Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-04-14
Continued.

CUSTODY. mOTuaunJ royce, charge
you with stealing and destroying the
will of the Earl of Arrowhead" and he
strobe to the bell.
Mordaunt Royce shrugged his
shoulders
"Yon will find it difficult to prove.
my lord" he said, quitely. Il admit
nothing, not even the existence of the
will! Who has seen it? Who Knows
anything of it? You will find your
charge difficult to substantiate. You
talk of punishment; in furnishing me
you will subject this lady"-waving
his hand towards Joan-''to a scandal
which will live as long as she lives.
AS for me"-he shrugged his shoulders
but | doubt whether she win care
TO appear ia a crowded court and give
her evidence against the man she was
about to honor with her hand"
Berthe stood undecided inwardly
raging at the sinister cunning which
met him at every point.
You scoundre!" he could only ex-
claim.
Mordaunt Royce smiled.
lord" he said What do you intend
to do? viii you give me in custody on
this charge? think not"
Hes clever! He's clever is Roget"
croaked old Craddock, who was cover
ing in corner of the room. forgotten
by all, but watching the scene with
ghoul-like interest
10 nIn he Nv.
Craddock?" echoed Miss Mazurka
quietly, without removing her eyes
from Royces face.
Joan glided forward and laid her
hand tremblingly on Bertie's arm.
Let him go. for my sake" she muir.
INJURED. "Ah let him 60"
BERTHE bit his lip and led her back
again.
For your sake, then" he said
gently. Then he turned to Mordaunt
Royce. "The lady you so cruelty
wronged pleads for you" he said
but for her you should meet the fate
you so richly deserve. You may GO
Mordaunt Royce. If you value a sound
skin and whole bones keep out of my
sight the rest of your life. Col"
Mordaunt Royce sneered.
Threats, idle threats" he said.
scol nfully. IL fear your physical vic.
lence as little as do your legal acu-
men Lord Dewsbury"
Then he got his hat and walked to-
wards the door, but there he paused
and turned upon them, his glance fall.
ing on Miss Mazurka with a sardonic
twinkle.
Miss Mazurka." he said, honestly
| cannot congratulate you. In the
theatrical order of things virtue, as
represented by you. should be triumph.
ant, and vice, as represented by me.
should be discounted. But alas! In
real life the order is too often revers-
ed. | fear that 1t Is you who are dis
comfited. You were too eager to
obtain reputation for cleverness.
Miss Mazurka Amateur detectives
seldom succeed. II you had placed
the matter in the hands of one OF the
gentlemen in Scotland Yard, instead
of undertaking the role yourself, you
might have saved your friends fort
une AS II is the role was too diff
cult for you. Miss Trevelyan may be
Joan Ormsby, Lord Arrowfleld's grand
daughter, but the will which would
have placed her in possession of the
estate-where is it? You have lost 1t,
Miss Mazurka, and fear that the
savings of all your life will not com
pensate Miss Ormsby for the loss of
two millions" and he pointed with n
smile to the ashes in the CRATE
He's clever! He's clever. is Royce!
taught hint" croaked Craddock.
with fearful admiration. He's done
you all now! Oh. clever, clever!"
Mordaunt Royce laughed harshly,
then he bowed
Lord Dewsbury. good evening! If
you are inclined for little ecarte to-
night, you will find me at the club.
Miss Mazurka, wish you good even.
Ing, Keep to burlesQue; melodrama is
beyond you, believe me, Miss Emily, |
am sorry that your pretty bridesmaids
dress should be wasted, Don't think
too unkindly of me, We were very
good friends. were We not?"
Then his eyes turned on JOAN and
he opened his lips as if about to adj.
dress some taunt to her. but his voice
faltered, and he said only the word:
'Good-by,"
Joan met his gaze steadily. sadly:
then she turned her face away and
covered her eyes with her hand.
Raised from the gutter,' muttered
old Craddock, raising his hands in
admiration.
Yes, from the gutter!" said Nor.
daunt Royce. THE lad that sold
matches and trod the London pave
ment with bare feet has proved too
much, even in his ruin, for all of you"
and he laid his hand upon the door.
AS he did so Miss Mazurka said,
softly and amiably:
"One moment before you go. Mr..
Royce, pleased"