The Washington herald., 1906-12-05

How are you sure, my dear Lucy?"
asked third voice. and she looked up
TO see julius standing in the doorway
He came forward. Forgive me If 1 heard
a few words Of your conversation. But
I have just come IN. DR.. Payne, I hope
l see YOU weli?'
Quite well" said the doctor. who did
not like BeTyl, thinking him, in school
boy phrase. "a sneak" L am just going
Mr. Beryl."
Are you i'll. Lucy?' asked Beryl, with
affection.
4 have an attack Of nerves" she re-
piled, pettishly Poor Bernard's death
has shaken me.
1T is just as well he did die. though"
= have been saying that, said Payne;
but 1 must take my leave. ] viii come
and see YOU again. Miss Randolph. and
remember what told you. Rest and
cheerful company-Miss Malleson's for
choice"
He departed smiling. and they heard
him gallop off. When the sound Of the
horses hOofs died away, julius. who was
looking out of the window. turned alb
ruptIy 10 Lucy. why do you think
Bernard is innOcent2" he asked
Because, If he is guilty. his action
she replied raising herself on her elbow
I can't believe he killed my uncle"
"Sir Simon is not your uncle" said
BeTyl. jealousy. You are only a distant
relative
Perhaps my marriage with you may
make me a nearer one"
IF we ever do marry" said Julius,
gloomily.
80 far as 1 am concerned. / should
ike to break the engagement. Julius. We
were never suited TO one another"
Beryl's vanity was hurt. Why did you
accept me, them"
What else could 1 do? It was Sir
Sim0n's wish that we should marry. and.
owing 10 my circumstances. ] had no
choice in the matter. During his life 1
was merely a puppets But YOU do not
care for me-"
4 do. / swear I do"
Although you swore for an hour,
should never believe you. There is only
one thing in this world you love, Julius,
and that S money. You told Sir Simon
about Bernard being in love with Alice,
that the poor boy might be disinherited." "
BeryI did not deny the charge. Il be
| iieve you are in love with Bernard your
SELF" ne said.
NO Bernard and I are like brother
and sister. But he is dead, 50 you need
not cast stones at his memory.
Are you sure he is dead?" asked Beryl.
warming his hands.
Lucy sat NJ on the sofa and pushed the
loose hair back from her forehead. why
do you say that?" she asked sharply.
Julius stared at the fire. I can't Un-
derstand Durham's attitude he said,
evasively. He must know that Bernard
IS dead, seeing that the coat and hat
were found on the banks Of the river. No
man could have lived in the cold and the
fog. Yet if Durham was sure he would
not hold the estate against Bernard s
coming"
Mr. Durham requires proof of the
death. TejOined Lucy. sharply; "and
until then he is bound to administer the
estate according to the will. As Bernard's 8
body has not been found. there is always
a chance that he may have escaped
L sincerely trust not"
"Ah. You always hated Bernard
"On the contrary, I speak for his good.
/ What's the use Of his coming TO life when
he must suffer for his Crime?"
I don't believe he committed it." said
Lucy, doggedly.
You have no grounds for saying that" A."
said julius, pale with rage.
I don't need grounds" retorted the
genuine woman Bernard always was
as kind-hearted as you were. and are. the
reverse"
Il am not hard-heaTted, snapped
Beryl. 4 always do good
When it IS to your own benefit"
Not always. For instance, 1 am down
here TO get a small boy a post with Miss
Plantagenet as a page"
That is very good of you" said Lucy,
! scornfully.
"Ah. you see I can do a kind action.
This boy is a grandson of Lord Connis-
tons housekeeper. Mrs Moon.
AT Cove Castle said Lucy, with some
color in her face II know"
DO you know Lord Conniston?" asked
julius suspiciously
I have met him once. He seems to be
most delightful fellow"
What delightful speech for a ladv. :"
said Beryl. "Conniston is a scamp. I
heard he enlisted in the Lancers."
1T shows how brave he is. Every man
worth calling a man should go to the
front"
TO BE CONTINUED TO-MORROvV