The Washington herald., 1906-11-27

fore now. Bernard Gore kill that old
tyrant-T'
Hush, He is dead"
And so we are to speak well OF him, %
snapped Miss Berengaria "Oh, we'll
she rubbed her nose-''we'H tell lies
about him. like The majority of tomb
stones do of those who lie below; but I
tell you, foolish girl that you are. Ber-
nard did not kin the old man, nor did
he kin himself"
But the paper says
Il don't care what the paper says"
said Miss Bereugaria, resoIuteIy. NO. in
deed I am "a better judge OF character
than any paper That poor boy was vilely
treated by that-there, there, / won say
word against Sir Simon. He's dead,
and we must be lenient. But Bernard
Gore is innocent Before ! read l tell you
that
I hope it may be So" cried Alice,
clasping her hands
1T is So" said the other, sharply and
I'm a truly feminine way. "All I know is
that sloppy Jane ad0red him. and she's
not the dog 10 adore any one who would
shed blood"
Alice could not but see that this reason
ing was not based on facts. But. all the
same, ridiculous though It was, she de-
rived a certain comfort from it. Miss
Berengaria, who had been thus optimistic
to quiet the poor girl, nodded. when
Alice took a seat in the opposite chair
more composed, and addressed herself TO
mastering the facts Of the case. Alice,
with clasped hands. stared al the old lady
as she read silently but with frequent
raising Of her eyebrows and sometimes a
sniff. The paper stated that Sir Simon
and MS grandson. Bernard were enemies,
that the young man, having been hang
ing round the house for a fortnight
COuTting the housemaid, had secured an
interview with the elder when Miss
Randolph was at the theateT. He had
evidently uuarreled with Sir Simon. and
having chIoroformed him, had quietly
strangled him with his own handkerchief,
after which he left the house. Then fol-
lowed an account Of the pursuit and fail
IRE TO capture Gore. He escaped the
officers by plunging into the river" said
the journal Next morning his khaki
coat and hat were found on the opposite
bank. so doubtless he got rid Of them
when attempting to swim. But what
with the cold and the fog, undoubtedly
he must have succumbed to the force Of
the current" Finally the paper stated
that an Inquest would he held within two
days on the dead body. At the con-
clusion Of this somewhat bald article,
Miss BerengaTia gave a short laugh and
threw down the paper. Il don't believe
a word Of it." she said, folding her arms,
'and I'm going up to London
What for aunt?'
TO see into the matter myself l be-
lieve that Beryl creature is responsible
for the whole thing"
But see" said Alice, picking up the
paper. "he was at the theater with Lucy
and a Mrs. Weber"
7 don't care. Failing Bernard, Julius
comes in for the money
He comes in for II even without that"
said Alice, bitterly Don't you remem-
Der that Sir Simon disinherited Bernard
because he would not give me up? I i'm
plored Bernard. for his own sake, to break
out engagement, but he refused. He gave
up all for me, and now he is dead-dea-
dead Oh" sobbed Alice, how unhappy
I aml7
How foolish you are" said Miss Beren-
garia, her eyes hard and bright. do you
think a man who could act toward you
in so noble q way would commit cow
ardly murder, and then shirk the conse-
quences2 Not at all. I'm ashamed Of
you. 1 once loved" said the old lady.
rising and marching energetically about
the room, "and my lover was a fool and
a villain. Bernard is neither He is a fine
fellow, God bless him and bring him
safely out Of this trouble! He shall have
my help-yes, my best help" added Miss
Berengarla, nOdding.
But he Is dead"
He is not dead. you weak-minded, silly
hysterical girl. That sort of man has as
many lives as a cat He's alive, to vindi-
cate his reputation and to bring home the
crime to the real assassin"
But who can that be?' asked Alice
comforted by this assurance.
L don't know" said Miss Berengaria.
taking a seat at the table. Come and
pour out my coffee, and eat"
Alice dragged herself to the table and
took up the silver pot. Il can't eat" she
said family.
Yes, you can; and, what's more, you're
going TO. No nonsense with me. miss
You and 1 have a hard task before us"
What is that2"
Miss Berengaria laid down her knife
and fork, with which she was about 70
carve a piece of bacon. We'll, I am as
tonished," she said, glaring In nv
young days a girl In love would have been
ashamed to make such a speech. Why.