Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-09-22
CHAPTER xxIx.-(Continued.)

vate. What have you to say"
Il want to tell you that | forbid 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 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. 81 have lawyers
opinion on it."
do you remember what took place
at Hampstead this day nineteen years?"
Eat Hampstead 2" said Rex. growing
suddenly pale. This day nineteen years
ago? Mol What do you mean?'
DO you not remember?' she contin-
ned, leaning forward eagerly, and
speaking almost fercely. ado 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 say! OF what do you
accuse my husband?"
"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 Bellass."
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 flash which stun
ned him. His brain, already enfeebled
ny excess, was unable to withstand this
last shock. He staggered, and, hut 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 Bellasisi
he was my father, and killed him"
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 suppication 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
bof hoc
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 tell you?'
Eyes, yes"
will you promise to keep the confess
sion which you have heard secret until
we have left England? ~
II promise anything. In heavens
name, woman, if you have a woman's
heart, speak, Where is my son?'
Sarah Purfoy rose over the enemy who
had defeated her, and said in level de-
liberate accents, "They call him Rufus
Dawes. He is convict at Norfolk ISL
and, transported for life for the murder
which you heard my husband confess to
having committed"Ahr'
Lady Devine had tainted.
Sarah flew to Rex Rouse yourself.
John! We have not a momentl''
John Rex passed his hand over his
forehead YEARLY
81 cannot think. | am broken down.
l 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 twinkling had
him outside the house and into cab.
"You won't give me up?' said Rex,
turning dull eyes upon her.
"Give you up! MOI But the police
will be after us so soon as that woman
can speak, and her brother summon his
lawyer. I know what her promise is
worth. We have got about fifteen
hours"
II can't go far, Sarah" said he; 81
am sleepy, and stupid"
She repressed the terrible fear that
tugged at her heart, and strove to rally
him.
Now, sit still and be good, while 20
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 one of
the clerks. to his friend.
"A widow, tool Chance for you.
Tom," returned the other; and, presently,
from out the sacred presence came an
other clerk with request for "a draft
on Sydney for three thousand, less pre-