The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-04-26

never have allowed an old man to get
the better of him; but let that pass and
come to the cruX of the matter. You
want to arrest me for deserving from
the navy. Very well, you shall, if you
still wish to after hearing what have
to say"
Releasing the grip upon his would
be captor, the elder man, in strangely
cultured voice, addressed his auditors
"Years ago." said he, 81 was known
and respected in this neighborhood, a
man of substance and member of the
diplomatic corps. Unfortunately, in
my official capacity, became embroiled
in quarrel with political opponent,
| and, as was more common even Is years
ago, the result was | had no alternative
between fighting a duel or being dis
honored.
"Not to make long story, my adj
versary and our seconds journeyed to
Guildford with me late one night, in
tending to settle our differences at day.
break on the following morning. With
the courtesy that such affairs demand
ed, | offered the whole party hospitality
for the night.
From the moment my head touched
the pillow until l was awakened the
next morning my mind was an entire
blank, but judge of my horror when,
essaying to rise, l found the bedclothes
dabbled with blood, and at the foot of
my couch a CORY hunting knife belong
| ing to myself. simultaneously with my
horrible discovery the servant found
the man was to have fought lying foul
ly murdered
although conscious of my limo
cence, [ dared not face the inquiry
| which was sure to follow, as who would,
believe my own theory of the matter,
which was simply that 1 committed
the terrible act in my sleep, as from
childhood had been subject to attacks
of somnambulism. Hastily caressing
my infant daughter, the only pledge
left me by my departed wife, 1 left
the house like felon and fed the coun-
| try, and it was hunger for glimpse
of my dear child's face that has worked
my undoing. My faithful secretary
| connived at my escape, and subsequent
| ly sent me the news of willful muir
der against Sir Richard Westerne. Yes.
| You will be able to deliver up to JUS
| tice more important person than the
deserter West. My devoted retainer,
Burton, who assisted me at such great
risks to himself is not here to help me
now. He is dead"
"He was villain, Sir Richard!" cried
Robson, in wild excitement. ''It was
he himself who killed Lord Marcus, and
artfully foisted the blame upon you in
order that you should not discover his
defalcations. My father possesses his
dying confession to that effect
The sudden revulsion of feeling was
almost too much for the baronet. Tot
| tering to the nearest chair, he buried
his face in his toilworn hands. Silence
reigned in the room for a few intense
moments. Then Sir Richard feeling a
gentle hand upon his shoulder, looked
up into sweet but still scared face
and two half-frightened gray eyes.
Daddy, DEAR" Charley heard trem-
ulous voice murmur softly as he stole
| from the room. x y
Powerful friends at the admiralty
soon CLOSED over the delinquencies of
| the seaman West. and Sir Richard W-es-
terne once more assumed his proper
rank and station. AS time wore on.
and the vividness of his past misery
faded, he could afford to joke about
The matter; and sometimes, upon the
rare occasions that he saw certain
young officer, would, much to the
amusement of his daughter. simulate
extreme terror and cry in affected dis
may: ''He has come for me at last!'
When some few years later a very
excited youth, with golden circlet
upon the arm of his new uniform coat,
burst unceremoniously into the room,
he was greeted by the same old joke,
and in response blushingly replied:
"Fll let you off this time if you will
give me Allie as hostage" And as
the girl seemed to be willing sacrifice,
Sir Richard gave them his blessing
Chicago Times-Herald'