The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-26

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other grief than this! Yet why alas" ]?
Had she not told me that her greatest
wish, her supreme desire, was to see his
character restored to it's old standing in
her eyes, and had he not at this moment
cleared himself of the one sin her woman
ly heart would find it hardest to pardon?
The cry of poor Hope!" with which my
heart was charged changed to happy
Hope and my composure, which had
been sadly shaken, was slowly returning,
when the insoluble mystery Of the situa-
ticn absorbed me again, and glanced at
Mr.. Gryce to see hiw he had been affected
by Mr. Gillespie's announcement.
This aged detective, who. when last
looked his way, was standing alone in the
doorway, now had Sweetwater at his side,
that agile young man having bounded
into the room before the words which
had made so great change in the situa-
ton had fully left Mr.. Gillespie's lips;
and the contrast of expression as seen IN
the two faces was noticeable sweet
water, young in experience, young In
feeling, reflected in look and attitude the
sensations Of awakening sympathy and in
| terest with which l own my own breast
was full, while the older detective, with
characteristic prudence. withheld his
| Judgment, and, consequently, his sympa-
thy, for the explanations which such an
! aVDWal from such a man certainly de-
manded.
Indeed, the situation might very natur-
ally suggest to one so accustomed to the
seamy side of human nature, that this
sudden demise OF an inconvenient witness
chimed in too opportunity with the need
of the man he had come there to arrest,
! for it to be viewed without suspicion.
| There was, however, only tinge Of
this feeling in his voice as he quietly re-
| marked:
II thought you buried your wife five
years ago in Cornwall
"And thought so ALSO" was Leighton
Gillespie's quiet reply. For many, many
wretched weeks and months I believed
this in common with all my friends. Then
but it is long story, Mr.. Gryce. Do
you require me to relate 1T now and
| here?"
The reverence with which he allowed his
hand to touch rather than fall on the
breast he had so carefully covered from
our curious gaze spoke volumes. At the
sight of this simple action, both men
bent their heads. l doubt if he noticed it..
A stray lock which had escaped from the
coverlet and now hung curling and gilt
tering over the straw which protruded
from the wretched pallet, had attracted
his eye Lifting it with a lingering touch,
he put 1t softly out Of sight; then he
quietly said:
II would like to have one fact made
known to the public. My father was igno-
rant to the last that it was a stranger
and not my wife we buried in Cornwall.
There were reasons which made it diff
cult for me to tell him that Mrs. Gillespie
still lived; and while l make no excuses
for the silence I maintained towards him
on this subject, I acknowledge that to it
are due my present position and the mis-
cry am now under Of seeing the darling
of my heart die in an attic where 1 would
not house a dog"
The accents Of heartfelt sorrow are not
to be mistaken. The air of severity with
which Mr. Gryce had hitherto surveyed
this supposed criminal softened into a
look more in keeping with. his native be-
revolence, but he had no reply ready, and
the silence became painful. Indeed, the
situation was not an easy one for: even so
| experienced man as Mr.. Gryce to handle,
and. noting his embarrassment l bounded
into the room and took my place at his
side, much as sweetwater had done
Mr.. Gillespie scarcely. remarked this
new inroad upon his privacy He doubt
less took me for another police officer, and
as such not to be noted or counted. But
the detectives showed some surprise at
my intrusion, which seeing, 1 turned to
Mr. Gryce and said:
If you will excuse my presumption ]
should like to speak to Mr.. Gillespie"
The latter started, possibly at my tone
and, wheeling about, gazed at my bare
head and drenched figure with sharp curl
osity in which a growing recognition soon
| became visible.
I at once bowed.
you remember me-" suggested. g
am Mr.. Cultivate. If you will pardon
my method of entrance and the proc
which It gives of my connection with
these men, 1 should like to offer YOU m,
assistance at this crisis. Mr. Gryce evi.
IDENTIFY wishes some conversation will
you, which you rightly hesitate to &C.
cord him in place made sacred by the
| presence of your dead wife. If you will
| have confidence in me, will watch thi.
room while you go below. No one shall
approach the bed and no one shall entel
the room, If Mr. Gryce will leave a guart
at the door. Will you accept this serv
Ice? It is sincerely rendered"
He stood perplexed, cycling me will
mingled doubt and astonishment; then
turning with an inexpressihle look 0
longing towards the one OBJECT of hi
care, he cried:
You do not understand or you woul,
not ask me to leave her, not for mo
ment. ! have not had her 50 near me
so near my hand, so near my heart, thes
many minutes in years. She cannot ris
and run away from me now. She doe
not even wish to. This is a Happiness
to me you cannot appreciate, Happiness
cannot endure seeing cut short. Leav
me, then, l pray, and come again whe,
she has been laid in her grave. Yo
will find me ready to receive you, read
to explain"
You ask the Impossible interrupte
Mr.. Gryce. "Some explanations Will no
bide the convenience Of even so recen
q lnourner as yourself If you do no
wish to be taken Immediately from thi
place, you will make some few thing
clear to us. What has this woman had t
do with your fathers death"
: Nothing" 5s5.
The fire with which leighton Gillespi
uttered this word made us both start
. Aghast at what struck me as a. direc
falsehood, inztinctively opened my lips
But Mr.. Gryee made me an imperceptibl
gesture and I refrained from carryin
out my inconsiderate impulse.
! Il see," continued the unhappy mar
/ that suspicious which I had suppose
confined to my brothers and myself hav
involved my innocent wife. This is NOR
than l can bear. l will at once max
known to YOU my miserable story.
] Mr.. (.ryce drew up a chair and sa
down AS there was no other in the roo1
we knew what that meant The dam
: air was beginning to tell upon the rheu
matte cid man. Attention being thu
: called to the open window, Sweetwate
, moved over and closed it. Never sha
ID forget the look which Leighton Gillespi
: cast towards the bed as that broken an
a ill-ftting sash came rafting down.
"See If the hall is clear said M
!. Gryce.
The young detective crossed to the doc