The Portland daily press., 1898-03-31
Ry WILLIAM LIE QUEUx,


loye?,' I demanded with warmth, walk
ing towards her.
She hung her head. There was deep
silence, broken only by the low ticking
of the clock. In few moments her hand
| stole in search OF mine, and engroSs ed III
my own sad thought | let it linger there.
"Geoffrey, she said at length, tiInidly.
l gazed out upon the sun-lit river
Watching boatful of happy holiday folk
pa s by, and remained stolidIy uncon-
| scious.
"Geoffrey, she repeated. 81 tried ever
so long to refrain from that confession,
yet was unable. But did not ailude to
| Mr.. Beck. 1t was my conduct with Dud-
| ley that caused me to become con-
science-strioken wretch. l. feared from
day to day that you might discover our
many long excursions and the IDLE alber, r.
Moons we spent up the backwaters, he
lazy and indoleDt. l using all my
woman's wiles to fascinate hm and bring
him to my fe ct.
"And you succeeded" interrupted,
huskily.
"Yes, succeeded, she went on, speak
| ing slowly, almost mechanically. had
set my mind upon victory, and achieved
it after weeks and weeks OF striving,
dreading always that you might discover
| the truth, and fearing that my conduct
| would appear in your eyes too serious for
| forgiveness The blow that 1 dreaded has
now fallen.'' she cried, with choking
sob. Dudley is dead. and I, compelled
| to speak the truth, have publicly acknowl-
edged myself unworthy of your love-"
as it not best that L should know the
| truth?'' | asked, seriously. "You render
your behavior the more objectionable by
the absurd falsehoods you wish me to be-
lieve. y
81 do not wish vow to believe any false
| j +f-,I1 hon, e.. rr11t
eyes flashing as she glanced at me-
''What have now told you is the truth
I swear it before heavenr'
"You deliberately firted with Dudly
with an object in view. Oh, no!, l
laughed with contempt. "That is too
lame tale
.It is the TRUTH she said, looking me
straight in the face. her nervous hands
toying with her rings. "Even though
you may believe i'll of me, have lost
neither honour nor seif-respect. l acted
undsr compulsion, to achieve one object. .
"And hope you have gained the mys-
terious end yon had in view, | said,
with bitter sarcasm.
"Yes, [ have" she replied, with an in
tenseness in her voice tnat surprised me.
ssI have gained my object even at risk OF
being discarded by you, Geotfrey, and
| being branded as base adventures.
| "Eyen at the cost of the life OF the man
YOU deceived?' I hazarded.
| She started at my words. Her pale
lips trembled, and in her eyes was
strange look, as if haunted by some spec
trail fear. The effect of this remark was
extraordinary, and I at once added:
Remember you suspect that Dudley S
death was not due to natural causes.
"Suspeot?" she cried 81 know he was
foully murdered.
"By whomP'' I inquired, with breath
less eagerness.
ST have vet to discover that" she an
swered in low voice. "But will make
the elucidation Of the mystery the one
object of my life. 1t is l, alone, who will
avenge his murder.
"Your very words betray your love for
him. I exclaimed disgusted.
81 tell you it is not because loved
him., she protested with indig nation.
stThen why do you seek revenge?' !
demanded ruthlessly-
"For the present decline to disclose, -
she replied, regarding me with un-
wavering glance.
"And you expect me to again repose
confidence in you, notwithstanding your
steady refusal to explain anytnlngF
observed with laugh.
"All have told you now, Godfrey, is
the truth" she replied, looking earnestly
into my eyes. "Once I deceived you, but
I will never do SO in future. I promise
some day before long to explain all the
facts to you; when do SO they will as
tound you. For the success of my plans
1 am compelled at present TO preserve my
secret, even from you. -
s'What are your plansg"
sBe patient, and you shall see. !"
"You intend to avsnge Dudley S
death?''
"I do. And something further" she
said. s'Only by the most careful investi-
1 .so40 naT Ns,yy
| plans be successfully carried out. Trust
in me, Geoffrey. Tell me that you will
reconsider your decision not to forgive
me,' she whispered, leaning upon my
shoulder with one arm entwlned affe3-
tionately about my neck, us was her
habit. 'sAnd L will yet prove to you that
I am an honest woman who has acted
only in your interests.
I'm my interests? How?" L asked,
amazed.
"You shall know all later, when have
ascertained the truth"
''Tell me one thing, Ella" exclaimed,
after a pause; "Have you any idea
whether Dudley had any occupation?
| HOccupation? l always understood he
had enough money to be independent.
Then taking from my vest pocket the
object | had picked up from among the
contents of the dead mans pockets dis
plsyed on the table in the Coroner's court,
I held it up to her, saying seriously;
'Now. tell me trutnfully, Ella, have
: you ever seen this in Dudley's posses
! sion?"
She glanced at it for an instant, holding
:, her breath, as across her blanched coun-
/ tenance there passed an expression OF
!, bewildered amaZemen5.
The object I held beneath her gaze was
insignificant in itself, merely small
brass seal, but it bore the Warnham arms
e %l.< ,a+V v-@
worn by the Earl. It was the seal which
had been used to manufacture the dupli-
cate of the envelope containing England s
secret alliance with Germany.
The suddenness with which l had pro-
duced it startled and nonplussed her. AS
| transfxed her blue eyes with my keen
suspicious gaze, her white lips moved, but
no sound fell from them, Elm Embarrassment
held her dumb.
Ito be continued
WIT AND WISDOM.