The Washington herald., 1906-12-10

themselves. and for the moment, IN spite
Of the depressing surrounding circum-
stances, they were absolutely happy
Dearest" said Bernard taking the
girls hand, Il have hungered for this
moment Alice, you are more beautiful
than ever"
Darling! But. Bernard, have a con-
fession TO make. l really thought for
moment that you were guilty"
Alice. how could you?"
Her eyes filed with tears. Il was mad
to doubt you. dearest, but 1 did. L
thought you might have lost your tenn
per with
''Ahr groaned Gore. my terrible tenn
per. But when did you come to think
me innocent, Alice2'
Almost Immediately. Ny aunt laughed
at the idea that you had killed Sir Sim
on. She always stood up for you, and
scolded me-"
Il think you deserved it, said Gore.
playfully. However, 1 forgive you. The
evidence against me IS so strong that 1
don't wonder you believed 1 Was"
No. Bernard, no. You loved me, and
in the face OF everything I should never
have credited you with the commission
Of this crime. But YOU forgive me. don't
you, dear?" she added. nesting to his
heart
'Of course, 7 do" replied Gore, and
sealed his forgiveness with a kiss. so
long as you believe me to be innocent
now"
i dol do. I wonder that I could
have doubted you. Lord Commission new
er doubted you, nor did Mr. Durham, nor
my aunt. 1t was only / who-oh. dear
me! how wicked of me-"
'Alice'-ne kissed away her tears-"say
no more. The circumstances were enough
to shake your faith in me. especially
when you know ] had such a bad tenn
per. And 1 nave 1t still. sighed Gore,
sadly; even now, in spite Of all my
trouble 7 am impatient"
wait, waitl All will be we'll"
Il can't see how I am to win free Of
the trouble. Alice. dear"
None Of us can see, Bernard But
We are in Gods hands He will help
us. See. he has given you a refuge
here till your innocence is proved"
And how long viii / keep this refugee"
said Gore, glO0mily. If that young imp
Judas learns from Victoria that l am
here
Then you can escape to another place
But, Bernard, L have something TO tell
you" Alice looked round and took a let
ter out Of her pocket cautiously. This
Is from Julius lie says that he saw
you in London"
All" Bernard read the letter hurried
ly. Ny doubIe-my half-brother. Mi
chael"
Your half-brother! I never knew you
had one"
Nor did I. till Durham found it out
from Mrs. Gilroy.'
The next ten minutes were taken I'd by
Bernard in explaining what the lawyer
had learned from Mrs Ciroy. Alice was
extremely astonished and interested and
quite agreed that il was possible the half
brother might be the guilty person. And
it explains Mrs. Gilroy's accusation Of
you,' said Alice, thoughtfulIy
Without doubt. Mrs Gnroy never
liked me. But do you believe Michael is
the real heir2"
No. said Alice. firmly Mrs. Gilroy
would have claimed the money and the
tide for her son had there been q true
marriage There is something wrong
Bernard I don't know what il is, but 1
feel sure that Mrs Gilroy is not so
secure about her position as she pretends
to be-
Well" said Bernard. putting the let
ter into his pocket Durham Will tell US
what she says"
Then occurred one Of those condolences
which occur in real life quite as often as
they do in novels. Durham suddenly en-
tered the room, looking disturbed He
saluted Alice. then turned 20 his client
Mrs Gilr0y," he exclaimed.
What OF herr" asked Gore. Has she
Confessed2'-
she has left the Hall, and no one
knows where she is
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