Frederick citizen., 1895-01-04

ule, lot L nave nothing now to live for,
and yet, stay-I have something to do.
Five years is not an eternity, and dur
ing that period 1 will do my best to
unravel the mystery. I acted too has
tily, however plain facts may have
appeared, and however damning the
evidence against him, 1 cannot believe
Paul could have been mad enough to
nave committed such a crime"
That is right" said the doctor en-
couragingly. Give yourself some oc-
cupation, cease to brood over the past,
and l will lay any wager you like that
In a few months time, and with the
assistance of the Good Angel, you will
be another man again."
On the day appointed fly drew ur
TO the door of the bankers house, and
closely cloaked female figure des-
cended from it. Silas Partell, who had
come into the hall on hearing the
sound of carriage wheels, stepped for
ward and accosted his visitor:
Welcome to Marlake Friars, Mrs.
- He paused, for at that mo-
ment 1t flashed across his mind that
the doctor had mentioned no name by
which he could address the new conner
to Crumplebury.
Il have no name" said the woman
speaking in low and melodious accents
the poor people address me as Sister
Mercy; you can do the same
Il have come" continued the woman,
"at the request of my good friend the
doctor. do not care much for giving
my time to the rich, but suffering and
sin make all equal'
"Sln" repeated Silas Partell.
rs not hasty judgment a sln?" re.
torted Sister Mercy, land unless report
falsely accuses you, you have been
guilty Of that act, and terrible conse-
quences have resulted from your do
ing So However, I have not come to
talk of the past, but to act in the pres
ent and see what can be done for the
future"
And now new phase of the bankers
life commenced. for Sister Mercy began
to exercise a strong fascination over
him. The expression of dislike which
had appeared upon her face in the first
meeting had now entirely disappeared,
the most tender solicitude. When the
dark hour of depression stole over him
she would go to the piano and her fin
gers as they strayed over the notes
would draw forth the widest melo.
dies, which had an inexpresSibly soOth-
ing effect upon the bankers unstrung
nerves. At other times she would take
up a book and read to him, with a
clear intonation and depth of feeling
which would keep him for hours lis
tening to the sound of her voice. When
the weather would permit she would
take him out into the grounds, for
nothing would induce Silas to go be-
yond his gates. from the nervous drea.
Of encountering those black looks and
hostile glances which had shortly after
his brothers condemnation wounded
his heart 50 deeply. Sometimes he
fancied that he detected a strange look
which he could not explain in Sister
! Mercy's face. but in an instant it
would pass away and the old quiet
calm still mingled with the shadow
Of sadness would resume It's sway.
And now as they grew more intimate,
their conversation frequently turned
upon the terrible past.
"You would do no good by crushing
down the recollections." Sister Mercy
would observe. better give 1t free
vent. there is always a certain amount
of relief in speech, besides surely there
must be some clue to this strange mys-
terry"
"I am convinced that-well, what can
I say?" answered Silas Partell, "the
evidence was so clear and direct
then, the finding Of the notes upon him.
and the key of the draw in which
kept my check-book. When I think
it all over, | sit puzzling my brains
until it seems as II must go mad"
DO not excite yourself" said Sister
Mercy, soothngly, "but think over the
matter calmly. Paul. your brother,
said that he picked up the key in the
/ front Of the house. and placed 1t in
his pocket without knowing to what 1t
belonged"
That may be-" replied the banker.
but coupled with the abstraction OF
the check, and the discovery of the
notes in his bag. it made matters very
awkward for him."
! Sister Mercy made little impatient
movement with her hand. And so,
after all. you think him guilty?" said
she.
II do not know what 7 think" an.
swered Sias. I'm my dreams I some
times have an incoherent idea that
can see the man that forged and pre-
sented the check. and that he is not
Paul, but all is shadowy and indistinct.
No man, unless he was beside himself
and thoroughly unconscious of his act
ions, would have acted in such a
manner"
The young woman gazed at him
keenly for moment, and then said
thoughtfully-'T believe you are right
bot is, Of hi
senses would have committed such an
act. You had an angry discussion with
your brother the day before the forg-
cry was discovered?'
How did you know that?" demand
ed Silas. in some surprise.
Servants are curious as to their
masters doings. and in addition will
talk" answered Sister Mercy, but you
did not answer my question"
do you know what was the subject
Of our discussion?" asked the banker.
"I do" returned the woman, with
sharp quick catching of her breath
"I admit that 1 did not like the no.
tion of his marriage with an actress"
pursued Silas, land that spoke cruel
ly and hastily; then one of my fits
came upon me, and as lay in seeming
unconSclOuSneSS on the coucn, 1t APP
peared to me as If the scenes of my
boyhood fitted before my eyes. I saw
Paul and myself wandering over field
and meadow, during one of my rare
holidays, l recollect how boldly he once
turned and faced an angry bull upon
whose domain we had intruded: l re-
collected the affectionate terms we had
always been on. and 1 felt that after
all Paul was not likely to bring into
the family a woman who would have