The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-08-03

| tohiy. iEiChdTu WIS again III serious
difficulty, and she wrote to me with
out his knowledge, he having told her
then for the first time how often had
helped him before, saying that he could
not ask me again. | went TO her, and
found matters about as bad as they
could be. Richard was desperate and
half ashamed to see me. BY a terri
BILE struggle, and pledging my credit
to the utmost limit, L managed, as /
thought, to set him straight. 7 be-
heve Alice would have gone down
upon her knees to thank me had let
her; and Richard thanked me. too, but
did not seem quite Mt ease. | was glad
to get away from them, and | made
arrangements to leave England again.
To be perfectly truthful, my resources
were so reduced that | meant to set
tie in some continental town where
living was cheap. All my preparations
were made, when L received tele-
gram:
g Come to me at once ALICE
Wondering what new complica-
ton had arisen for T could read trou-
bic in the messaSe-I went.
alice was alone.
g Robert, she said, clutching my
arm, and there was look of horror in
her eyes, SIS it true?'
g Is what true?'
Z" That Richard is n thief?'
No. Who has said SOP
We were dining out last night
and L overheard twomen talking about
Richard. They We're surprised to see
him there. One of them said dis
tinctly that he had committed for
gerry with regard to some company
matter, and was liable to be arrested
Mt any moment
4" Nonsense, Alice! You are mis-
taken
"'They mentioned his name-R.
Denmore. Oh, Robert [ have been
brave through my troubes-heaven
knows L have-but if this is true it
will kill me-
"'Did these men appear to know
Richard well?' L asked.
"'No. They heard his name, and
then began to talk"
6 Have You said anything to Rich
ard about it?'
"'No.~ L ought to do it, but I am
coward, and dare not. If it is all a
lie he would never forgive me for
doubling him. II it is true-Robert.
you once promised to always he NV
frlend-you must save him, for my
sake and my child's.'
" Il am always your friend I an
swered, taking her hand in mine. Il
will find out all about this story. 1t is
all a mistake, probably; and if not,
there is more than one Il. Denmore.
for instance
81 was terribly afraid that the
story was true, but L spoke to lessen
her anxiety. The look of startled
hare came into her eyes, but [ did not
think about it until afterwards How
the men Alice overheard obtained
their information do not know, but
it was in substance true. A heartless
fraud had been committed, and appar-
emily by r. Denmore. [ was help
less. What could | do? And then
Alice's words and look took posses
sion of me. L think for n few DAYS /
was almost mad. i need not tell Won
how, link by link, the chain of evil
dence was forged helped to forge it
myself. 1T was easy. The fact Of my
preparations for leaving England, the
uncertainty of my destination, my
pledged credit.
81 was arrested, tried, convicted.
There was no mercy for the man
who, by heartless fraud, had brought
ruin and restitution to many--death
by suicide to more than one. was
sentenced to twenty years penal servi-
tude. Two months ago tomorrow I
regained my liberty"
He stopped-his tale was told.
''Denmore!" / exclaimed, starting
to my feet ''You did this for a
| brothers sake?"
"No; for the sake of the woman
loved"
cit was monstrous folly. 1t was
wicked"
at is over. D."
"And your brother?'
Gle remained silcnt.-has been
silent ever since. Things have pros
Pered with him--fortune is his
Twenty years is long time to re-
member. lie has quito forgotten
me "
''Scoundrell And his wife?"
81 do not know, Hnrgraves. but I
think she must have believed me
guilty You see, the evidence against
me was very strong"
was silent Presently Denmore
took some papers from his pocket.
81 saw this in shop window yester-
day, aud bought it," he said, handing
me n photograph con il was printed,
Hon. Richard Denmore aud wife
He has become famous. DO you recog-
nize the picture?'
Then I remembered the occupants
Of the carriage in the park
81 think / have kept my oath, Har.
graves
took his hand aud pressed it, but
/ did not speak. A lump was i'm my
throat, and words would not COME
The Home Queen