Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-04-03

ut VI tOu4 ~ NOAA hliON AiiA 40 NtA4
as DO The best thing for all of us is
to establish the fact Immediately that
the crime was the work of a thief"
But suppose 1t wasn'tr
Then" said Brenda. lit must be
made to appear So"
Il see what you mean," replied he,
land will consult my lawyer about it.
| have already discovered that he un-
dcrstands the police thoroughly. Per
haps something may be done by the
use OF plenty of money. Meanwhile
would like to be satisfied about Mr. AT
den. 1t is not fair to you that he
should conceal his defense, II he has
one The sooner the case is thoroughly
cleared Of that mystery the better for
u.s."
"Reduced to n theft" said Brenda,
1.-THE papers viii cease TO print much
about it,"
"You are quite right" replied Mr.
Maclane. But my first move will be
in Alden's direction. | must know
where he stands. or there will be no
safety for, you in any line of action. r.
he is guilty, we must not appear as his
accomplices after the fact"
"That is monstrous," insisted Bren-
da do not consider IT,"
They spoke for some minutes of mi
nor matters. turning over the papers
together, while Brenda selected such
portions as she thought that DR.. Ken
dali might permit Elsie to see. The
sight Of these stories with their abun-
dant Illustrations set Mr.. Maclane's
nerves on edge again. and he was In a
most wretched frame Of mind when he
left the hospital.
1t chanced that as he emerged from
the structure he encountered Alden,
who had just come from KendalPs
room and was full of good will to all
mankind as the result of the conversa-
ton with the doctor He felt that Mac
lane had just grievance against him,
and he began at once most earnest at
tempt to repair the injury. Maclane
was relieved to find Alden in plant
mood--the rarest Of all his moods, by
the way-and the two walked toward
the avenue together In an atmosphere
Of cordiallty such as surrounds some
times the unfriendly victims Of COM
mon misfortune.
Upon arriving at his Office Alden met
Detective Elmendorf, with the result
already disclosed Profting by the ad
vice received In the course Of this In
terview and by his memories of many
stories of crimes, criminals ;~d sleuth-
hounds Of the law, Alden succeeded in
eludng both the shadow Of trouble"
and the SHADOW of business" and his
doings for an hour or two were wholly
unknown to the police. At o'clock he
appeared Mt ST. Winlfred's hospital,
where he was informed by DR.. Kendall
that Elsie would receive him presently.
At that moment Elsie was confidlng
to Brenda her opinion that Mr.. Alden
would suffer n grlevous disappoint-
ment
"He won't expect to see me like
this" she said 81 look like deaths
head on handsplke, as my cousin
Billy says. Billy was in the naval re-
serves during the war and prevented
the spanlards from capturing New
York, but that's another story.
Brenda, If | should put on just little
bit of rouge don't want to frlghten
him"
"You don't want to think Of rouge
for ten years." replied Brenda. "And
besides. my dear. you haven't any.
Moreover. he won't know how you
look; he will be too glad to see you
alive"
"Of course you think | am very
trivial and absurd" said Elsie. "but do
you realize that he may not see me
again? No one can know precisely
how | am hurt. This wound may be
nearer to n vital spot than DR.. Kendall
suspects or will tell. A break of wall
as thin as paper. little blood spilled
here beneath my hand. and | am gone
In n moment. Perhaps tonight; per-
haps even while he sits here beside
me- And this last sight Of me will be
the memory he will carry as long as he
lives. want It to blot out the face of
every other girl that he will ever see"
"Then don't blot out your own with
the contents Of n rouge pot" said
Brenda. "Hark! They are coming
along the corridor"
She stepped to the door and ushered
In Alden and Kendall.
Alden had the pale, set face of
Nathan Hale going to execution. AS
often happens with a man too strenu-
ously prepared bis eyes failed to fo-
Gus, and he stared for n moment Mt
Elsie without really seeing her. Had
she been the wasted and pitlable OBJ
ject that his lnexperlence led him to
expect he would probably have borne !
the sight of her with great fortltude,
but when her face emerged from the
mlsts of imperfect vision precisely
Elsie's. with every well remembered |
attribute of beauty. It was an attack |
upon an unprotected spot in his de- |
fenses. and every drop Of blood In bis |
body cried out with the voice OF one |
great sob.
"This Is what was afraid Of" NUT
tered Kendall. "Coufound hlml | |
knew he'd break down."
He glanced uneasily Mt Elsie, but she |
seemed quite calm. She extended her /
hand toward Alden, and he kissed 1t,
falling on his knees beside the bed.
you must not feel sorry for me-"
said she. II ain very comfortable, and |
waste no time in plying myself. 1t
was very kind of you to send the yio-
let's"
"Dear little girl" he said. still kneel-
ing every minute Of my life shall be
yours to make this right"
you are not to speak that wny," re-
piled Elsie, with that manner which
accompanies long considered words.
you have your own life to lead. You
must not spoil 1t for me"
Alden's face was gray with anxiety
MS he looked into Elslc's.
"Don't say we have gone back; that
it's all like long ago" he began. But
the warning eye of the vigilant Ken
dali, who had softly stepped to The
head OF the bed upon the other side,
this plea. Alden wrlthed with
the effect. but his will held him.
81 mustn't worry YOU" he said; then.
with half mn eye on Kendall: Elsie.
who did this? Tell me. little girl"
81 don't know; really | don't" she
answered. "Why do you think that |