Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-14
Copyright, 1902, by T. c. McClure.)
CHAPTER XIII.


CHAPTER XIII.
My Love.
AS soon as Amber Jevons had slipped out
through my little study my love came for
ward slowly. as though with some unwill
incness.
She was dressed, as at the inquest, in
deep mourning, wearing a smartly-cut,
tailor-msde dress trimmed with astrakhan
and a neat toque. her pale countenance COW
cred with a thick spotted veil.
Ralph" she exclaimed in a low voice,
forgive me for calling upon you at this
hour. I knew it's indiscreet, but I am very
anxious TO see you"
/ returned her greeting rather coldly, /
am afraid, and led her to the big armchair
which had only a moment before been va
Gated by my friend.
When she seated herself and faced me I
saw how changed she was. even though she
did not lift her veil. Her dark eyes seemed
hnggard and sunken, her cheeks, usually
pink with the glow Of health, we're white,
almost CHASTITY. and her slim, well-gloved
hand, resting upon the chair arm, trembled
perceptlbly.
You have not come to me for two whole
days. Ralph" she commenced in a tone
Of complaint. Surely you do not intend
" utbHl ut III lhtht VI ulblItsb4
81 must apologize" I responded quickly,
remembering Jevons' advice. but the fact
is l myself have been very upset over the
sad affair, and, In addition, I've had sew
eral serious cases during the last few days.
Sir Bernard has been unwell, and I've been
compelled to look after his practice"
"sir Bernard" she calculated, in a tone
which instantly struck me as strange. 1t
was as though she held him in adherence.
do you know, Ralph, I hate to thing OF you
In association with that man."
"Why7" / asked, much surprised, while
at that same moment the thought flashed
through my mind how often Sir Bernard
had given me vague warnings regarding
her.
They were evidently bitter enemies.
II have no intention to give my reasons"
che replied. her brows slightly knit. Il
merely give 1t as my opinion that you
nhould ne longer remain in association with
him"
But surely you are alone in that opin-
ionl" l said. HE bears the highest char
acter. and is certainly one Of the first
physicians In London. His practice is, per-
haps, the most valuable Of any medical
man at the present moment"
II don't deny that, she said, her gloved
fingers twitching nervously. "a man may
be a king, and at the same time a knave.'
l smiled. 1t was apparent that her in
tention was to separate me from the man
to whom / owed nearly all, IL not quite
all. my success. And why? Because he
knew Of her past. and she feared that he
might, in a moment Of confidence, betray
all to me.
Vague hints are always irritating" ]
remarked. Cannot you give me some rea-
son for your desire that my friendship with
him should end?'
mo. II I did you would accuse me OF
selfish motives she said, fixing her DARK
eyes upon me.
Could a woman with such a Madonna
like countenance be actually guilty Of muir
der7 1t seemed incredible. And yet hei
manner was that Of a woman haunted by
the terrible secret Of her crime. At thai
moment she was seeking, by ingenious
means, to conceal the truth regarding the
past. She feared that my intimate friend
ship with the great physician might result
in her unmasking.
81 can't see that selfish motives ente
into this affair at ALL" l remarked. what
ever you tell me. Ethelwynn, is, l know
for my own benefit. Therefore, you SHOULD
at least be explicit"
81 can't be more explicit"
"Why notf"
beChuhe 4 nave no right I ull6T u llDe
without being absolutely certain Of tn,
facts"
81 don't quite follow you" I said, rattle
puzzled.
II mean that at present the information
I have is vague" she replied. But II 1
Is the truth. as l expect to establish II
then you must dissociato yourself fror
him. Ralph"
you have only suspicions?"
"only suspicious"
. LOT what?"
"of a fact which will some day astoun
you"
Our eyes met again, and I saw in her
a look Of intense earnestness that cause
me 10 wonder. To what could she possibl
be referring2
"You certainly arouse my curiosity"
said, affecting a laugh. d you reall
think Sir Bernard such a very dreadful per
son, them"
"Ahl You do not take my words serI
ously." she remarked. 81 am warning 20,
Ralph, for your own beneht. It is a pit
you do not heed me-"
~ do heed YOU" / declared. "only yor
statement is so strange that 1t appears al
most Incredible
incredible 1t may seem. but one da
ere long you will be convinced that whI
say tonight is the truth"
What do you say?'
81 say that Sir Bernard Eyton, the ms
in whom you place every confidence, an
whose example as q great man in his pr
fession you are so studiously following.
not your friend"
Nor yours. l suppose"
mo, neither lie he mlne.'
This admission was at least the trutI
had known It long ago. But what hs
been the cause Of difference between the
was hidden In deepest mystery. Sir Bel
nard. as old Mr.. courtenay's most intimat
friend, knew in all probability Of his Ell
gagement to her and OF it's rupture in favt
OF her sister. Mary. 1t might even be tn
Sir Bernard had had a hand in the breakir
OF the engagement. II so, that would we