Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-09-07
CHAPTER XXIX.-(Continued.) J

y L want TO tell you In1t lOrDlQ you
to carry out the plan you have for break
Ing up Sir Richards property"
FORBID me?" cried Rex, much re-
iieved. "Why, l only want to do what
my fathers will enables me to do"
your fathers will enables you to do
nothing of the sort, and you know i"
She spoke, as though rehearsing a series
of set speeches, and Sarah watched her
with growing alarm.
"Oh, nonsensel" cries John Rex, in
sheer amazement. 81 have lawyers
opinion on it."
"Do you remember what took place
at Hampstead this day nineteen years"
"At Hempstead?" said Rex, growing
suddenly pale. This day nineteen years
ago? No! What do you mean?"
do you not rememberT she contin-
ued, 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 strangersT
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 say. OF what do you
accuse my husbands"
"Of imposturer cried Lady Devine,
all her outraged maternity nerving her
to 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 Bellasis."
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
ed up by lightning fash which stun
ned him. His brain, already enfeebled
by 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 Bellasis.
He was my father, and-I killed him.
A dreadful silence fell; and then Lady
Devine, stretching out her hands toward
the self-confessed murderer, with sort
of frightful respect said in whisper,
In which horror and supplication were
strangely mingled, "What did you do
with my son? Did you kill him also?'
But John Rex, wagging his head from
side to side, like a beast in the sham
o1 ctrn nlya
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 alive"
"Where?"
"Will you promise not to hinder us
leaving this house if l tell you"
Eyes, yes"
"Will you promise to keep the confes
sion which you have heard secret unit
we have left EnglandT
II promise anything. In heavens
name, woman, if you shave a woman'i
heart, speak! Where is my son?'
Sarah Purfoy rose over the enemy wht
had defeated her, and said, in level, de
liberate accents, They call him Ruff:
Dawes. He is a convict at Norfolk Isl
and, transported for life for the murde
which you heard my husband confess t
having mmitted-Ah.'
Lady Devine had tainted.
Sarah flew to Rex. Rouse yourself
John! We have not moment"
John Rex passed his hand over hi
forehead wearily.
81 cannot think. l am broken down
am i'll. My brain seems dead"
Nervously watching the PROSTATE fig
ure on the floor, she hurried on bonnet
cloak and veil, and in a twinkling ha
him outside the house and into cab.
"You won't give me up?' said Rex
turning dull eyes upon her.
"Give you up No! But the polio
will be after us so soon as that woma
can speak, and her brother summon hi
lawyer. 1 know what her promise
worth We have got about fftee
hours"
"I can't 60 far, Sarah," said he;
am sleepy, and stupid"
She repressed the terrible fear ths
tugged at ner heart, ana sIroNe W ran
him.
"Now, sit still and be good, while G
and get some money for you"
She hurried into the bank, and HI
name secured her an interview with tt
manager at once.
"Thats a rich woman" said one
the clerks to his friend.
"a widow, too! Chance for 20
Tom," returned the other; and, present.
from out the sacred presence came a
other clerk with request for "a dra
on Sydney for three thousand, less pr
mium," and bearing check sign,
'Sarah Carr" for two hundred pound
which he "took" in notes, and 80 retur
ed again. From the bank she was ia
en- to a shipping office.
IT want a cabin in the first ship I
Svdnav nlaasa When does the DIT