what good Mr. Bowers money viii
do either of you then"
Colonel Severn stepped forward
hastily and placed protecting arm
round Elaine's waist.
ITO whom do you refer under that
insulting nameT' he asked haughtily.
ITO Elaine Warrington, who MUIR
dered her sister nearly three years
ago at sydney"
"Pshawl You know as well as ] do
the utter absurdlty OF that accusation"
IF she is innocent, she will have TO
prove it''-doggedly.
THAT she can easily do The real
murderer has confessed; she holds the
confession In her hand"
The honsekeeper stared at the paper
blankly, the conviction coming slowly
to her that the value OF her secret
knowledge was indeed gone.
Then | am at liberty to tell the law
yers all known she observed pleas
antly, rising from her seat as she
spoke.
''Oh, no, no. nor bust from Elaine's
white lips; and the colonel fastened to
explain.