The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-29

him and though Jack tried every means he
ould think of-secretly-he could find out
nothing about him.
1 can't tell you how it hurts me to think
OF all he must have endured to bring him to
the condition in which you saw him Tell me
all about it again dearI To think that I
never suspected who it was when you spoke
of him to me firstl''
repeated all the details of that memorable
winter morning, While my friends blue eyes
hlled with tears of sympathy, and at the
end she threw her soft arms round my neck
and kissed me fondly.
L am so glad ne went to you, dear; I shall
always remember that you were kind to ni1n
ana refused to believe in his guilt. 1t is your
Cousin Harold is it rot, who gave the infor-
nation and got him arrested?'
But he is so good and kind He risked his
lie 10 save mine, you remember? Don't you
think, dear, that you could persuade him to
give 1t up-I mean to withdraw the charger?
L shook my head hopelessly.
1T would be of no USE DEAR I said.
unit Lucy would never consent to such d
thing, and now that she thinks there is d
chance of getting back her jewels; and
Harold l am sure, would laugh at the idea
or anything so uEbuSiness-like."
But, Mollie, he seems so fond of you"
urged Alison; surely he would listen to
you? And, of coulse, he could persuade your
aunt that it is unjust and cruel!
l saw, to my dismay that she had set her
$1,000 80
had not the heart to refuse but q had a very
slight confidence III the effect of my elo-
quence.
After little hesitation, L resolved to find
out If there was any truth in a suspicion that
had long haunted me; So opening my writ
ing desk, took out the wrapper that had
contained the mysterious box of flowers
had received the Christmas day following
the robbery.
Look at this Writing" I said showing it
Alison q q hayyQ
like it before"
She glanced at it carelessly at first, and
then suddenly looked up with an astonished
face.
of course" she SAID. TT is Uncle Bruce's
But, Mollie-he wrote 10 you them"
1 shook my head, while feeling of glad
ness stole me.
NO, he did not WRITE 1 said but sent
me box of flowers without a word so
that [ could not think whom they were
fronl-and yet, sometimes, it seemed TO me
that | knew, 1 added, dreamily; then, with
sudden joyful remembrance 1 exclaimed:
Oh, Allie, don't you see-ths is proof
that he was in London the night of the
robbery, for those flowers must have been
posted on that very night or early the next
morning, at least for 1 received them on
the morning of Christmas Day.
glad light leapt into Alisons blue eyes
and size clapped her hands, joyfully.
OF course" she cried Then he will be
NtG dllSF al, poor Uncle Bruce-nOW de-
lightful! This, at least will convince your
aunt and Cousin Harold"
. 1t was decided that I should interview my
cousin early the next morning.
Then Alison left me and I sent a message
to Harold's rooms and he arrived just as l
was finishing my solitary breakfast.
Good morning, Harold I began, sweetly
May [ give you some coffee?'
Thank you" he answered, st breakfasted
an hour ago L should have been pleased to
accept if only to acknowledge your unwonted
cvility; this wretched jewelry business
seems to have set Us at loggerheads lately
By-the-by, I suppose it is in connection with
that that you wish to see me?"
Precisely, I replied Il should not dream
of taking up your valuable time excepting
aware by that Mr.. Armitage is Alison's
uncle?"
Yes, know. I am very sorry for her and
for all of them. 1t can't be pleasant to have
to own up to a relative of that Sort
Harold. you can't think how much the
poor child is distressed by this wretched
affair. She is devoted to her Uncle Bruce
and is breaking her heart about him.
I thought that Harold WINGED little
We'll, [ am very sorry, as l said before"
he remarked, but, really, I can't see that I
am responsible for it,
In way you are responsible I an
wered, boldly, for you know that you could
easily convince Aunt Lucy that her suspi-
cions are false, ard at your word she would
withdraw the charge"
We'll, Mollie, stree your heart seems set
on this romantic and Quixotic idea, has it
never occurred to you that there is an easy
way of obtaining your wish?'
"Why-no-what do you mean?" I STAN
mered.
well, dent you see. dear, that what
should certainly hesitate to grant to my
Cousin Mollie, I should not dream of refus-
ing to my promised wife,
For a moment 1 scarcely realized his
meaning, then suddenly 1 felt my cheek grow
hot and crimson.