Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-13


What delightful speech for lady" said
Beryl' "Connston is scamp. ! heard he en-
listed in the Lancers."
TT shows how brave he is. Every man worth
calling man should go to The front"
Perhaps you would like me TO CO." sneered
Julius.
You would never have the pluck" said Lucy
quickly. "All your ends in life are gained by
cunning, not by bravery"
Lucy, If you talk to me like that" began
Beryl, and then restrained himself with an ef
tort. 1T is no use our quarreling Let me show
you that am not so careless of others or so
hard hearted as I seem to be- Miss Plantagenet
wants page. I found this lad in London sell.
ing matches. He messenger boy at to-
bacconist called Taberley, and Lord Commission
got him turned out of the situation"
"I don't believe that"
at is true. The boy told me himself He
will tell you if you like to see him"
"I don't want to see him. Lord Commission is
too kind man to behave in that way. He was
fond Of Bernard"
"And that makes him perfect in your eyes"
said Beryl, looking savage See here, Lucy,
Commission has left the army-so you see he is
not SO brave you think"
"He left so as to seek after Bernard" said
Lucy, quickly. "Mr. Durham told me So"
"To seek after Bernard" said Julius, slowly,
"and believe Bernard may be alive after all.
"In which you would give him up to the
police"
mo" said julius with an emotion which did
him credit. II should never betray him. Lucy,
if you can find out from Lord Conniston or Dur
ham that Bernard is alive, let me know and I'll
see what can do to help him"
"How can you help him when you believe him
guilty."
"I might help him to escape / don't want to
see him hanged"
"He won't be hanged If Lord Commission and
Mr.. Durham him."
"Ah!" julius started to his feet. 'Then he
is alive"
IT can't say have no reason to think he is
But am hoping against hope" said Lucy, rising
"I merely state what was said. Mr.. Durham
and Lord Commission both told Alice that Ber-
nard was innocent"
''They will find it difficult to prove that
sneered Beryl, with white face. 81 believe the
fellow is alive after ALL If he is I'll make it
my business to find out where he IS"
"And them" asked Lucy, starting up and
facing Beryl.
'"Then it depends upon Bernard himself"
"Ah! You would make him pay money to
save himself"
"I have right to portion of the estate
"You have not" said Miss Randolph, clench-
ing her fists and all her languor gone. Der
nard is the owner of Gore Hall and of all the
property and of the title also, If he is alive
as / sincerely hope, his name will be cleared"
"And then you, will throw me over and try
to become Lady Gore"
81 throw you over now," said Lucy, losing
her temper and coloring hotly. "How dare you
speak to me like this, Julius 1 will no longer
be bound to you. l never loved you, but have
always tried to see the best side of you But
you have no good side. You are mean, cow
ardly serpent, and if Bernard is alive shall do
my best to defend him from your snares."
"But Lucy"
Don't speak to me- and don't dare to call me
again by that name. i give you back your ring
here it isl" She wrenched it from her finger
"Now leave the house, Mr.. Beryl. l am mis-
tress here"
Julius picked up the ring and slipped it into
his wuistcoat pocket calmly. 1--WE don't know
that Bernard is alive. But the fact OF Connis
ton leaving the army, and from Durham's atti-
tude shrewdly suspect he is, and in hiding.
shall find out where he is, then it depends upon
him whether he is hanged or prefers TO live
abroad on a portion of his moaey"
"1e is innocent"
julius shrugged his shoulders and walked to
the door There he paused to utter a final in
sulting speech 'T don't know whether you in
tend to marry Bernard or Lord Commission" he
said. 'but wish. which ever it is, joy of spit
| fire."
"And an honest woman" said Miss Randolph
wrathfuly, for the reference to Commission touch
vet prove that Bernard lives"
| 81 20 to do so, sneered Julius, and bowed him
self ironically out of the room, leaving Lucy flu
rous both with him and with herself.
Julius walking towards the Bower, was angry
with himself. AS Lucy thought, he had shown
his hand too clearly 1T would have been bet
ter" he considered, "to have held my tongue
should have done so had she not goaded me into
speech She will tell Durham and that interfer
ing Conniston and put them ON their guard.
Well"-he laughed and looked at the small boy
trotting beside him"I am equal to both"
! The boy was handsome, innocentlooking lit
tie fellow, rather understood. No one would
have suspected that such childish creature was
born criminal. But his mind had not yet had
time to work on his face, and the mask of his
chdhood--for he was only thirteen-conceaed
his evil nature successfully.
Jerry" said Beryl, looking down, mind you
are nice to the old lady"
Jerry tossed his fair curs and looked roguish,
"Oh, that's all right, Mr. Beryl. All old ladies'
take to me- They think I'm kind of Holy Bill,
and let them think SO. It pays"
Jerry you are young scamp of the worst"
The boy chuckled as though he had received a
compliment ~ like doing things" he explained
frankly; cts fun. When / was with old grand
mother at the castle I hated doing nothing. If
It hadn't been for Victoria-the girl told you
about--I should have left long before. I'm going
to marry her..
"You know nothing about such things" cor
reeted the respectable Mr. Beryl, severely.
~ know a jolly sight more than you think, .
said the urchin under his breath and producing a
Julius took it from him. ''Nfiss Plantagenet
must not think you smoke, Jerry. She is most
respectable"
dAnd dull" said Jerry, putting his hands in
his pockets Lord! what bore stopping with
! L he Can m nd