The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-30

Did any one else see 1.-THE authori-
ties?'
NO. You can set your mind at rest,
Mr. Ireland. l got 1t from Lola before
she was taken TO prison. No one had
seen it but myself and Lord Derring-
tom"
Ireland drew long breath of relief.
You made strange remark just now,
George" he said, not looking at the
youngs man. You told me to set my
mind at rest Why did you say that!"
II have read the confession" said
George quietly.
Then you knowT
II know that my fathers death was
due to IN accident"
"What! Did that wretched woman
tell the truthY'
"She told the truth"
"And she did not accuse me of bav.
ing murdered your father?"
No. She did not. | suppose she
ehought 1t was as well to go to her
long nome with as few sins as possible
on her conscience"
THANK God for that" said Ireland.
George" he said in faltering tones.
4 have suffered greatly OH account of
that most unhappy accident Your fa-
tner ana l were not very good friends.
as 4 round it difficult to forgive him
Tor having taken from me the woman
l loved. But ut San Reno we got on
better together | stiied my resent
ment SO that l might see as much OF
you us possible, George. knowing that
was not on good terms with Vnne,
thought that Mrs. Jersey might have
accused he Of the crime. She did try
to get money out Of me-"
80 Bawdsey told me-"
'Bawdsey. Who is he:"
Il forgot you don't know. He is q
detective who has been looking after
the case on behalf Of LORD Derrington.
l learn from the confession of Airs.
Jersey that lie is her husband"
George Rates. remember. She
toid me she married him and went to
America. 1t was after her return from
America that she tried to get money
out Of me. I refused. Not that I did
not realize the danger to which she
could expose me, but 1 knew that If I
once yielded would be in her power.
besldes, l had defense, as she got
the sstiletto from the woman VeIez."
And it was with that same stiIetto
that Mrs. Jersey was killed."
q. by whom!" asked Ireland. "Did
her 9husband'-
No. We do not know who killed
herS Perhaps you may knowT'
Il" Ireland looked genuinely sur.
prised. mo. How should I know2"
Well" said George, rather awk.
wardiy, 1T seems that Bawdsey has
got 1T into his head that you knew
about this confession That YOU were
afraid 1t would be published after her
death and that you went to the house
on that night to get it. He doesn't ex-
acfly accuse you of the murder, but
II don't know what else YOU wouId
call his statements but accusations"
retorted Ireland, with some heat, "but
never was near the house. 1 certain
ly thought that Mrs. Jersey might
leave some such confession, but new
er asked her about It,"
'Then you cannot guess who killed
her?"
mo. was never near the house.
was in bed and asleep. My servants
will tell you so.''
Il need not ask them" said George
quickly. II never thought you were
guilty. and 1 only came to- receive your
assurance 80 that might telr Bawdsey
and prevent him troubling YOU"
III Bawdsey comes here I'll soon
make short work of him." said Ireland
sharply. 81 am not afraid"
"iou need not be. Mrs. Jerseys own
concession cXoncrates YOU"
II don't mind even that. I would
have faced the worst had 1t to be
tu"ed. I never was II coward except IN
2ue thing" He paused and looked tim
LILY at George. Il shrank from telling
yoI how WAS the unhappy cause Of
yo::" fathers DEATH
You were noi the cause, in my opin-
ion. Mrs. Jersey was the cause"
We'll, | thought you would shrink
from me Gid you know ALL"
Il Go know all. and do not shrink
from YOU, replied George. leaning
across the desk to shake Ireland's
hand. ut was pure accident and has
been related by your enemy"
II am so glad the truth is known to
you at last" faltercd the old man,
"and that You see how unconsciousIy I
caused the death. l shall lie down for
ever. But am glad you know. 1 am
glad you are not angered."
I'VE are the best. Of friends, Mr.. Ire
land. You have always been kind to
me. am afraid my visit has been too
much for you"
mo. i am glad you came. 1 am glad
you spoke out. / always intended to
do so, but I feared lest you should
blame me-"
BY this time they were ascending
the stairs. George conducted the old
man to his room and sent for the doc