The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-15

truth in relation to that matter is An
nette is not my child, and have no
claim or authority over her. / never
even legally adopted her. If she has
borne my name, it was because my late
wife wished it for the child's own sake.
She believed that it would be humiliat-
ing for the child to be brought up in the
knowledge that she had no name; that
she was in truth q waif whose parent
age was unknown. Iwould have given
much if the name we gave her had been
worth more for her own sake, but it was
the best that we could do under the cir
cumstqnces.
"Who were Annette's parents?
"God knows"
"And your"
"Sir, l am not in his confidence.
"You talk that way and expect me to
believe youp
"Sir, on the contrary, do not. Nei-
ther do / wish to be understood as in
dulging in profane levity. Ihave the ut
most respect for the Deity. He has, he
can have none for me-"
Maxey was astounded. 1t was not
alone the coolness of the man, but the
sincerity and despair with which he
seemed to speak. In spite of himself, the
artist began to believe him. For q mo-
ment he could not regain courage enough
to return to the attack. Mr.. Dye lifted
his faded eyes inquiringly from the con-
temptation of his hat.
"You don't believe me?" he said.
1T seems hardly possible. "
"Sir, it is the truth. For myself l
would not take the trouble to speak. For
her sake ! will say to you that take my
oath before Almighty God, as l hope for
mercy i'll the world to come, that do
not know who her parents We're"
He said this solemnly and impressive
ly. 1t produced a profound effect on
Maxey, who had never drifted away
from the religious teaching of his youth.
The name Of the Deity was very solemn
thing in his eyes. He could not under
stand why it should not be in the eyes
Of all men. Nevertheless he mustered
up courage to renew the battle.
IF this be true, why then did you
appear so excited on the night when you
put this child into your wife's arms?
Why did You plead with her so earnestly
never to reveal that the child was not
your own? Why did you even say that
if the truth were known it might bring
you to the gallows?"
Surprises like this may startle tho
calmness Of effrontery, but there are
few surprises sufficiently strong to over
come the calmness 81 despair. Mr.. DYE
was utterly unmoved He replied in his
somberest tones
"Sir, you must be aware that the
moribund when approaching dissolution
enters frequently into stage of hallu-
cination. The mind wanders. If it were
worth while to defend myself, l 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.
"You can tell me, suppose, how you
became possessed Of this child'T
"Sir, can assuredly."
In the name Of goodness, vary your
form Of address little" cried Maxey,
exasperatod by the inevitable PREDATORY
"sir." Mr.. Dye looked up with mild
surprise in his faded eyes.
"Since it annoys you, sir, will"
"lt is unnatural, and you put it on for
effect"
"You are gentleman, s,r. cannot
contradict you"
MaXey bit his lip.
"Be kind enough, then, to 90 on."
1t was a dark night, sir, said Mr..
Dye, looking as though he were drawing
the whole scene out Of the rufled sur
face of his forlorn hat. Il was coming
home from low resort. l stumbled
up my steps unsteadily and fell over a
bundle that was lying outside my door.
1t was little Annette, stupefied by tho
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 Lad any children. She desired
to keep her. ! permitted her to do so.
That is the whole story. Do not think
wish to be short with you. will an
wer any question you think it worth
your while to address to me-"
did you leave the city Immediately
after you found the child?"
II did"
"Why?"
"My business, perhaps it would be
franler to say my means of livelihood,
necessitated it."
"What has been your means of live.
lihoodF'
"SwindIing in all its various forms "
Maxey sat staring in bewilderment for
S9me minutes.
''By what methods?"
"By the meanest methods. Do you
wish me to give a catalogue of my
crooked ways? 1t would no doubt be in
structive to YOU"
"Never mind that, 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
q Mortified look fixed full on tho artist 8
face His lip trembled and his voice fall
tered when he asked:
SIS that's that your suspicion?"
81 am not here to talk of suspicious.
I am asking you a plain question, sus-
eptible Of plain answer"
Gradually tho Mortified look faded out
of his face. The lack luster eyes sought
tho surface Of the hat again. He turned
and carefully restored the chair to an up.
right position before he replied:
'T wOul1 rntbnr I yvor,11 ,ounL 9th