The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-10

You seem surprised" said Lyndon
colby. II thought you had guessed
long ago, Str Henry, the cause Of my
enthusiasm in the affair. am an
ambitious man, as you know, and 1
have risked great deal in this mat
ter. Were but word of this to get
abroad should be ruined man. in
a worse plight than the poor wretch
whom we know; but thought the
game worth the candle. With Cecil
Lennox as my wife and Sir Henry,
the great @. c., as my father-in-law,
my future success is secured. Now, I
have spoken frankly, and expect a
| frank answer"
Sir Henry looked at him for a mo-
ment, then with a shudder he bowed
his head on his hands. Never till
this moment, had the wretched man,
who had years ago entered on course
OF deception and cruel wrong, realiz-
ed to the full that "the way Of trans
gressors is hard" His sin, at first
a cobweb, had become cable.
He was in the power of an unscrupu-
lous villain, and he could never hope
to extricate himself from it.
| He looked up at last.
IT cannot use compulsion in such a
case" he said, in hard, dry voice.
Cecil may not be agreeable toto
this proposal of yours"
Lyndon smiled grimly.
II think she will be when tell her
the consequence of her refusal, Sir
Henry. One word from me, and the
whole world will know the real char
acter of the man 1t has been accus-
toned to regard as faultless."
"And the character of the man it
has trusted as an honorable physi-
Giant" said voice behind both men
suddenly.
They were sitting in Sir Henry's IL
brary with closed doors. Neither Of
them had heard the door which con-
nected the library with Sir Henry's
private office softly open; but as both
sprang round, as if simultaneously,
a figure moved forward from the door,
which had not closed again, and stood
facing them. 1t was that of Paul En-
derby.
Lyndon's face assumed an unpleas-
! ant hue and an ugly curve in his up
per lip showed the cleaning teeth
| behind.
Sir Henry, however, with an effort
recovered his usual dignity, and rose
to his feet, bowling gravely.
'This is an unexpected visit, Mr..
Enderby. shall not call it an intru-
sion. 1t is, however, rather unusual
for my visitors to enter unannounced.' p
Enderby was very pale, and his
| whole face would have given any on
| locker the impression Of one who has
braced himself to terrible task. He
leaned his hand on the table, and his
eyes did not falter from their fixed
gaze on Sir Henry's face.
Sir Henry, my mode Of entry is of
little consequence in comparison with
the tidings I bring. l have come
straight to you from a death bed. Da-
vid Gerard, otherwise David Lloyd.
died at o'clock this evening"
A strange sound-half gasp, half cry
left Sir Henry's lips. He tottered a
little, as if he would have fallen; but
the next moment, making another
great effort, he recovered, and drew
himself erect.
What do you mean, Mr.. Enderby?"
Who is this man, David Lloyd, whom
| you so glibly identify with David &C.
rard?"
Sir Henry, subterfuge here is abso-
lutely valueless," said Enderby grave
ly, and not without certain huski-
ness in his voice. No man can look on
a broken idol unmoved. "What have
to say had better be said briefly. I am
glad to have found this mamie
glanced, with change of expression
towards Lyndon-"with you.
Accidents brought the Gerards-I
knew them as the Lloyds-across my
path. From Miss Gerard first heard
the name of Doctor Lyndon. I visited
them. When I heard your story of
David Gerard's crime my suspicious
were aroused. These are now con-
firmed.
David Gerard died today; but be-
fore dying he left full confession,
signed by himself. of the Brownlow
pearl affair. He left with me the one
proof-an absolute one-of his inno-
cence. and another's guilt. have
promised the dead, and mean to
fulfill that promise, to see his name,
and that of the daughter he has left,
1 cleared.
"Sir Henry, you will have to per-
form this act Of tardy justice. 1
would save you If I could, but 1t is
impossible. The fearful wrong done
this innocent man-and more, the hor-
rible crime which brought him to his
death must be atoned for. I demand
OF you, in the name Of justice and res
titution, to make a public confession
Of David Gerard's innocence, and the
guilt Of your wife,"
A low cry broke from the mans lips.
\ He fell back in his chair, and bent his
head on the table, presenting heart
rending picture of broken and crush
ed man, whose long cherished sin has
at last found him out. Enderby, look
ing down on him, felt pity that al
most choked him rise In his heart.
ut is fearful PREPARATION, but God
and justice demand it Of you!" he said
slowly. "sir Henry, heaven is my wit
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