Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-01-04
Gerard-David Gerard. ! ned the eoun-

try and changed my name because I
was accused Of q fearful crime-ths
crime Of stealing Lady Brownlow's
jewels-while a tutor in her house."
Enderby heard low, instantly sup
pressed sound like a moan break from
Jasmine's lips. but If the dying man
heard 1t he gave no sign. He went ON
slowly, with closed eyes:
II was always an unfortunate man
and when my wife died and my sister
took my little Jasmine, went as
tutor to Sir Francis Brownlow's two
boys. was public school and OK
ford man. OF all the friends Of my
youth there was one whom I had never
ceased to correspond with. That was
Hal Lennox, who had gone in for the
law, and was getting on wonderfully
we'll.
when young, Hal and I had both
loved the same girl. She had promised
herself to me; but when she found out
that I would never be wealthy man,
she threw me overheard. She was
beautiful beyond the privilege OF wom-
en-; but she was ambitious. extrava-
CANT, unprincipled. Yes, I know all
that now-1 knew it then; but still I
loved her.
"She came to the Brownlows on a
visit. She was deep in debt, though
l did not know it. One night Lady
Brownlow had showed her the jewels,
and told her the priceless value of her
pearl necklace. There was not one
like it in England.
"A few nights after temptation came
to her. do not need to tell you how
my time is short. She took the neck
lace while Lady Brownlow was absent
from her boudoir for few minutes.
She hid them in my room, though i
did not know of it then. The day after
she came in for them, when was sup
posed to be in town; but I returned
unexpectedly, and caught her. She
wildly flung herself on my mercy, say
ing she had come to give them back.
1T was untrue; she sent her brother
her accomplice-to Paris to sci them
there. A few days later the loss was
discovered; there was a hue and cry,
and all the rooms were searched. In
my room, in a secret drawer Of my
writing table, was found one of the
clasps Of the necklace, with a bit of
crushed pearl adhering to it. In her
haste the necklace had caught in the
hasp Of the drawer as Lady Lennox
thrust it in.
OF course, was accused. There was
other evidence against me; but let that
suffice. In mad desperation, Lady Len
nox sent me letter, beseeching me to
shield her. No one knows I have that
letter-not even her husband.
What could I do? 1 had once loved
her; I loved her husband. I would
say nothing, and l was sent to Mon
mouth prison to await my trial. There
heard that Sir Henry Lennox was
to prosecute.
"He came secretly to see me. and I
told him all. I told him I had con-
vincing proof of her guilt. l do not
know if he had known of it before, but
he besought me to spare him this aw-
full blow. He said it would ruin him
for life. and as for Clarice he dared
not think Of her doom. What could
l do? l agreed to hide the truth, and
my old friend promised to save me.
"That was when knew Dundas
Lyndon. He certified that I was i'll,
and, when I obtained greater liberty,
escaped.
II came home because I heard Of
Lady Lennox's death; and I thought
Of my own child, to whom had moth
ing to leave but a stainless name. /
came! I saw Sir Henry. He tried to
persuade me to keep silence; but now,
for my Jasmine's sake. I cannot. Then
I became i'll, and Lyndon came. Each
day I wished him to allow me to go
out, that might see a solicitor who
would undertake my case, but he
would not. He kept me back day by
day. And now l am dying; but leave
this and the proof of my innocence to
those who will see Justice done to my
poor little girl"
(To be continued.)