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


the hood over my head, and 1 don't believe
even you would have known me from her any
more than Lord Rothbury. and the game
keeper
II didnt!''
Then you saw me, too?"
Yes, the night I was robbed"
The girl laughed. She had been brought up
in way that made her proud not ashamed,
of her superior cunning.
You nearly caught me once, the night
took the Rothbury diamonds. I had got the
keys off your dressing-table, and had just
got to the plate cupboard when you reused
dropped down fiat, and you sat up in bed,
and drank your lemonade"
Which you had drugged, I suppose?"
Just enough to make you sleep very
sound she confessed.
Il tell you l went about the house as I
liked, choosing convenient times, when the
servants were at supper, and so on-and
could have poisoned you all if / had liked,
and let in twenty thieves, and never have
been caught, thanks to my likeness to
Dorothy"
Poor Dorothy" said her mother, COM
passionately. You have ruined her life"
mo, l haven't Ghought there doesn't seem
any reason why she. should be so much more
fortunate than me) I am coming to that.
When heard the doctor tell Mrs Brown he
could do nothing for me. it came over me,
lying here, that, perhaps, if | did one good
action before 1 went God would take it as
a meaning l was sorry for all the bad ones,
and keep me away from granny in the other
world, because she never did even one-don't
you see?''
Yes, yes" answered Lady Lesson,
hoarsely.
Anyhow, don't cry, mother it is use
now. l ann sorry for lots Of things, if that's
anv comfort to you; but most of all about
Dorothy, because she was so patient and
sweet over her wrongs, and so have written
out the whole truth for you to show to Lord
Rothbury, and signed it before the doctor
nY1d fhn -6n 10
sometimes. That will make it all right for
her. But took all the robbery of the Roth
bury diamonds on myself, it was my doing
really and 1 don't want to hurt Duke. He
was good to me when no one else was, and 1
love him dearly 1 have written him a long
letter to tell him this and also how my dying
wish is that he will turn over new leaf,
and try to make an honest livelihood when
he comes out of prison?"
She stopped to cough, and soon as she
could get her breath, she asked her mother
to open the door, and see if anyone was list
en1ng. No one was there. but still the girl
would only point under her mattress, making
the other understand she was to seek for
something hidden there.
Put your hand through the hole, it is hid
den in the stuff1ng," she whispered land
don't give any signs when you find it. There
are queer people here, and they'd murder
you. perhaps, to get it,
. Lady Lesson took all the precautions insist
ed on, and presently brought out casket,
which she hid under her cloak at sign from
the girl.
Now get away with it to place of safety
as quickly as you and don't let anyone
guess what you are about You can take
the confession, too, if you like, and then you
ne cdn't come back. This is poor place for
such as you
Anyhow, it is my place, Mary as long as
you want me-" Lady Lesson said, resolutely.
But 1 will get this off my mind, and then
return We shall see if the doctor will allow
you to be moved
He'll quite laugh at the question; he
thinks I shan't last out the night
Lady Lesson got away with her treasures,
thanks to her voluminous mantle, and de-
posted both the casket and the confession
with her bankers. She then returned quick
ly to Marys bedside, where she had left Mrs.
Brown in charge The Fictitious strength
created by excitement had died away, and
the girl was so weak, there could be no ques-
ton Of moving her now.
She was conscious, and welcomed her
mother with smile.
II never thought I should ever have you
with me, and SO kind, too,'' she painted out.
"Give my love to Dorothy, and ask her to for
give me, won't you? She will be happy now
and have never asked anything of you
before mother, but will you go and see Duke
in prison, and tell him about my DEATH and
give him my letter and messages? They'll
let you in if you say you come from his dead
wife"
81 promise you," answered Lady Leeson,
who was crying unrestrainedly. ''Is there
anything else I do for you-dear?"
IT don't want to be buried by the parish"
did you think I would allow that?"
81 didn't know. And shall you follow"
"Of course"
Not Dorothy, suppose?" wistfully.
Dorothy will be there, too"
A radiant smile broke over the pallid face
1.-THE clergyman used to say God was more
merciful than men, and if Dorothy forgives
me I shall feel as if He ought, for He has for