The Washington times., 1906-10-21
CHAPTER XXIII-lCOntinuedA

say that he knew Mrs. Hunter. and
then deny il? And il he knew about
his past when he said he knew her.
did he not know IL as well afterwardl ?
can not be blinded 10 these matters
by a statement of things merely mys-
terious and strange. I must have
MY friend" said Madame le Claire.
all these things will be explained
trust me The person tapping at the
outer door is Judge Blodgett with Mr..
Am with your future husband
Things will occur which YOU should
know. and which can not take place
If they know you are here II viii be
most honorable for you TO stay. Re-
main here and note we'll what hap
pens, and you will get much light on
your troubles, and on his-of some Of
which you do not yet know. which
do not understand. but which viii be
cleared uU. You will say nothing. but
watch and listen"
Before Miss Waldron could protest.
the other woman was gone. Florian
and Judge Blodgett were brought into
the middle room. and seated with their
faces from the porJiere. behind which
Elizabeth waited, wondering what she.
should do. feeling that she had the
right 20 know, and obedient 10 the
mesmerists command. Mr.. Amidon
in medias res, too full OF grim de-
termination for any circumlocution.
Madame le Claire, said he, re
Gently. as l sat at supper. l was noti-
ned that this Miss Scarlett has begun
suit against me for breach Of prom
Use"
Yes" said Madame le Claire. II
have heard OF it. II IS most unjust"
Elizabeth. astounded at Amidon's
statement. heard her new friends
reply as some far-on note of succor in
doubtful and deadly battle She sat
close. now, and listened.
Ever since 1 came 10 myself" went
on Amidon, and through your Won
derful power found out about this life
OF mine here in Bellevale. the name OF
Miss Scarlett has come up from time
TO time as connected with 1t. I have
always shrunk from having you ind
out just what our-relations-have
been. and the whole thing has been
dark. 10 me-dark and forbidding.
What wrong this man Brassfield-
may have done her. I cannot know
without your aid. I must know this.
now. II she has been wronged. lle
shall have reparation. as fun as I can
give"
What do you mean" said Madame
le Claire-and Elizabeth held her
breath-"by full reparation?"
First let US know the wrong! II
that exists. the reparation Will be for
Miss Scarlet and her advisers TO
name"
but they may name the keeping OF
the promise they say you have made"'
'I have thought that all over"
But your engagement to
THE lady you are about to men
ton" said Amidon. "mus have ceased
10 care much for me. after what I am
told took place the other night: and
when she learns OF this other disgrace
as she must before she sees me again
-if she ever does--it will be all over
for 'ever-eScept the wrong 10 her-for
which reparation can never be made.
l.
'Oh. it is too dreadful" cried Mad
anne le Claire. And for that worst
thinE-the other night only am to
blantl I put into YOU the character
In which YOU have become weak and
drawn aside by suggestions not nat
ural 10 your own character Can you
ever forgive me2"
Il have never thought OF blaming
youi" ne rr1tested ''You2 Why. no
one ever had so good a friend; all the
chance 1 have had TO win happiness
here, YOU save me. I have lost that
by misfortune. Now help me 10 make
things as near right as 7 can. Put me
back into the world OF Brassheld. and
let me know the worst that I-ne-has
done"
COON cen" said the voice OF the
professor in the corridor. Coon eenl
Clara ISIS not here now; den she must
be soneveres. Pc bleaced 10 sit vile
l look. ANYHOW, she viii soon return.
ACh. Herr Cox. We missed you Greatly
at our supper-eatiags OF rea sons and
sdreams OF souls, Ach: Here iss our
friendt re chutche. ant Herr Amidon
-Brassfield. I meant"
Madame le Claire appeared in the
archway.
''Ah. Miss Scarlet" said she. you
are early. May I ask you TO return,
in"
NO" II was the voice Of Miss
Scarlett which replied. No. I'm not
going, And If Gene Brassheld is in
there, Billy Cox mas something TO say
10 him. Here, AIR. AlvoTd, you come
In, too he's out there hunting for
Gene. Rilly. do your duty nowT'
Pardon me. said Mr.. Cox, advanc-
ing into the next room, followed by
Miss Scarlet Pardon me. Judge
Blodgett / have few words for you
and your client. Miss Scarlett has
made me agree 70 apologize 10 Mr..
Brassficld about that summons. and
II Gene Brassneld thinks l owe him
any apology for putting IL on him a
little before his out-of-town friends,
I'll make IL. But here are the facts,
and he knows il: for four years he's
been raWhiding me al every chance
with his practical jokes. He had me
arrested and detained for a whole day
on fake telegrams at Wilkesbarre,
only last fall; and lust before that he
got everybody at the Springs thinking
1 was Tascott. and induced a rural
constable 10 take me into custody
Why AlvoTd here in his worst estate
hasn't been as bad as he's been II
he's lost any opportunity l don't re-
member il. and. Of course. I've got
back once in a while, and may be
about even. But everything has been
good-natured and bTotherly. as ought
20 be between members OF the gang
And. OF course. when the cannon
crackers bauan 90