The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-14

Justlhed in the step he had taken.
he had so much to offer his wife, from
every point of view, it was natural he should
| exact good deal in return. He had only
asked for her love-a modest enough demand
and If this were withheld he declined to ac-
eept the poor substitute she had to offer
He was one of those men to whom beauty
is no lasting attraction unless there be soul
behind
The loveliest woman the world ever knew
would not have charmed him for more than
Gay II ne could not have pictured her with
child IN her arms or hanging over SICK
bed. Therefore he was the last man in the
world to forgive an offence of this sort.
But she was not likely to ask him, Dorothy
had that sort of spirit her mother knew, that
having made mistake she would abide by
it. Only that why she did not confess now
that everything was found out, and there
was no longer anything to be gained by con-
cealment-supposing she was guilty-it was
impossible to understand.
Lady Leeson had been arguing the ques
ton as If she were guilty; but in her heart
of hearts she believed in Dorothy-because
she could not help it.
The girl appeared at lunceon time and sat
down quietly to the table She even pre-
tended to eat as usual; and though she was
pale she was quite composed
Somehow Lady Lesson could better have
borne any violent outbreak of grief than this
strange, frozen calm. She had dreaded the
the inspectors temperance; but she almost
rejoiced now-she thought it would rouse
Dorothy.
But it had no effect either one way or the
otker. She watched him as he came up the
carriage road, with Markham behind him,
without any sign Of interest, or special at
tention even.
A minute later Jane opened the door, and
said, IF you please, my lady the inspector
would be glad to speak to you, and Miss
Lesson
"Me!"-observed Dorothy, incredulously.
you must be mistaken
10 coid ortio -lxy
She rose without hesitation although there
was a look of surprise and annoyance on her
face, and followed her mother out. The two
men rose from their chairs as the ladies en-
tered.
And there must have been something very
overawng in Dorothy's manner and presence,
for knowing what he knew the gamekeeper
bowed to her with every sign of respect.
Lady Lesson gave one approving glance in
her daughters direction, and then she said
quietly to the Inspector
will you be good enough to tell Miss Lee
son what you told me-.
Dorothy's face was study as the other
told his story, but the dominant expression
wa; indignant surprise.
You saw me?"-she said, looking at Mark
ham, unfinchingly. az
Yes, miss, did," he answered. firmly
GAS plain as 1 see you now"
The inspector shot a glance Of yelled tri-
unph at Lady Lesson
"1his is odd, as I was not there" enun-
ciated Dorothy. ST have never been out In
the garden after 10 o'clock in my life, ex-
cept with Lord Rothbury."
''It wasn't Lord Rothbury was with you
that night, MISS" returned Markham, re-
spectfully, but decidedly. "It was quite
different looking gentleman to his lordship
I saw him as well as I saw you, and he was
very fair, whereas his lordship is dark
This is all so absurd it is neither worth
listening to nor contradicting," said Dorothy
without any show of temper, and she turned
and walked superbly out of the room
ST hope you are satisfied now, my lady?"
said the inspector as soon as the door had
closed upon the girls slender figure.
Indeed, I am not. My daughter denies
what Markham here asserts. and her word
is as good as his law
The inspector looked discounted. He had
fancied that the gamekeepers statement
would be enough to convince Lady Lesson,
whilst it had made no impression on her APP
parently.' His temper began to give way.
CAT any rate shall see my LADY, he
said; sit isn't for me to judge anyone. I've
only to collect evidence
"And you call that evidence, suppose?"
she said. loftily
well, yes. my lady, because fancy from
Markham'S description the man he saw was
a very we'll known character, and about the
ceverest and dodgiest rogue in London
Lady Lesson listened with kind of won
der and surprise that dominated even her
Indignation. That she, the proudest woman
daughter who could even be accused of CIV
ing rendezvous in the middle of the night
to a we'll known thief, something so as
founding it absorbed all her faculties.
And this daughter had been the belle of the
London season, and had been engaged to the
match of the season. To fall from such a
height and to fall so low, seemed incon-
ceivable to the ambitious mother who had
laid her plans so well. She was staring out
of the window in a supplied way, when the
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