The Ordway new era., 1907-08-09
SEg4eR2S5 ES!M5
The Mystery
BY
SsEPH BROWN COOKE
,,,,u.st tm b, story Press c0r'0'."0''
CHAPTER XXI.
A, amphipian Mystery.

ton and. grasping her some.
!, rudely by the arm. l ex-
Mined: 49,, =,
IN Yourself at once"
(you, know well enough what l
an ond who | mean, sir" she re-
"a in A whisper. placing her mouth
"a IN my ear as she spoke. AS
love Miss Carney. and as you
ma her happiness. sir. you must
!, me and ask no questions now
nondered deeply for moment be-
answered her and then | said
low tone:
PYou are asking a great deal OF me,
Bruce. You must remember that
I'm Miss Carney's legal adviser and
n am In duty bound to look out
her interests. This thing has gone
te far enough already. and yet
tters are growing more and more
s,arious. heard jerks tell you
was up on the hill this morn
and have no wish to deny 1t,
I saw something there that must
explained at once or | shall notify
authorities: and. for my part, |
not see how II can be explained at
fwhat did YOU see. sir?" she gasped.
n In great mental distress.
well,' | replied. slowly. Il saw n
Inber OF little graves. or what ap'
bred TO be such"
Oh, my Cod" she moaned, cover.
her face with her hands. !; sid
think anything like that could
Bppen, should have burned them.
oh, why didn't l burn them!
would have been much safer"
jerks had skunk into the house.
living us to ourselves. and | was
labed TO talk more freely.
"Look here. woman," | cxclaim.
What In the name of heaven
Us all this mean? Speak, or by all
ats holy I'll have you in jail before
pning!"
Ny impassioned words had no effect
bon her other than to make her
tep piteously, and waited until she
pd regained her composure some
Pat and was able TO talk coher.
bis.
You misjudge me. Mr.. Ware" she
dt. Indeed you do. sir. i have COM
lifted no crime. sir. and | am doing
in my power to prevent one: for
would be crime II it happened.
Though the law wouldn't call 1t so.
r."
She laid her hand on my shoulder
speciully and then, the old.fashion-
motherly way coming over her,
e continued in choking voice:
You must do as l ask. Mr.. Ware.
not distrust me, beg of you,
7, for have so much to bear and |
f'e borne 1t all so patiently and
willingly, too, sir. Remember,
,e no fault to find. and | am glad
nave been able to do what | have
pne' sir, but the end is so near
pW mat cannot bear to have every
as go for nothing at the last"
'ier eyes were filled with tears. and,
"hat l might, ! could not doubt
honesty and sincerity. Before
Puid speak, she went on hurriedly
PoSins about her in an apprehensive
fay:
Just believe in me for few days
won't you? Do this for your own
Ae and for Miss Carney's and the
tner young lady's. You will never
Fsret 1t, sir, | promise you: / swear
SIR on everything l hold sacred,
|Au uod knows | am n churchwoman
(nl live in fear of Him and His love
ror my life could do no more than
|Ae asked, and, after moments 8
|e's,'auon, 81 said slowly:
must trust you, Mrs. Bruce, but
must tell you that l do SO against
4! n oest Judgment. do not see how
'neSe things can be explained sat
/ fae'oriiy and they must be ex
|o,,n neu soon in every way. Still.
'o,' nese mat you are sincere in what
ou 'eil me, and. for the present at
a,.' s'' VIII ask no more questions and
Ln upon you to fulfill your protesta
Ima ' Vi good faith when the proper
a, ue comes. You will understand, OF
se shs, mat in spite OF this promise
! ai .a leei perfectly free at any time
Ae such steps in this matter as
!, may w., deem necessary. and, while
ha, "nlihg to let things stand as
G bay are now for a short time,
% nv act promptly and effectively II
,,m.. ~ new or otherwise suspicious cir
instances ,,a,i arise"
,o,. 'n these words turned and
Ion Aea down the path In the direc
s tana, Of carney-Croft. leaving he,
ne Thn by the gate. crying softly
i lug next afternoon took . boat on
n.n y rser and padded aimiessly up and
4 ~ trying to kill time and Watching
A ~ ODD0rfu us.Ak~ - -. = u - = r..