The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-07

| ''AfJ N'A' ch PiNttNi Nllll IltT SO earnestly
never to reveal that the child was moi
your own? Why did you even say that
II the truth We're known it might bring
you to the gallows:"
Surprises like this may startle the
calmness of effrontery, but there are
few surprises sufficiently strong to over.
come the calmness of despair Mr.. Dive
was utterly unmovcd. He replied in his
sombcrest tones:
Sir, you must be aware that the
moribund when approaching dissolution
enters frequently into stage of hallu-
clnation. The mind wanders If 1t were
worth while to defend myself, / should
say that my poor wife was not herself;
that she exaggerated.
This was simply unanswerable, and
strangely enough it was the first time it
had occurred to Maxey. The artist felt
the groundwork of his hopes giving way
beneath him, but he forced himself to
assume skeptical air and to proceed
fou can tell me- Isupposc, how you
became possessed of this child'?'
'Sir, / can assuredly." "
LII the name of goodness, vary your
form of address little" cried Maxey
exasperated by the inevitable PREDATORY
'sir. " Mr.. Dye looked up with mild
surprise in his faded eyes.
Since it annoys you, sir will /"
1T Is unnatural, and you put it on for
effect. !"
You are gentleman, sir. / cannot
contradict You
Maxey bit his lip. s.s .... ..
n
BE kind enough, then, to go on"
1t was dark night, sir" said Mr.,
Dye, looking as though he were drawing
the whole scene ont of the ruffled sur.
face of his forlorn hat Il was coming
home from a low resort / stumbled
up my steps unsteadily and fell over a
bundle that was lying outside my door.
1t was little Annette, stupetied by the
effects of some drug which had been
given her. | took her in to my wife.
and that poor, unfortunate woman who
wrecked her life when she married me
conceived an affection for her at once.
We never had any children. She desired
to keep her. permitted her to do so.
That is the whole story. Do not think |
wish to he short with you l will an.
swer any question you think it worth
your while to address to me. E"
"Did you leave the city Immediately
after you found the child?"
II did ......5 ..-.....-
"Why?"
MY business, perhaps it would be
franker to say my means of livelihood,
necessitated il. "
What has been your means of live
lihood2"
'Swindling in all its various forms" /"
MaNey sat staring in bewildermeut for
some minutes
by what methods?'
by the meanest methods. Do YOU
wish me to give catalogue of my
crooked ways? 1t would no doubt be in
structiye to you.
Never mind that, F" cried Maxey, with
sudden energy Answer me this; Were
you concerned in the attempt to murder
this child Annette:"
Mr.. Dye sprang to his feet with force
that overturned his chair and stood with
Mortified look fixed full on the artists
face His lip tronIled and his voice fal.
tered when he asked:
rs that's that your suspicion"
Il am not here to talk of suspicious.
am asking you plain question, sus.
ceptilla Of plain answer /"
Gradually the Mortified look faded out
of his face The lack luster eyes sought
the surface of tllc lat ngain He turned
and carefully r77ta: d tEn chair to an up.
right position bofure he replied:
II would rather, | would much rath-
er, sir, the accusation sEDuld come in
any other form, bat go Oh. sir, go on
even i'll this. If there has bccn such an
attempt, arrest lac, try me, "dnyict me,
hang me. am utterly Unworthy of the
least respect, rs y0u rs.tiize a tlan who |
would stead would kill Ho woa!d shoot
down eY'u the young and innogeut girl |
who tru5t2 him. Go on, sir shall not
oppose you.
Il am half mind to take you at your
word! cried Maxey, rising and impa,
tiently pacing the huor
81 shall not resist you, sir. "
I'D }n1 q to tell me that you do
no+ ..'tt