Passaic City record., 1897-06-19

LII was only Afterwards, WHeu l. pecaIue
sane enough to think calmly, that 1
felt Richard had as much right to
happiness as I had. We both loved
her, and she loved me- It was all
fair, honest dealing; I could not COM
plain.
Richards wedding day was tor
ture
sGood-by, Robert Alice said, just
before they went away. You forgive
me?'
"'There is nothing to forgive I
answered.
"'And you wish me happiness?'
"'With all my hearth I said. I'VE
shall not see much of each other,
Alice, in the future; it is better not;
but remember, am your brother
more, your friend. If you should ever
want me, send for me-.
"sWhen we come back [ shall
send for you at once, she answered,
merrily.
"'And shall not come. In trouble
you shall find me ready, but otherwise
I shall be out of reach. I leave Eng
land tomorrow, and T do not know
when I shall return.
8" 4 shall have to get into trouble
quickly, she said. 'Good-by!
'sI left England and wandered about,
trying to forget. Alice had been mar
ried ten years when I first met you,
Hargraves, and during that time I did
not see her, but I heard constantly
from Richard, and beggared myself
almost in helping him. He did not
seem to have an idea of the value of
money-spent it as if there was no
limit to his income.
eft was q letter I received from
Alice which made me leave you SO sud
denly. Richard was again in serious
difficulty, and she wrote to me with
out his knowledge, he having told her
then for the first time how often I had
helped him before, saying that he could
not ask me again. I went to her, and
found matters about as bad as they
could be. Richard was desperate and
half ashamed to see me. By terri
BILE struggle, and pledging my credit
to the utmost limit, managed, as I
thought, to set him straight. I be-
lieve Alice would have gone down
upon her knees to thank me had let
her; and Richard thanked me, too, but
did not seem quite at ease. I was glad
to get away from them, and I made
arrangements to leave England again.
To be perfectly truthful, my resources
were so reduced that I meant to set
tie in some continental town where
living was cheap. All my preparations
were made, when I received tele-
gram:
Come to me at once. ALICE
Wondering what new complica-
ton had arisen for I could read trou-
BILE in the message went.
'Alice was alone.
Robert she said, clutching my
arm, and there was look of horror in
her eyes, is it true?'
I" rs what true?'
sc That Richard is thief?'
No. Who has said SOP
We were dining out last night,
and I overheard two men talking about
Richard. They were 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
at any moment
Nonsense, Alice! You are mis-
taken
"'They mentioned his name-R.
Denmore. Oh, Robert! I have been
brave through my troubles-h saven
knows I have-but if this is true it
will kill me.
"'Did these men appear to know
Richard well?' I asked.
"'No. They heard his name, and
then began to talk"
Have you said anything to Rich
ard about it?'
"'No. ought to do it, but I am
coward, and dare not. If it is all
lie he would never forgive me for
doubling him. If it is true-Robert,
you once promised to always be my
friend-you must save him, for my
sake and my child's.
"I am always your FRIEND T an
swered, taking her hand in mine. I
will find out all about this story. It is
all mistake, probably; and if not,
there is more than one r. Denmore,
for instance.
"I was terribly afraid that the
story was true, but I spoke to lessen
her anxiety. The look Of startled
hare came into her eyes, but I did not
think about it until afterwards. How
the men Alice overheard obtained