Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-05-10
CHAPTER xii. (Continued.)

fhe story some DAY, Sdiu Cldi1Sc' 1AHu
then she told it very simply, as the
Doctor had told it to her. OF the poor
l,oy's promise of amendment OF life,
and of the act of bravery which had
brought it to a close
.Doctor Drake said that whatever
his life may have been, he died like
hero" said Clarice. her own voice
urea king a little as she repeated the
words.
"Did he say that? What a good,
kind man he is: the best friend
have ever had, except you, Clarice."
said Janetta, smiling through her
tears.
"Your brothers death seemed so
peaceful by comparison with that poor
wretch's whom the Doctor hunted
down. continued Clarice. often
wonder where Mason is. She went on
apparently early on the night OF the
robbery, and the police have never
1,een able to obtain the faintest clue
10 her whereabouts. It was quite clear
from the letters she left behind her
that the man was her lover, and had
obtained all his information from her."
sob. yes; it was the same voice,
said Janetta, then started and colored.
She had not meant to betray the fact
that she had overheard Mason talking
to some unknown man in the shrub
hery. and had warned Mrs. Mortimer
about her. The words had slipped from
her.
"What voice?' asked Clarice eagerly.
And Janetta thought it best to relate
the story.
..Ah. that makes many things clear
which I found it SO hard to explain"
said Clarice, thoughtfully. IT could
never make out why Mrs. Mortimer
seemed to blame herself so bitterly for
the burglary having happened. quite
accepted her confession OF injustice to
you and declined to take her notice to
leave, as you freely forgave her; but I
could not see in what way she could
consider herself responsible for the
robbery. Poor woman! how terribly
she has suffered; but it has done her
good, Janetta. She is far gent!er and
kinder than she was, and she has kept
a dragon watch over the house, appar-
emily, during our absence. think it's
getting chilly. Hadn't we better be
making our way back to the hotel?'
When they got back to their hotel
they found that table d'hote was al
ready served.
I'VE will go in as we are, said
sCiarice And they advanced into the
brilliantly lighted salon and took their
places. Seated exactly opposite them
twas Doctor Drake, who regarded them
with smiling eyes.
What, again." said Clarice, with a
nod and laugh, greeting him as ii
they had only parted the night before.
You must be spending q perfect for
tune in travelling expenses! And look.
your occupation is gone!" she said,
with proud glance at Janetta. "She
does not look as if she needed much
doctoring, does she?"
"My visit is entirely for pleasure"
said Doctor Drake, laughing. I'm out
for holiday at last. The world was
before me where to choose, and II I've
taken a fancy like yourselves to visit
Spain, / cannot see why you should
make any objection"
None in the world retorted Clar-
ice merrily.
When dinner was ended it was but
natural that the doctor should join
the girls in the hall, and, sitting down
by their side, tell them all the home
news.
I'VE have agreed this afternoon that
we will go back" said Clarice. 1--WE
IRE tired of wandering, aren't you, Jan
etta?''
Janetta nodded. 1--WE are waiting
Tor an outburst of welcome from you,"
she said. smiling at the doctor, who
seemed lost in a fit of abstractin.
1T would have found vent before
this, except that your homecoming
will not benefit me much. I'm going
to ieave Northcliff"
The faces Of both his listeners grew
blank
How horrid of you!" cried Clarice
petulantly. And the impetuous words
brought pink flush to the doctors
fair face. IT suppose it's case OF
money
Eyes; it's money and a baronetcy,"
replied the doctor, dryly.
You are joking
I'm not. I'll go and write my name
In the visitors book this instant II you
don't believe me- Sir Robert Drake!'
Do look the part?" he went on, with
rather forced laugh. 1.-TWO distant
male relatives died one after the other,
and awoke one morning lately to find
myself transformed from doctor in
country town into baronetcy and
the fortune
Then I suppose we must congratu-
late you," said Clarice, in avoice that
nevertheless sounded little cold and
stif. To tell the truth, she did not
at all relish the notion of the sudden
removal of knight upon whose will
Ing devotion she could always depend.
You need not Life is one big dis