The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-13
CHAPTER TX.
THE PRESCRIPTION.

CHAPTER TX.
THE PRESCRIPTION.
I braced myself for the shock Of this
avowal. I expected Miss Lawrence to
scream and fall in dead faint. I pre-
pared to receive her in my arms and to
face the mother with my astounding
explanation.
For two or three seconds the stiffness
Of the room was as that of death. Then
there was a faint rustling Of skirts, and
I gazed upon the young woman beside
me.
Her face was slightly paler, and
there was an expression in the eyes that
was unfathomable.
Without word by either Of us, she
gently rose to her feet, and, leaning
over, placed both arms round my neck,
with tenderness Of compassion like
that Of mother for dying son.
Dear Harold, she murmured, lyon
need rest. Go home and think no more
of this" ~, '.'s
Her words and manner were revela-
ton. They told the whole story.
She had heard my declaration, but
not for an instant did it cause a doubt
i'll her mind. Had not falsified with
my statement Of the effect produced on
my brain by the shock Of the fall she
might have been disturbed. but she laid
it all to that Twas not clear in my
head. That had been proved by several
trifiing incidents in our conversation,
the cap sheaf coming when 1 turned
upon her and squarely denied my own
identity. +
IT will do so. You are right, IT said,
grasping like drowning man at the
straw which enabled me to terminate
the distressing interview "You will
understand, Jeanette, if you do not
hear from or see me for some time. -
"Yes," she replied in the same gentle
voice, holding up her cheek for the
goodby kiss. "Will you not consult some
specialist"
Unnecessary. And minute later
I hardly know how it was-I was out
side the house and walking homeward.
''If this goes on, shall begin to
doubt my own personality. She will
not be convinced until Harold and I
walk into her presence, side by side. y
1t was all like horrible opium dream
"a mixture of delirious happiness and
hideous unreality. more vivid than real
ity itself. But as walked briskly in
the cool night air my thoughts clarified.
regretted the revelation had at.
tempted to make, and yet had failed
to make it my self scorn would have
been intolerable. It was the remem-
brance Of my rally from the seductive
revel and my resolute meeting Of duty
which saved my honor, in my own esti-
nation. ~. os
''There is but one course before me,
and that is a plain one. I cannot
straighten out this frightful tangle of
myself. She will not believe me, though
make oath 1000 times. Only the pres
ence Of Harold can convince her of her
error. will cable to him to return by
next steamer, giving him knowledge Of
the truth. Meanwhile at all costs will
keep away from his betrothed. 1 will
send her word that am about to leave
town for few weeks and will not come
back until Harold arrives on the ground
and makes it all clear
This course was SO obviously COM
mon sense one that wondered it had
Aot presented itself before.
It was comparatively early in the
evening when I entered the elevator at
my apartments
''Have had any calls?" asked.
"One-a gentleman.
''How long since?''
''Shortly after you went out"
''Did you tell him was not INF"
"No, sir, for didn't know it. Jim
had just gone off, and I took his place.
The man got out Of the elevator, walked
to your door and touched the bell. I
went on up to the top story, and when
/ came down be was waiting for me-"
"Did he have anything to say?'
''He said as how you wasn't in.
Then I happened to remember that I
had letter for you and was going to
step out to drop 1t in your box, when he
said he would do it for me. handed it
to him, and be walked across the hall
and dropped it though the door"
Describe the man."
Rather small, stepped quick, had q
gray suit Of clothes and derby hat"
1t was enough. Oovey Cone bad been
watching ON the opposite side of the
street until he saw me leave the build
ing. Then, when the coast was clear, he
went up to my room.
What was his object?
Although be had my fee in his pocket
at the time and was in my employ, the
scamp was shadowing me. He was
working for some one else and against
myself.
Who was his employer
1t was impossible to conjecture at this
stage, but it looked as If some one held
a suspicion Of tho truth, and he was
plotting in such PERSONS behalf.
His visit TO my rooms when sure I
was absent was with the purpose Of get
ting possession Of letter, and his little
scheme had been successful
What letter was it?
While these thoughts were fitting
through my brain ! had entered the
outer room Of my apartments There
lay letter, whersit had fallen to the
floor after being dropped through the
slit in my door, for Harold had arranged
that his mail should be delivered in |
that fashion.
Ripping open the envelope, I saw |
that the few lines were a petition for
money. Some youth had just conceived
an invention 60 wonderful that all he
needed was the funds with which to &C.
cure q patent when be would make
every one concerned 80 wealthy that as
he expressed it, none Of the Vanderbilts.
Astors or Goulds would be "in it.
Hardly pausing to read the signature
I tore the missive into fragments and
f1unp IL into tho r,apiuu xyagtaharket