The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-23
By MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON,
Copyright 1908 by the National Press Agency.
EY ,es,as X * 81 " 81 .: a;ss

|
room.
4 Breakspear would have been glad to
tear up the paper and let the girl remain
happily in ignorance Of the threat; but
that he had no right to do, and after
thinking it over for a few moments. he
had begun to scribble note in pencil to
Maya, when Elizabeth Truce knocked at
his door. She waited until it was fin
ished with its few words Of explanation
as to how the enclosed paper had come
into Breakspear's hands, and its plea to
offer another more intricate explanation
in person; but Jim had not expected an
answer nearly as soon as Maya appeared
at his door.
Miss Truce gave you my note?" he
said 1t was good Of you to come for I
can guess what you must have been think
ing Of me-if you knew that was gone.
II haven't had the note, for Miss Truro
lost it, the girl faltered, growing red and
| pale under his eyes. You can tell me
what you said"
Jim did tell her. but unable to resist the
| temptation of justifying himself without
delay. he told the story Of his own night
adventure first, then came to the incident
| OF the stone and the paper AS he went
on. however he began to realize what a
strange tale it was, how almost incredible.
and tho it made his heart ache to see it,
he could not be surprised at the doubling
usefulness in Maya's eyes.
You will not go to meet that man?' he
pleaded, when he had finished all he had
to say and she was still silent.
II must. Please do not let US talk, of
It," the girl answered. And now must
leave YOU"
If you will not listen to me, won't you
speak to your cousin. and let him help or
at least advise you?" Jim persisted.
Michael is not here Maya said, quiet
ly, as if 1t were useless to explain or dwell
upon his absence. II have no one now
no one at ALL. ...
: The words struck at. Breakspeak's
heart for tho she had not put her doubts
Of his good faith into accusation. he un-
derstood all the meaning Of those last few,
simply spoken words. She no longer
trusted him. He did not blame her. and
since his story had not proved convincing,
he would not argue more in his own de-
Tense; but the iron entered into his soul.
II would give my life to help you; but
I can't expect you to value my protesta-
tions." was all he said.
Maya did not answer, save by a weary
! little sigh; and a second later she was
gone. S..
Perhaps Breakspeak had never known
moments more bitter than those which fol-
lowed the closing Of his door to Maya. He
ragged helpessly against the idea that she
meant to yield to the blackrlailer's de-
. mands, whatever they might be, yet he
had no right to prevent her even if they
+, had been possible. He could not use force
to keep her back, and evidently no per-
suasion of his would avail. He was
gloomly reviewing the situation when
quick tap came at his door, and almost
l before he could answer, 1t was flung open
to show Maya, pale as marble, scarcely
able to articulate the words she strove to
! utter. ..... ..-
l my father!" she stammered, with white
lips. He is dying, I think-perhap
/ dead. Oh, can you come with me; are
YOU able? 1 must trust you now You
will not betray us?"
1T Is hard to bear that you should
dream I would; but that doesn't matter
now. Let US co. Jim answered. @-.
He had never been told the secret of
the North Wing. supposng it ruinous
as it appeared outside. yet he felt very lit
tie surprise when Maya led him there.
; Neither had he been informed Of the iden
tity Of that mysterious relative with whom
Maya lived, but he had guessed that it
. must be the girls father.
The figure in the gray dressing gown
,, lay as it had fallen, looking pathetically
. small and thin, and JIM who was not
, used to being an invalid, stopped to raise
it in his arms He was ashamed of the
: : effort it cost him, and hoped that Maya
: did not see the involuntary vince he
gave, as lifting the dead weight sent a
stab Of pain thru his side. He carried
> the unconscious form to the adjoining
room, so dimly lighted thru it's curtain of
Ivy. and laid it on the bed.
1 Jim knew almost nothing about illness,
/ and Maya's experience of her fathers
l malady helped her very little now, for
8 she had never seen him in such state
' before. There were great shadowy hol-
3 lows under his half closed eyes, and the
9 lips were of a blush tint. Only the faint,
Q irregular futtering of the heart and a
1 gasping breath now and then told that
. he still lived .....
The young man and the girl worked
4 over him, pouring a few drops of medi-
:. cine between the clenched teeth. chaflng
I the hands, putting hot water to the feet;
but the hours passed, and his condition
!. seemed only slightly changed for the bet
/ ter. At last Miss Truro came home,
: somewhat relieved In mind on her broth
: ers account. He had not had an acct
y y dent as she had feared. but had been
u seized during the previous evening at
the Coach and Horse with a curious at
= tack that no one could quite explain te
y his sister. He had walked into the bar
and fingered awhile, entering into con
:, versation with one or two strangers who
- had come that day to Mallery-Tav The,
:, had all had drinks together, tho mo-
q enough, the landlord insisted, to middle
9 the weakest head. Be that as it might
u Thomas Truro had shown signs Of beins
overcome, and had fallen into a deer
a sleep In the corner Of the old fashioned
: settle. ....
IS So soundly had he slumbered that 1
d was found impossible to rouse him com
TT pletely, and he had been put to bed II
n one Of the spare rooms.
S, When Miss Truro arrived next morn
1t Ing he was awake, but suffering from 81
i'd severe headache that he pronounce,
III himself unable to rise and go home unit
tn he should be better; therefore, she ha,
to returned to the farm in temper, bu
lie with an easier mind.
err The village chemist had been able t
Re make UP the medicine which Maya ha