Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-20
Copyright by GMDhltn9ham Co.

hand, ''1 have hungercd for this moment. Alice,
You are more beautiful than ever"
Darling! But Bernard, have confession
70 make really thought for a moment that
you were guilty 4"
Alice how could you?"
Tier eyes filed with tears. "a was mad to
doubt you, dearest but I did | thought you
Hiight nave lost your temper with
Ali" groaned Gore. "my terrible temper.
AliceY'
Almost immediately. Ny aunt laughed at the
idea that you had killed Sir Simon. She always
STOOD up for YOU, and scolded me-"
think you deserved IT," said Gore, playful
". However. I forgive YOU The evidence
against me is so strong that don't wonder you
believed | was---"
No, Bernard, no. You loved me, and in the
face OF everything I should never have credited
you with the commission Of this crime But you
forgive me, don't you, dear?" she added, nesting
to his heart
"of course do replied Gore, and scaled his
forgiveness with kiss. $50 long as you believe
me to be innocent now"
u dol do. l wonder that could have
doubted you. Lord Commission never doubted
you, nor did Mr.. Durham nor my aunt. 1t was
only | who-oh dear me! how wicked of me-"
"AliceD-he kissed away her tears-"say no
more. The circumstances were enough to shake
your faith in me. especially when you knew
had such bad temper And | have IL still. ="
sighed Gore, sadly; "even now in spite of all
my trouble am impatient"
wait wait! All will be we'll"
Il can't see how / am to win free of the trou-
BILE, Alice dear"
None of us see, Bernard. But we are in
Gods hands. He will help us. See, He has
given you refuge here till your innocence is
proved"
"And how long will keep this REFUGEE" said
Gore gloomily. eff that young imp Judas learns
from Victoria that I here"
"Then you can escape to another place. But
Bernard, l have something to tell you" Alice
locked round and took letter out of her pocket
cautiously. "Ths is from julius. He says that
he saw you in London
"Ah!'' Bernard read the letter hurriedly. 'cMy
doube-my half-brother Michael"
'Your half-brother l never knew you had
one"
"Nor did I, till Durham found it out from
Mrs Giroy'
The next ten minutes was taken up by Ber.
nard in explaining what the lawyer had learned
from Mrs. Gilroy. Alice was extremely aston.
ished and interested, and quite agreed that it
was possible the half fbrother might be the guilty
person. "And it explains Mrs. Gilroy's accusa-
ton of you," said Alice, thoughtfully
without doubt. Mrs. Groy never liked me-
But do you believe Michael is the real her?'
mo" said Alice, firmly. Mrs Gilroy would
have claimed the money and the title for her
son had there been true marriage There is
something wrong, Bernard. I don't know what
it is, but feel sure that Mrs. Gilroy is not so
secure about her position she pretends to be-
''Well," said Bernard. putting the letter into
his pocket, Durham will tell us what she says"
Then occurred one of those condolences which
occur in real life quite as often as they do in
novels. Durham suddenly entered the room,
looking disturbed. He saluted Alice, then turn
ed to his cent-"Mrs. Gilroy!' he exclaimed
''What of her?" asked Gore. "Has she con.
fessed?'
"She has left the Hall, and no one knows
where she isl"