Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-09-25

had Rugged to his breast had hoped
against hope. But If they were true
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?" /
demanded gloomily.
81 swear it by every oath hold sa-
cred!" she replied without hesitation,
and kissed the jeweled cross that hung
about her neck.
She stretched out her hand for the
papers. I tore them to atoms before
her eyes.
For moment she stHggled to res
cue them from my gr- =. Vixen 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" replied cool
". "But even if these papele 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 I have the combination of my
safe. M. Coward"
| ''You are never weary of insulting
me-" I 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 helpless girl to bear the dis
grace of her dead brother, when by a
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!" I cried passion
ately. "Do you think I am convinced
of Sir Mortimer's guilt because OF
these himsy type4itten copies? You
must let me see the papers in the
SAFE"
eff you are desperate enough to de
stroy copy, I should scarcely trust
you with the original For the last
time, must the woman you love know
of her brothers disgrace? I am in
your power; perhaps you hope that
shall be coaXed into opening the safe
Or are you about to compel me?"
Il should have resorted to that
measure long ago had I thought it
would prove effectual. 1t seems that
there is again a deadlock between us
I refuse absolutely, not only to help
you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer
is guilty"
eff I show the papers in the safe to
Helena Brett, even she must believe
the evidence of her eyes. Shall cal
her and ask her if she recognizes hel
brothers handwriting? If you believe
so strongly as you profess that Sill
Mortimer was innocent of wrong-do
ing, you VIII not refuse that
'1 would spare her even the thought
of it's possibility" 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 evi
thereof I quoted flippantly; but
began to think it inevitable thai
/ Helena Brett be summoned.
again we must compromise it ap
pears. will call Sir Mortimers sister
here She shall see the Daners-de
eide for herself and for you whether
they are genuine You see, an
strong enough to prevent a woman
from destroying the originals as yor
have destroyed the copies."
"And when she has seen those pa
pers?" asked thoughtfully.S "Say
even that she herself believes them
genuine? What them"
'It will be for her to decide Per
haps she will refuse to ask you to dc
what I 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 dishonol
with dishonor."
She had put into words my OWL
thought.
/ I'VE will let her decide" said
quietly.
CHAPTER XVII.