The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-06-21
ae CrimSon
BY Fred NJ. Whi'e
CHAPTER xly-tcont,nued.)

CHAPTER XIv-(Continued.)
That is what they all say-and then
they rob me. You stole the Rem
brandt"
The last words came like a shot from
q catapult. Ends face grew colder.
Bell drew a long tube Of discolored pa
per carefully tied around a stick, from
his pocket. =
IT am going to disprove that nce and
for ALL" he said. 1.-The rembrandt Is at
present II Lord Littimer's collection.
There is an account of it in to-day's
Telegraph. 1t is perfectly familiar to
both Of you. And. that being the case,
what do you. think of this?'
He unrolled the pape before Ends
%astonished eyes. Margaret Henson
glanced at 1t listlessly; she was fast
striking into the old, strange oblivion
again. But Enid was all rapt attention.
II would have sworn to hat as Lord
Littimer's own!'' h gasped.
at is his own" Bell replied. Stolen
frcnt him, and a copy placed by some
arch-enemy IN my portmanteau. 1t
was certain to be found on the frontier;
Don't you see that there were two Rem
brandts? When the one from my port
manteau was restored to Littimer his
own was kept by the thief. Subsequent
ly 1t would be exposed as a new find,
with some story as to its discovery,
only, unfortunately for the scoundrel,
1t came into my possession"
And where did O find it?" Enid
asked.
IT found It," said Bell, slowly, Gin a
house called 21S, Brunswick Square,
Brighton"
A strange cry came from Ends lips.
She stood swaying beforel her lover as
white as the paper on which her eyes
were eagerly fixed. Margaret Henson
was pacing up and down the ROOM. her
lips muttering, Inc raising a cloud OF
pallid dus behind her.
I'll am sorry" Enid said, faltering-
1y. "And all these years I have deemed
you guilty. But then. the proof was
80 plain; I could not deny the evidence
Of my own senses. And Van Gulden
came to me. saying how deeply dis
tressed he was, and that he would have
prevented the catastrophe If he could.
Wen?"
A servant stood waiting in the door,
way, with wondering eyes at the
stranger.
I'm sorry, MISS" she said; "but
Miss Christiania is worse; indeed, she
quite frightens me. I've taken the lib
srty of telephoning to DR.. Walker"
The words seemed to bring conscious
ness to Margaret Henson.
"Christiania worse" she said. can
other of them going; it will be a happy
release from a house of sorrow like
this. I will come up, Martini"
She swept out of the room with the
servant. Enid appeared hardly to
have heard. Bell looked at her inquir-
lngly, ard with some little displeasure.
II fancy I have heard you speak Of
your sister Christianla," he said. Els
she ill?"
"She is at the point of death, I I'M
derstand; you think I am callous. Oh.
If you only knew! But the light will
come to us all in time, God willing.
Look at this place, look at the blight Of
It and wonder how W. endure it. Hath
erly. I have made a discovery"
I'VE seem to be living in an atmo-
s.'here of discoveries. What is it?"
II will answer you question by ask
ing another. You have been made the
victim Of a vile conspiracy. For sever
years your career has been b1ighted.
And I have lost even years Of my life,
too. Have you any idea who your en-
envy is?"
"Not the faintest, but. believe me, I
shall f1n1 out in time. And then
A purple b%lackness, like the lurid
light Of a storm flashed into his eyes,
the lines of his mouth grew rigid.
Enid laid a hand tenderly on his arm.
"Your enemy is the COMMON enemy OF
Us ALL" she said. "We have wasted the
years, but we are young yet. Your en-
envy is Reginald Henson"
ENID, you speak with conviction.
Arc you certain of this?"
Certain. When I have time I will
tell you everything. But not now. And
that man must never know that you
have been near the house tonight, not
30 much for your sake as for the sake
of your friend, David Steele. Now I can
see the Providence behind 1t all. Hath
erly. tell me that o forgive me be-
tore the others come back"
my darling, I cannot see how you
could have acted otherwise"
Enid turned towards him with a glad
tight in her eyes. She said nothing. for
the simple reason that there was Moth
ing to say. Hathely Bell caught her in
his strong arms. and she swayed to
reach his lips. In that delicious mo-
ment the world was all forgot.
But not for long. There was a sud-
den rush and a tumble Of feet on tho
stairs, there was a strange voice speak
ing hurriedly, then the drawing room.
door opened and Margaret Henson
came in. She looked wild and excited.
ard tailed incoherently. An obviously,
professional man followed her.
my lear madam" he was saying.
81 have done all I can. Insthe last few
days I have not been able to disguise
from myself that there was small hope
for the patient. The exhaustion, the
shock to the system. the congestion, all
point to an early collapse"
rs my sister SO much worse, DR..
Walker?" Enid asked, quietly. q
she could not be any worse and be
alive" the doctor said. "Unless I IN
greatly mistaken, the gentleman behind
you is Mr.. Hatherly bell. I presume
he has been called to meet me? II 80,
i am sincerely glad. because I shall be.
pleased to have a second opinion. a
rad case Of's-here followed q long,
technical ~nanic-"one Of the worst cases;
+ have cyer seem Il 4 a III
you can command me, Enid, Bell,
said. s..If 7 can.vy zss S5s
nc, no!' Enid cried. What ami
saying? Plcarc go up stairs with Mar