Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-11


But l was doomed to disappointment. 'NIiss
Grey" Prothero said as his eyes twinkled. ''has
fortune of one hundred and fortysix pounds
Ihs know because am co-trustee with Nicho-
las Dunn. Dunn is also her guardian She is a
young lady for whom I entertain the highest
respect, nineteen years of age and pretty | had
no idea that you were thinking of marrying her.
but 1t is for her to say, and she has told you
1t is impossible that she should marry YOU that
appears to settle it. It is for her and her alone
to say whether she shall marry YOU
lie saw that was agitated and losing my
control and he raised his hand quickly ''For-
give me-" he said soemnly. "I will answer
you. Rersonally--and please remember that
am speaking both as lawyer and as a friend
who has known you all your fe-personally |
see no reason why Miss Grey shosld not become
your wife, supposfng you to love her as a man
should love the woman he is to marry, and sup
posing her, to return that affection. At the same
time l must say this: can appreciate the feel
which might make girl like Miss Grey decline
to link her future with yours I can understand
her motives and sympathize with them 1 can
tell you no more; believe me, Arthur, can tell
you more"
And from that moment to the end of our in
terview he refused to speak another word on
the subject
From the office of Mr.. Protbero wandered
over to get little consolation from nv friend
Legrand. 1 waited for him some time in his IL
orary and for want of something better to do,
picked up pile of papers which proved to be
Legrands collection of celebrated trials.
One was the trial of servant who had poi-
soned her mistress. | was in the middle of the
evidence OF witness who had noticed signs of
depression in the murdered woman for some time
when Legrand came in, but the last few lines /
mad read still stuck in my brain as / greeted
him. The lines read:
Witness could not say what it was which had
first made her imagine that Mrs Skeletons
1nacC ,t.rh1 h
means; she supposed it was because it had
seemed so peculiar to her that the deceased
should be ill. She had been friendly with her
for forty years and had never known her sick
or ailng. Deceased had always been an excep.
tionally vigorous and active woman of strong
constitution, and 1T had been her pallor and ap-
parent disincnation for exercise of any kind
which had first attracted witness's attention"
As held the report before me with trembling
fingers, reading and rereading till the words
burned themselves into my brain, my thoughts
flew back to the events of the past weeks; and,
nameless fear making me turn sick and faint,
flung the paper from me and sprang to my feet
"Joseph! Joseph! for Gods sake help me" I
CRIED cor | shall go mad. They are poisoning
her; they are poisoning her!"
Joseph leaped quickly to my side "Sit down
and let me undo your collar" he said, "or-yes:
that's right, undo it yourself, while get ze win
dow open. Well ave some air. Now you're all
right. Eats better; zat's better. But who's being
poisoned? Oh, see, you're reading one of my
trials"
at is not that, Joseph" said quickly, at.
tempting to myself. "0r rather, it is
that trial and something which it suggested;
something so frightful, terrble-Joseph you
are doctor; l have great faith in your skill and
knowledge. Tell me, for Gods sake, tell me, is
it possible that Miss Grey is being poisoned?"
Miss Grey being poisoned? Miss Grey?" he
said, amazedy. "Why, what in re world should
make you sink zat?
at was those lines that first brought the
thought to my mind" said. Read them
Joseph still staring in amazement took the
naper slowly and read the words pointed out
10 him; gazed at me again, and then reread them
"I don't understand" he said, "what has zs
TO do wiz Miss Grey? She is strong and vigorous,
yes but she is not ill.
Forcing myself to be calm, did my best TO give
him what particulars could OF the change the
mast few weeks have witnessed in Elsie's health
and appearance.
Joseph listened attentively, but when | had
finished he shook his head. Il see nussing in all
1at 10 suggest necessarily anysing so terrible as
zat Miss Grey is being poisoned All ze symp-
toms YOU ave described might come quite natural
ly of themselves" he said
"Of course, you are right Joseph" said quick
w. II will go back at once. | must see Jen-
n;ngs and find out who is attending Miss Grey"
/ was dazed and hardly knew what was doing,
think under the influence Of the terrible idea
which had taken hold of me, and Joseph saw it
and stopped me-
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY