Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-09-21
CHAPTER xxIX.-(Continued.)

my fathers will enables me to do"
''Your fathers win enables you to do
nothing of the sort, and you know it."
She spoke, as though rehearsing a series
Of set speeches, and Sarah watched her
with growing alarm.
"Oh, nonsense!" cries John Rex, in
sheer amazement. II have a lawyers
opinion on it,"
DO you remember what took place
at Hampstead this day nineteen years?'
TAT Hempstead?r said Rex, growing
suddenly pale. 'gThis day nineteen years
aeo3 No! What do you meanP'
Do you not rememberY she contin-
ned, leaning forward eagerly, and
speaking almost iercely. "Do you not
remember the reason why you left the
house where you were born, and which
you wish now to sell to strangers?"
John Rex stood dumfounded, the blood
suffusing his temples He knew that
among the secrets Of the man whose in
heritance he had stolen was one which
he had never gained-and he felt that
this secret was to be revealed to crush
him now.
Sarah, trembling also, but more with
rage than terror, swept toward Lady De
vine. Speak out" she said, IF you
have anything to sayl OF what do you
accuse my husband?"
"Of impostureT' cried Lady Devine,
all her outraged maternity nerving her
70 abash her enemy. This man may
be your husband, but he Is not my son!
You have not stood the test, for you can
not recall the day Of your quarrel and
mine over my cousin, Armigell Esme
Wade, Lord BelIasis."
John Rex gasped for breath; his hand
tugging at his neck-cloth, rent away
the linen that covered his choking throat
The whole horizon Of his past was light
cd up BY a lightning fash which stun
ned him. His brain, already enfeebled
hy excess, was unable to withstand this
last shock He staggered, and, but for
the cabinet against which he leaned
would have fallen. The secret thoughts
Of his heart rose to his lips, and were
uttered unconsciously. Lord BellaEis!
He was my father, and--I killed himW
a dreadful silence fell; and then Lady
Devine. stretching out her hands toward
the self-confessed murderer, with sort
Of frightful respect, said IN a whisper
IN which horror and duplication were
strangely mingled, what did you do
with my SOM Did you kill him also?'
But John Rex, wagging his head from
side to side, like a beast In the sham
blea that has received a mortal stroke
made no reply. Sarah Purfoy, awed as
she was By the dramatic force Of the
situation, nevertheless remembered that
Francis Wade might arrive at any mo-
ment, and saw her last opportunity for
safety. She advanced and touched the
mother on the shoulder.
Your son Is aliver'
"WhereY'
''Wih you promise not to hinder us
leaving this house II I tell your"
Eyes, yes"
"Will you promise to keep the confes-
sion which You have heard secret until
we have left England y
II promise anything. In heavens
name, woman, II you have woman's
heart, speak, Where Is my SOM"
Sarah Purfoy rose over the enemy who
had defeated her, and said, in level, de-
liberate accents. 'grhey call him Rufus
Dawes. He Il a convict at Norfolk ISL
and, transported for life for the murder
which you heard my husband confess to
having committed---Ahw
Lady Devine had tainted.
Sarah few to Rex. "Rouse yourself,
Johni We have not q momentm
John Rex passed his hand over his
forehead YEARLY.
II cannot think / am broken down.
am III. My brain seems dead"
Nervously watching the PROSTATE fig
uro on the floor, she hurried on bonnet.
cloak and veil, and In a twinkling had
him outside the house and into cab.
~You won't give me up?' said Rex.
turning dun eyes upon her.
Give you upl mol But the police
will be after us 80 soon as that woman
can speak, and her brother summon his
lawyer, know what her promise Is
worth. We have got about fifteen
hours"
II can't 50 far, Sarah" said he; az
am aleepy, and stupid"
She repressed the terrible fear that
tugged At her heart, and Btrove to rally
him.
NOV, cit stin and be good, while 70
and get some money for YOU"
She hurried into the bank, and her
name secured her an interview with the
manager at once.
That's a rich woman" said ope ~
the clerks 70 his friend
"A widow, tool Chance for Won.
Tom" returned the other; and, presently.
from ont the sacred presence came an.
other clerk with request for "a draft
on Sydney for three thousand, less pre-
MUM" and bearing a check signed
'Sarah Carr" for two hundred pounda
which he took In notes, and so return,
ed again. From the bank she was tax.
en- to = shipping once.
II want a cabin In the hrst ship for
Sydney, please. When does the Dido
uanf
Tomorrow morning. She Is at Ply
mouth, waiting for the mails. If you 20
down tonight BY the mail train, which
leaves at $3.50, you win be In plenty Of
time, and we win telegraph"
Il win take the cabin"
John Rex was gnawing his nails In
aullen apathy. She displayed the pas
sage ticket. you are saved. BY the
time Mr.. DeEine gets his wits together
ana his sister RECEIVERS her speech, we
shan be past pursuit"
To SydneyF' cried Rex, angrily, look
ING At the warrant. why thereT'
Sarah surveyed him with an express
"| Irf