The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-30
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edge, or the blow would be almost as
terrible. And Gerard had not got that
sum; he was congratulating himself
on a stroke of great good fortune, hay
ing realized q profit of one thousand on
a transaction which had extended over
two Years, but that was not enough to
satisfy this a Then, again, the idea
of being mixed up in anything wrong
Went entirely against the conscientious
nature OF Gerrard; ii he bought this
an accomplish of BraXton and OF The
woman herself, assuming that the
harge against her were we'll founded.
Poor Gerard was torn this way and
that, between his desire to help his
chum and his qualms of conscience.
He had been overjoyed on reaching the
hotel at the fact that he would be able
TO tell Sir Allen that he had made
three thousand pounds for him in one
deal. Now he could easily say that
1t was two thousand, and so make up
the missing money, and he would be
willing to give up his own profit in or
der to save his friend who had more
than once risked his own life for Ger
rard. The money difficulty could be
overcome. but conscience
Times up" aid Braxton irritably.
Going to do it7"
AT that momen the door of the smok-
ing room was opened by a boy who
looked in to see if q certain guest was
there. Gerard, looking through he
open door over the boys head, started
as he saw Sir Aliens form pass the
opening. BY his side was a woman
OF thirty. tall and graceful. who turned
her head slightly toward the open door
as she passed. The vision of that face
touched Gerard and he answered
/ IRA Ntnn'G C11acfinr, with ,n 49,. -l,-
mo-"
That settles it," said Braxton de-
cistvely. He has not seen Sir Allen
and his Wife go by the door. .Iu go
and find the happy pair. and it will
also interest Sir Allen to learn that
Lady Royce has a husband sim liv-
Ing"
He was zone With that parting shot.
AS soon as he could collect himself,
Gerard made his way to the room in
dicated as Sir Aliens. He met Brax-
ton in the corridor. They reached the
door almost at the some moment.
II forbid you to go I'M" shouted Ger
rard, forgetting himself.
II shall,," asserted BraXton.
He made as if to rap at the door.
but Gerard interviewed and in an in
slant the two men We're engaged In n.
tussle outside the room door. In the
struggle they fell against the door.
which a few seconds later was cpened
by Sir Allan Royce.
For heavens sake" he cried hoarse-
ly. Fetch a doctor! NV wife is i'll
and fear her heart is weak
He was unmindful of the fact that
the men he addressed were struggling
together; his own trouble absorbed him.
Gerard and Braxton loosed their grasp
on one another n hurriedly followed
SIR Allen through the room into the
| neSf lT1rfn1anf y,1,orl r =, n--.- -
on the floor. with an u%pturned face that
lold Its own story to Gerard.
The doctor was summoned, but he
could simply confirm the opinion all
ready formed by Gerard. Lady Royce
was dead. having succumbed to a heart
seizure.
The grief of the bereaved husband
self on his knees by the side Of the
bed on which they had laid the body
and kissed the cold hand agar and
again.
at is not true! 1t cannot bel" he
moaned. Come back to me-, my dar-
ling! Do not leave me alone, without
the love Of a fellow creature. i cannot
live without % my wife." His voice
shook with sobs and his who'll body
appeared to be racked With pain.
The sight was too much for Gerrard:
he could not endure to behold the grief
CT his only friend. He could do moth
ing to help him. so he withdrew and
left Sir Allen alone IN his sorrow.
In the hall downstairs he encountered
BraXton. 1t was almost with an air
of triumph that he spoke to the black
mailer.
"Braxton. o are a Zig scoundrel,
and 1T refreshes me to tell you so! But
you have missed your anna this time!"
How is that?' sneered Braxton,
1.-The woman iS dead % vo,, oor do
nothing. and you must find another VIC
tim for the exercise of your wits,"
cried Gerard.
Come in here" said Braxton QUIET
ly. leading the way into q small waiting
room, which was empty. Now, what
does it matter If the woman Is deado
The information is true, so it remains
good all the time. If the facts become
known 1T will be a terrible scandal.
very nearly as bad-aye. perhaps even
worse-for Royce. Remember him as
we saw him just now. Don't you think
he would pay two thousand pounds
Willingly in order hat the truth should
not be made known?''
You brute!' cried Gerard, amazed
at the callous villainy OF the man.
Come, hard words Won't mend mat
tiers. I want two thousand pounds and
for that l will hand over to you. or
anyone else, the proofs I have here and
Will undertake to say nothing more
about the previous history of Lady
Royce" He watched Gerrard's face
and could divine what was going on In
his mind. We'll. Is 1t a bargain? Will
you complete this transaction on your
own account. for the sake of your
friend?'
Yes, TIL do it," said Gerard. after
a pause. Come with me and 1 will
arrange IT."
They left the hotel for Gerrard's lods-
ings. He had resolved to sacrifice his
money and his sense OF truth in order
to save his friend. The revelation Of
the facts would crush Royce; the blow
was hard enough for him to bear as it
was, but to learn all the truth would
probably kill him. The transaction was
completed: Gerard handed over the
one thousand belonging to himself, and
one thousand of the money he held for
Sir Allen. and he received the proofs,
which he at once destroyed.