San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-10
but he was too much moysa by her

But he was too much moved by her
coming to be able to answer.
Inspector Borderham is charged
with the inquiry into the death of
Pierre Turrian. and am here looking
into things for the family. I am Mr.
Clifford, a private inquiry agent of
Southampton row, London, and well
known" He could not resist the little
self advertisement even at such mo-
ment
~ cannot speak before these gentle
men, Jaffray," said Lola. what I
have to say can be said to you-and to
Beryl, for she already knows every
thing, or nearly everything.
At this the police inspector pricked
mp his ears and looked across sharply
at Beryl, who noticed the action and
the look.
"Then we'd better go. inspector,
said Mr. Clifford, seeing the difficulty
and trying to get over it with rush.
Bet Inspector Borderham did not
move.
II really think it would be better for
me tn stay, Sir Jaffray," he said little
nervously, afraid to offend the baronet
and yet very unwilling to go.
II see no necessity whatever for your
presence, returned the baronet shortly.
"You must see that this matter has
now taken quite unexpected turn and
that you can do nothing. You can CO."
"You will accept the responsibility"
"What responsibility is that?" ex-
claimed Lola excitedly. "Do you mean
for my presence, sir? l tell you have
come back for the express purpose of
facing anything that any one may dare
to whisper against me, that should
not have come back had it not been for
the fact of Pierre Turrian's death, and
that shall remain"-she was going to
say "at the manor house" but checked
herself and ubstituted-"w where you
shall know perfectly well where to find
me whenever you wish. But now !
have something to say to my-to Sir
Jaffray, which concerns no one but
himself, and for the moment we must
be left together.
A fash of rapid thought convinced
the inspector that he could not possibly
do any harm by doing what was asked,
as he could easily shadow her ladyship
should she attempt to get away again.
II will do what you WISH" he said,
and with bow he left the room with
Mr.. Clifford.
As soon as the three were alone there
was long silence. The warmth with
which Lola had spoken to the inspector
died out, the pallor which all had no.
ticed on her first entry increased, and
she leaned back on the sofa ON which
she sat as though weak and striving to
collect her strength for a great effort
Sir Jaffray sat apart, torn by infinite
ly painful emotions Her first repulse
of him had reused multitude of dis
turbing thoughts in which his fears on
account of her madness, his doubts
about the part she had played in the
death of Pierre Turrian and his love,
quiokened into hot passion by the sight
Of her, were all mingled with new
and worst fear that her action was the
result of a resolve not to let him go
near her until she had confessed-what
he knew not He longed to rush and
take her in his arms and yet was held
back in conflict of doubts and fears.
Beryl sat quietly waiting for Lola to
tell in her own way the story of which
she knew the main features.
Lola broke the silence at length with
long, deep sigh. Then she said:
"Ah, Jaffray, have been madP'
The words SO fitted themselves to
his worst fears ON her account that he
looked across at her with an expression
which she seemed to read intuitiyely.
"Do you think / am guilty of the
death of Pierre Turrian, Jaffray?" she
cried in voice of pain and resentment.
"And you, Beryl, do your" And with.
out waiting for any answer in words,
reading one in the momentary embar-
raised silence of the two, she cried in a
voice all sorrow and suffering: Heaven
help mel 1t is indeed time came back!
Oh, Jaffray, JaffrayP' And, bursting
iutO sOUn, BLU puIiOu bOi iaO0 Ill LICK
hands on the head of the sofa.
Sir Jaffray could not bear the sight
of her distress, but went quickly to her,
and. laying hand on her shoulder, said:
"Give me your word that you know
nothing of this, Lola, and l will believe
you against the world.
She shook his hand off as though his
touch burned her, and, rising to her feet,
looked him steadily in the face.
"Were the positions changed should
need no word of yours to make me feel
your innocence, Jaffray," she said in a
tone which stabbed him, "but you shall
have my word. As God is my judge l
know no more than yourself how this
man met his death.
A food of relief burst over him at the
words, and again he made as though he
would clasp her in his arms, and again
she prevented him.
Then Beryl, who had waited with
suspense for the avowal of her inno-