Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-08-24
had Rugged to his breast. I had hoped

against hope. But If they were trNs
copies, could no longer doubt that
Sir Mortimer had stopped to the TAX.
ing of brides.
And these documents are word for
word copies of those in the safe?" l
demanded gloomily.
Il swear 1t by every oath l hold sa.
cred!" she replied without hesitation,
and kissed the jeweled cross that hung
about her neck
She stretched out her hand for the
her eyes.
For moment she struggled to res.
cue them from my grasp. When she
saw that it was too late, she laughed
boisterously-a laughter that showed
at once contempt, defiance and tri-
umph
"Bravo!" She clapped her hands
dersively. "You take your precau-
tons. You are desperate. Protest as
you will, you are convinced of Sir Nor
timers guilt"
'You are mistaken" l replied cool
ly. But even If these papers are true
copies of genuine documents, it is as
well that even the copies be destroyed.
If they are forgeries, and you have yet
to prove to me they are not, they are
dangerous toys, and so better de-
stroyed."
Another copy is easily made, so
long as l have the combination of my
safe, M. Coward"
You are never weary of insulting
me- l said indifferently. But be sure
Of this, you will find | am not coward
enough to yield weakly to your scheme
of blackmail."
mo; you are so brave that you
leave a helpless girl to bear the dis
grace of her dead brother, when by
word you might save her the suffer
ing. Your pretended honor is so pre-
cious to you that you scorn to aid the
woman whom you love-"
silence, woman!" l cried passion
ately. do you think l am convinced
Of Sir Mortimer's guilt because Of
these flimsy typewriter copies? You
must let me see the papers in the
safe"
IF you are desperate enough to de-
you with the original. For the last
time, must the woman you love know
of her brothers disgrace? l am in
your power; perhaps you hope that |
shall be coaxed into opening the safe.
Or are you about to compel me?"
II should have resorted to that
measure long ago had l thought it
would prove effectual. 1t seems that
there is again deadlock between us.
refuse absolutely, not only to help
you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer
is guilty"
eff l show the papers in the safe to
Helena Brett, even she must believe
the evidence of her eyes. Shall | call
her and ask her if she recognizes her
brothers handwriting? If you believe
so strongly as you profess that Sir
Mortimer was innocent of wrong-do-
ing, you VIII not refuse that"
Il would spare her even the thought
of its possibility" l said sternly
That is impossible. She shall see
those papers-if not to-day, tomorrow,
the next day; it makes little difference
to me-"
Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof" l quoted flippantly; but |
began to think it inevitable that
Helena Brett be summoned.
Again we must compromise it APP
pears. l will call Sir Mortimers sister
here. She shall see the papers-de-
eide for herself and for you whether
they are genuine. You see, | am
strong enough to prevent woman
from destroying the originals as you
have destroyed the copies"
"And when she has seen those pa
pers?" 1 asked thoughtfully. Say
even that she herself believes them
genuine? What them"
ut will be for her to decide. Per-
haps she will refuse to ask you to do
what l wish. Perhaps she will offer
to you happiness if you consent. She
shall be the one to decide. You pro-
fess to believe that Sir Mortimer is
innocent. More than that, you think
her soul so white that she will refuse,
even if she believes her brother guilty,
to rescue his memory from dishonor
with dishonor.'
She had put into words my own
thought.
1--WE will let her decide" I said
quietly.