The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-09

they are threatened. constitute an urgent
and powerful motive for crime. How do
you dare suspect my husband, and not also
suspect this man7'
Il did not dare. Judge. WI en- she thus
! had used to myself in support of Mr.. Druoe's
guilt, / was unable to reply. And 80 We two
set about contriying a test, which should sub
tract tho ono who was innocent and leave IA n
remainder the thief.
Evening came, and with II Mr., Merle, blum.
hearty. prosperous, sharing with the world
the good cheer which was his birthright, through
his genial manner and contagious laugh, Evil
IDENTITY a prime ~favorite with the family, he
took his scat rs "A matter OF course NJ Mrs,
Druc,'s right and cracked a Joke which turned
the stern lines Of Mr.. Lanham's face into rnerri-
mcnt. Robert bruce also came To the dinner,
sinking silently into the chair at his wife's
left. a veritable ghost at u feast. | looked
NJ the two men thus thrown into contrast,
40 exactly ombodyi ing substance and shadow.
and | feared that there WIS nothing equitable
about our scheme, since the one was 80 better
able TO withstand n shock than the other. How
ever. n glance from Mrs. Druce's brave eyes
gave me confidence; so ] took up my part by
bringing the conversation around naturally
TO the subject of fortune telling.
Mrs Druce took her cue with the spirit OF
a born actress She was something 81 "a seeress
herself, she announced with exaggerated seri~
BUSINESS, equal even 10 that ancient sIhyl who
shook mystical leaves from an uncannS tree
ia a horrible cave, don't you know MIR. Merle
laughingly protested that nothing could make
him so assured Of continued health, wealth
and happiness as TO have Mrs. bruce predict
~, D.. Ill. II .ar', ,r,,,Ja. tb.,, d. tx,rda .
she said but | can give you "A leaf that will
unerrinRly set them forth; and lest YOU be- ner-
vou- in tempting my skill alone, l will include
my husband in the ordeal What do you say
my dear. do you want an exposition Of your
health. wealth and happiuess?'
Il have them all in YOU replied prIce
family
80 nattery she cried. TIN sibyl Is in
different to mortal feelings Very we'll, then;
are you ready? First there will b. darkness.
the darkness that comes from the follIe- and
sins Of poor humanity, then there will be- light;
the full. eternal light OF truth
"She touched with her foot the electric key
under the table. and he lights went out There
was a fut tel as Of falling leaves. Up flashed
the lights, and there In front Of each Of the
two men lay one Of the blank strips Of paper
composing the bogus package!
Il glanced at Robert Druce lie turned
the paper over and over / don't sec the
point. he said. and dropped It on the floor
I looked at Edmund Merle. There was n WaNy
sallownesS about his mouth The muscles in
his throat twitched He shifted In his chair.
a. il struggling for self-pOssrssior lie even
tried to smile gha-tly sight This paper
the source of my wealth. happiness oh. my
Godp he murmured 4 dull red surR"d IN his
ewes and about his temples He lurchrd for
ward. and lay in an awkward heap with his
head against the tablet
" There, father cried Mrs bruce. stand
Ing NJ fun height. with arm Cut-tretched u
sibyl truly In her Indifference 20 mortal feel
ings. There. father. father, il the one Tint
robbed your bank And In an instant, she
was all sweet womanliness again. as she turned
to her husband and assured him Of her abid-
ing faith
Poor Merle had n few mom"n Of con-
sciousncas that night before he died. In which
with thickened tongue and broken phrase he
told the story of a man trusted and respected
striving 10 avert the retribution Of by-gone
sin through present sin. aud doing wrong that
good might come from II. It's an old, old
story. Judge. SO familiar to detectives that
opportunity. not character, Is the clue they
s-R: and it will h" repeated again and again,
so long as money rules the world "
An unexpected story. n sad story" once
more repeated the Judge. God save ~ all!
II angels fell, the best Of men indeed need
charity instead Of justice