The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-11


advantage of It. "The poor fellow is a lu-
matte" he said. 81 don't want to stand
here and get crowd round. You had bet
ter come back to my house. and he can
say what he has to say there"
VERY well, SIR said the policeman,
who hardly saw his way to arrest the
wealthiest man in Grosvenor Square on
the bare word of an unknown.
VERY WE'LL" exclaimed Helston, "but
you had better send a message to your
Inspector to come round. l can satisfy him
that my accusation is true"
The policeman took no notice of the re-
mark. He was anxious 20 oblige. Col Dex-
ter and save him from further annoyance.
The three then went together to the
house. Col. Dexter let himself in with a
key, and the policeman and Helston fol-
lowed. The colonel opened door and
showed them into the library.
you'll excuse me a moment" he said.
I'm not likely to run away, but / will
so and see that we are not disturbed.
There are visitors in the house In the
meantime / will send servant TO you, and
you can write a note and send him to
your. inspector with it,
John Helston would have prevented him
leaving the library, but the policeman in
terfered. 1.-The cooners not likely to run
away" he said. Come, you'd better be
quiet, my good fellow. It's all a mistake
of yours of course, but / can't have you
making no disturbance here"
The colonel went out into the hail. and
upstairs to his bedroom. He unlocked a
drawer, and took out a loaded revolver.
1T is the only way" he said.
The report of pistol rang through the
house. Instantly there was an alarm, and
the sound of hurrying feet
you fool! cried Helston. you've let
him escape your
Both men went out quickly into the hall.
It was full of terrified servants.
At that moment a woman's Shrek rang
through the house, and lady came stag
gering down the stairs crying, Help,
help! Send for a DOCTOR!
The policeman FASTENED upstairs to see
If the colonel was dead or only wounded.
The lady came tottering across the hall,
and found herself face to face with John
Hartford.
She started back with a wild cry, and
fell senseless at his feet
A month later a paragraph appeared in
the newspapers to the effect that her maj
esty had been pleased to direct that a
free pardon should be granted to John
Harbord, who sixteen years previously,
had been convicted Of burglary and man
slaughter, and sentenced 90 twenty years
penal servitude. His innocence had been
proved by the real criminal who, in his
dying DISPOSITIONS, taken after he had shot
himself confessed the truth.
John Helston lives at the little river
side villa happy and contented with his
daughter, and no one has recognized in
him the hero of this romance of real
life
He ascertained that his wife had been
fully provided for by deed of gift by the
South African millionaire whose wife she
was supposed to be, and he knew that IL
was bese for his own sake and for Miri-
ans that he should think of her no more.
To only one person has he revealed his
real name and history. The son of the
vicar OF the parish in which Laburnum
Villa is situated has fallen in love with
Miriam, and wants her 10 be his wife
When the vicar called on Mr.. Heston,
John told him that his name was Har-
bord, and concealed nothing from him.
The vicar heard him to the end, and
then took his hand and gripped it.
"Mr. Helsion.' he said 1T was right
of you to tell me this, and / shall tell my
SON. but we need neither of us tell Miri-
am. The name of Helston has been hers
for eighteen years and is her name of re-
pute.' as the lawyers term it. / have the
honor Of asking the hand of Miriam Hell
ston in marriage for my son, and / could
wish him no fairer or gentler wife"
Crhe Enid