Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-02-14

AANS' We Will we ii 10 any lhln5
you ask us, my lord" shouted the
same man, and the crowd began slowly
and reluctantly to melt away
Colonel Summerford sprang up the
steps and held out his hand.
Thank God, thank God, my lord 7"
he said, and his strong voice trem.
bled. Il can never be too grateful
that | believed in you all through"
And |, said Mr.. McAndrew, quiet
ly. I'm afraid your lordship thinks /
was rough on you in letting the case
go so far. But what was | to dor"
You did your duty am sure"
said Lord Clydesfold, holding out his
hand
Mr.. McAndrew took it respect
fully.
"You see, my lord, | had my doubts
from the first The very first time |
saw Bradstone "A the squires library
felt--well, We detectives have IT
presentiments like other people. But
what could | do! knew you would
stand firm and bear the brunt to the
last, and | could only wait and hunt
up evidence and 1t was difficult work
1t was all so strong against you; and
Bradstone was clever and cunning. If
it hadn't been for the gypsy Seth track
ing him down and getting the check |
should have been hard driven. II 1t
hadn't been for the confession indeed
| wouldn't have answered for the case
even now!"
''And he is dead?" said Lord Clydes-
fold in a low voice.
Mr.. McAndrew nodded gravely.
Yes; they found him as the consta-
BILE said, He must have fallen across
the table almost the moment Seth left
the room with the check Heart-dis-
ease The strain TINT man must have
ndured-without food, and drinking
continually-must have been a perfect
hell And to think that he committed
the murder without any real reason.
ALI, she was a wonderful woman, and
deceived you both, If Bradstone can
know what is going on, and is con.
sciOus that she was not his wife after
all, aud that he might have been liv-
ing still" He stopped and shrugge
his shoulders. well | could almost
pity him Not that he deserves It. my
lord, Tor he was a bad lot He fairly
trapped that poor young lady; got his
net round her father, unbeknown to
him, and fairly drove her to marry
him. When | tell you all we've dis
covered you'll be surprised, my lord
He is dead now" said Lord Clydls-
fold, solemnly
Mr.. McAndrew nodded
I've message from Lord Garfield, }"
said Colonel Summerford. He wishes
me to tell you that Lord BERTHE has
gone home with the squire-poor tel
low! and that he--Lord Carned-
doesn't wish To intrude upon you; but
that he will feel honored-I repeat
his words, Lord Clydesfold-if you viii
go straight to HIM and stay with him"
Lord Clydesfold inclined his head,
deeply moved
Thank him for me, Summerford,'
he said; but | will go to my own
place. II must have time to think
BERTHE has gone with the squirrel" and
he breathed a sigh of satisfaction
THAT is like his thoughtfulness!"
Yes; he said he knew you would
rather he went and took care Of him
and Miss yanley than come to you.
And now If there is anything I can do,
my lord, shall be only too happy"
Lord Clydcsfold thought for a mo
mcnt or two.
This unhappy man who lies dead,
he said; Eve must not forget that she
bore his name, though for only a few
days, Summerford"
understand, my lord" said the colo
mel gravely Everything shan BE-
done as quietly as possible. Leave it
all to me and McAndrew here, who
feels that he owes you something for
his part unwilling one as it was-in
the terrible trial YOU have So nobly
borne. And now, will you have my
carriage"
But Lord Clydesfold shook his head
II think | should like TO walk" he
said quietly, and, shaking hands with
them, he set off, followed by the cheers
of the people, who still fingered and
watched him with eager but rspect-
flIl interest
An hour later Lord Clydesfold was
seated in his dining-room Of The
Dell, His man had rushed home and
prepared a meal, and with affection
ate anxiety had insisted upon his mas
ter's eating some of It; and CIydes-
fold sat thinking of the woman he
loved the woman for whose sake he
would have given his life, and yet
whom he dared not go near, when the
door opened and the servant an
nounced:
"NIr Vanley."
Faradeaue sprang to his feet and
took the trembling hands which the
squire held out to him; and for a