The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-17

unon me. SO ons night took all my re-
manning pins, together with the brooo h,
anc buried them in the garden where,
I suppose. they still remain: Ever since
theft should be- discovered and my pres.
ence az the scene of the tragedy proved,
for / saw how suspicious were the cir
| cum stances. especially as we ad had q
slight difference earlier that day and
someone might have overheard our words.
For months my life has neen overshad-
owed by terrible dread, but now that |
| know the truth hesitate no longer to
speak. -
| tAnd the miniature we discoveries By
Nelly's side was the one you..gaye her to
RETURN to my family?' George exclaimed,
turning quickly to Marietta, astounded at
Ohe remarkable explanation.
Yes. She said she knew you, and that
you loved l4iane. Therefore she would
return 1t to your father without stating
Wnence 1t had come.
nut You say that Charles Holroyde was
ny proeher," he exclaimed, puzzled.
do not understand. .
mink for a moment, and you will see
tnau al have spoken is the truth, she
| answered. Before his death he told me
the whole of the circumstances how
your mother, Lady Strattield, died few
months after your birth, and how your
father, year afterwards, married another
lady, whom he subseq uently divorced.
The latter, lady of 9means, came and
lived in France, where Charles was edu-
Gated, but when he knew how unjustiy
your father had treated his mother ne de-
clined to take the name of Stratield and
preferred his mothers maiden name.
| He eA
ssAh, yes! remem beri'' cried George,
amazed sIt was my fathers unhappy
second marriage that had caused him TO
become gloomy, misanthropic, and hater
of womaukind. The subject was scarcely
ever mentioned between us, but now !
| distinctly remember that the lady's name
was Holroyde l knew thatsshe had a son
| but have always been led to suppose that
| he died when only few months old. =
NO." Marietta replied. He was
fouliy murdered TOR the money he had
won at roulette by that man standing
there" and she pointed towards Zertho,
who stood trembling, crushed by her ter
rible denunciation.
ssFancy Charles Holroyde actually being
your brotherl'' Lame exclaimed, looking
up tenderly into the face of the man she
so fondly loved. s'Yet it is not surprising
for strangely enough, have many times
thought that your face strongly resembled
his. But my father is cleared of the ter
rible stigma, and no suspicion can now
be cast upon me, therefore We have Moth
ing TO fear.
"True, darling" he answered. 1--WE
have nothing to fear, save one thing.
What is that?' she inquired eagerly.
HE hesitated. His words were over
was upon him. The man accused moved
across to the table and stood lsRning
against it, swaying unsteaGily. His pas
sage was still barred resolutely.
You forget the offer of marriage
which, under my fathers will, am COM
PEELED to make to Marietta, If am not to
remain a pauper all my days. =
AS he spoke there was quick move
ment behind him, a food Of golden sum
light suddenly lite up the room as the
jalousies of one Of the windows were
dashed open, and as he turned he saw the
figure Of Zertho disappearing through the
window.
With a cry the fugitive leaped down
upon the flower led outside, hat in hand,
and an instant later had gained the road
and was flying down through the fortifi-
cations towards La CendaInine.
For scarcely a second Max Richards
hesitated. then rushed after him TO give
him into the hands of the police. Zertho
had long been watching his opportunity,
and being strong and athletic mad reached
the window at single bound, and had
escaped almost before they could realise
what had occurred.
For a few moments all were dismayed:
but were quickly treasured By Marietta,
who declared that the police must sooner
or later arrest him
Then, turning to George, she added:
You have spoken of your father S will.
Well, you solicitors may make the offer,
but / shall refuse
ssYou will refused" cried Liane joyously.
Eyes" she answered, smiling in con-
tentment. 81 shall refuse because / am
already engaged to marry. Max, the man
whose words have cleared your father,
and whose evidence will convict the man
VINO has held you SO long beneath the
thrall of terror. ~
lyon are to marry MAXI Lame ex-
claimed, surprised.
Eyes We have known each other some
years now, and as 1 have recently won
sufficient money which invested will
bring us in a modest income, we have
agreed to marry aud relinquish gam bling.
One of our promises to each other is
that after marriage neither of us enter
the Casino on any pretext whatsoever !.
shall certainly keep it, and feel assured
that Max will,
"I'n sure you have our heartiest con-
ordinations, Captain BROKER said,
and although once he has been one of us
and an outsider, he Is nevertheless at
heart gentleman. :"
Marietta, known as sThe Golden
Hand and believed by habitues of
Monte Carlo to be- thoroughly unscrupu-
Ious, and an adventuress of the very
worst type, was now an entirely different
person to the woman vino flung down her
gold so recklessly upon the tapis-vert
Her life had not been altogether bIame-
less, nevertheless there was still sufficient
generosity, tenderness, and love within
FER heart to render her a devoted wife
with man who would love and cherish
her.
MAKE your offer to marry me as soon
as You WISH" she laughed. you know
what my reply will be. -
"A reply he said, "that will bring
me fifty thousand pounds
"You are indeed my friend, Mariette,' p
r.iane said, stretching forth her hand.
"Forgive me for believing that you were
my enemy.
ing:
II have forgiven all-everything, save
the terrible offences of the man who has
fed. offences before God and man that
are bevond atOnement.