Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-10

"Thc papers are crorded 1Ctth it," he
gOuncd.
would have supposed. Let us read the
reports calmly All. so! This mention
of my poor little romance might be
somewhat trying to n sensitive nature
like my fathers, which | fortunately
did not inherit"
"This linking of your name with this
woman's," he groaned, sis most unfor-
tunatc. She is continually referred to
as an actress"
"She is one" said Brenda, land. be-
tween ourselves, think she must be
exceptionally clever. l hope Clarence
will not make her leave the stage yet
until she has had career of her own
year or two before she efiaces her.
self by marriage"
1T seems to me-" said he, "that In
trying to be fair to this woman. in try.
ing to set aside all prejudice and nat.
ural resentment, you have gone to an
absurd extreme upon the other side.
You can never have anything in com.
mon with her. There can be no Ques-
ton of friendly relations
but there can," replied Brenda.
Forgive me for contradicting my dear
old father, who is always SO worried
about me and always SO good to me. |
shall make her my friend. if | can. and
you will be glad when you know her"
Maclane raised his hands toward
heaven, sprnkling the floor with frag-
mcnts of newspapers as he did so. 1t
was his usual gesture of defeat.
"And now" said Brenda, ito use
your favorte expression let's get down
to business | am here to take care Of
| Miss NJ ilcr. and you will not ask me
to desert her when you learn that DR..
Kendall says am a wonderful nurse.
By the way, you see am in the very
best society, for there can't be any,
| thing above the old Philadelphia Ken.
dalls. However, to return to business,
see clearly enough where all this is
tending. The papers speak only good
Of me this morning. Private gossip
will scarcely know what to say for a
day or two, but in the end, unless some.
| thing Is done TO prevent 1t, ! shall be-
come identical with this mysterious
woman and the actual object of suspi-
cion. That, admit, would be mis-
! fortune for if the case remains a mys-
terry, as think it may. shall never
be clear of the faint OF il"
But doesn't the girl know who did
IT." demanded Maclane. They hint
that she is shielding some one. and you
will find some very unpleasant things
about Alden"
He is entirely innocent" said Bren-
da. "Of course you know that as well
as do. The best thing for all of us is
to establish the fact immediately that
the crime was the work of thief"
But suppose it wasn'tW
"Thcn.' said Brenda, lit must be
made tc appear so"
81 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., Al
den. 1t is not fair to you that he
should conceal his defense, if he has
one. The sooner the case is thoroughly
cleared OF that mystery the better foI
u.s."
Reduced to a theft" said Brenda
1.-THE papers will cease to print much
about It,"
"You are quite right" replied Mr.
Maclane. But my first move will he
in Alden's direction. must know
where he stands. or there will be nc
safety for you in any line of action. II
he is guilty, we must not appear as his
accomplces 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 sucl
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'!
nerves on edge again, and he was In |
most wretchcd frame of mind when h
left the hospital.
1t CHANGED that as he emerged from
the structure he encountered Alden
who had just come from Kendall
room and was full of good will to al
mankind as the result of the converse
ton with the doctor. He felt that Mac
lane had a just grievance against him
and he began at once a most earnest M
tempt to repair the injury. Maclan
was relieved to find Alden in plan
mood-the rarest Of all his moods, b.
the way-and the two walked towar,
the avenue together in an atmospher
Of cordially such as surrounds some
times the unfrcndly victims of com
mon misfortune.
Upon arriving at his office Alden me
Detective Elmendorf. with the resul
llready disclosed. Profting by the nd
ice received in the course Of this IN
rrylew and by his memories OF man
tories OF crimes. criminals and sleutl
ounds of the law. Alden succeeded ,
.udipg both the shadow of "troubl
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