The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-28


III" He spoke with m air Of subdSed
but conscious pride, like q man who
feels that he might boast II be pleased,
but wishes to appear properly modest.
They parted then, and the private de-
tective went into the servants rooms
to ask some questions about the trains
and to tell them the news that Lady
Waloote was to be arrested that night
on charge Of having murdered the
Frenohman.
Meanwhile in the library blank dis
may had fallen on Sir Jaffray and
Beryl, and Lola, an soon as the excite
ment of her interview with the police
inspector was over. had broken down at
the thought Of the disgrace she was
bringing upon the man she loved.
IF were only dead" she moaned,
"all this trouble would be ended, but I
will not die till have proved my in
nocence, and then the sooner death the
better"
"Why don't you take time so that we
may try to get some evidence Of the
truth?' asked Sir Jaffray.
"How could waltz she asked.
"What do you mean?'
''Where should wait? ! could not
stay here, and II I could not be here I
would as soon b in jaill" she cried i'm
petuously.
Sir Jaffray had no answer, for her
reply tapped the other stream of his
trouble concerning her, and he could
say nothing.
"You could have come with me,
Lola" said Beryl quietly. II think,
with Jaffray, that you should have
waited, unless, that ISL She stopped
and left the sentence unfinished.
"Unless what?" asked the baronet,
glancing at her.
"What made Mr.. Clifford turn sud
denly in that strange way?" she asked
as an apparently irrelevant reply.
The baronet muttered angrily at the
mention Of the name.
II was wondering whether he had
some motive, after ALL" she added.
but there-one clings to any straw"
at is terrible, terriblel" exclaimed
Sir Jaffray. II cannot stand this in
activity. I must do something or I
shall 60 ont Of my mind"
y Then a long and most painful inter-
val of silence came.
"Jaffray," said Lola, rising abruptly
from the sofa, I'VE had better part
now. 1t will be less suffering for you
when we are not together. Goodby."
She held out her hand to him. II have
made an i'll return for all your love, but
try, whatever happens, not to bear too
hard a memory. meant in all sin
cerity to pick out the course that would
lead to the least trouble for you, and
heaven knows l would have spared you
all this if I could. Goodby."
1T is not that which troubles me
now, Lola" he answered. II am not
such brute as to be thinking Of my.
self ut such a moment as this. What /
want to do is to see way for you. Are !
you really resolved to give yourself up
this evening? If you would delay it,
the truth might come out"
II would rather face it at once. If
wait, my resolve may fail me alto.
gether. I am coward when l think of
you, and death would be so much
easier"
Don't, Lolai Don'tl" he cried in
voice Of pain.
And then another long silence fell
on the three.
Sir Jaffray broke it.
II shall wire for some one to come
and take up the threads which Clifford
has bungled SO terribly" he said, with
sudden emphasis "At all events it
will be doing something, and heaven
knows we need cool head here now.
In the meantime there is no goodby be-
tween US yet, Lola. may be away
some time, but shall get back before
before the evening"" he said, chang |
ing the phrase with some slight show
Of embarrassment.
He went away then, and Lola and
Beryl both found in his departure some
relief from the strain.
They sat together, their talking
broken by long gaps of silence, and
Beryl did her utmost to comfort her
and to draw Ter confidence.
One confidence Lola shared with her,
md the little story was 10th told and
listened to amid scalding teals from
10Th. The sharing of the secret drew
he tw, women closer than ever to-
.other
As the time passed Lola endeavored
o assume firm and resolute manner,
but Beryl could see how completely she
vas overcome.
With difficulty Beryl induced her to
AXE some food and wine.
"You will need courage, Lola" she
aid, "for Jatfray's and that others
AXE" And at this plea she yielded,
orcing herself to eat and drink.
In the evening Beryl's agitation in
reased, and her usual calmness quite
deserted her. but Lola, on the other
land, grew strong and determined as
he time of the arrest approached. 1t
vas characteristic Of her to meet the
rouble when it came close detiantly.
When Sir Jaffray came in, he was
urprised to find Lola 80 cool and conf
ent and Beryl go agitated.
He told them what he had done-how
@ had seen Clifford and spoken out his
pinion in strong terms and in the
resence Of one or two of the servants
adj told him to leave the manor, then
ow he had telegraphed to London to
ell known firm of solicitors, accus.
/ l!lh |!