Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-12-03

help while in that sin-stained house"
doctor Elfensteinp' exclaimed Ethel,
rising to her feet, surprise and horror
blending together on each Of her beauti-
full features, and wonder and dismay
settling in her large hazel eyes; what
is this you are saying to mei IL / un-
dcrstand Alright, you are accusing me Of
being an accessory to some dark crimel
Speak, Did | understand you To mean
this2"
you surely did"
Then, SIR" returned the indignant
girl, drawing up her slight figure to its
full height, while queenly dignity
reigncd in each motion, even though ev-
cry particle Of color left both cheek and
lip, "then, sir, all | shall say in reply
is that you accuse me falsely, and in do
Ing so yOu cease to be my friend!'
But Miss Nevergail, reflect one mo-
ment Had / not been your friend 1
should wish no explanation. ! am your
friend, while | desire to be sure of your
innocence. You say, and | rejoice to
hear you affirm it, that you are gultless.
VIII you not relieve my mind of these
doubts by telling me frankly the nature
of your occupation while Mt the halle"
Clnsping her hands together In anguish,
the poor girl only answered: Would that
| might, but caunotv
Then, Miss Nevergail, shall be
obliged to tell you that all has been dis
covered, and that your horrible secret is
known"
80, thank hcavenl Can it he possible!
Please go on, for | am anxious to hear
all you know, but dare not utter one
wOrdl' exclaimed Ethel.
"Nou must learn then, that your night
ly work was to carry food to a certain
concealed room, place it upon revolving
shelves. and"
doctor, you do indeed know all; then
now am | free to speak, as no secret will
be revealed by me2 Those shelves were
knocked over, and the ape escaped that
night. 1t was his dreadful howl that so
frightened us. Tell me, has the animal
been recaptured. and returned to the
owncrT'
"Ape2 Ownerf" quried the doctor,
surprise Illuminating each one of his
speaking features. What can you
meanT
Eyes; Sir Reginald said 1t was kind
never before seen of that species. He
was keeping it concealed, until the owner
returned with other extraordinary curios
tiles, he was abroad collecting When
he did return, all were to be exhibited.
The fact that he kept it's existence a Sc
crct, and made me take a solemn oath
never to reveal it, was certainly no
crime 1t was absurd, and the absurd
ity sprang from a love of money, but in
conserving to preserve the creatures life
by giving him food, during his lord
ships illness, | did it only because he
was nervous, and seemed to worry 80
much over its helplessness. / saw moth
ing wrong in it, and as it was not sinful,
| am not ashamed of it."
While she thus spoke. change, in
deed, came over her listener. Surprise
gave place to hope, hope to joy, and as
the last words were uttered, the doctor
had risen and clasped both her hands in
his. while he exclaimed:
81 see it all nowi l have been rash.
harsh and cruel in my judgment, and
scarcely dare ask you to forgive me. But
l must be forgiven, or 1 can never rest +"
you are forgiven. But let ME hear
how this animal was discovered, and also
how he looksf AS l fed him 80 long, and
he frightened me SO terribly, should be
one of the first 10 know"
You shall hear the whole story at
once. Come 10 the sofa, dear Ethel, and
let me hold your hand in token of peace,
being fully established between us. First,
then, let me say you were deceived. The
man calling himself Sir Reginald Glen
dcnning concocted an infamous lie for
your benefit, when he told you that an
al InI Ia IA
was no ape, but his own poor brother, Sir
Arthur, whom for twenty-five years he
held chained to the floor alone, dead to
the world, in that horrible prison."
"Oh, doctor, doctor! can this be true p
exclaimed the poor girl, shudderng deep
| y at his words. Did indeed push that
wretched food to a human beingl 1t is
too terrible to believed l cannot endure
the thought"
You did; but be calm, for heaven
ordered 1t to be SO. Remember that, and
that through you he obtained a knife
which aided him at last to escape"
"Never can l forget the anxiety | felt
after committing what then thought
terrible bunder. | feared the ape would
kill himself. When he escaped that nigh
| knew after few minutes that it wa,
the supposed animal and fearing tn,
discovery of It's existence through my
means, | prevented you from examining
the place. l had taken solemn vow
never to reveal his being In life, neithe
the fact of a concealed ROOM"
Ethel then went over her whole expe
) rience while at the hall, TO which Earl
listened with intense interest, ending
with Sir Rcginad's rough usage whe,
she was dismissed, to which he ais
I listened with fierce Indignation.
l When DR., Elfensten, in return, toll
his listener that Rev. Edwin G. Stile
: and Sir Arthur were one, her amaze
r ment knew no bounds, and with breath
e less interest she listened to the whol
;. tragic story.
What has been done with the body ?
!, 1T was taken to Glendenning Hall TIL
morning, where it lies in state. The Sc
e wants all returned, and have loanc
: Mrs. Clum to the place until come baC
n from America, as while absent my CO
I tage will be closed"
Are you going to leave US, doctor
y murmured his companion, In dlsmay,