Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-20
THE SLAVE OF SILENCE
BY FRED NJ. WHITE.

There was nothing to be said, nothing to be
done. On the whole 1t was just well.
tits a CHASTITY business altogether" Ber-
rington said to Field. old soldier as
am have had quite enough of horrors for
one night l understand that Miss Grey re-
turned to the Royal Palace with Mrs. Rich
ford 1 had better go and tell them both
| what has happened -
| Field agreed. and Bennington departed on
| his Grand 1t was not much past II yet,
| SO there was plenty of time. Mary and
| Beatrice had gone back to the hotel in care
| OF Mark Ventmore. They were seated In
| the drawing room when Bennington arrived.
| Beatrice crossed the room quickly. She
wanted to have a few words with Berring
| ton before the others Joined In the discus
| sion; she wanted to know if anything had
| been discovered.
About my father?" she asked This
suspense is horrible. Have they not got on
the track yet? Why did they want to do
| that disgraceful thing at alp
| Bennington explained as far as possible.
Beatrice was quick to see the meaning of it
| all. The recital of the story made her a
| little easier in her mind.
Possibly by this time tomorrow" Ber-
! ington said. meanwhile l have something
to tell both you and Miss Grey that will be
| shock to you. though personally 1t would
| be hypocritical to regard 1t in the light of
| deplorable event. There was an accident
| to the motor car"
Mr.. sartoris, I mean Mr.. Grey, has he
escaped?" Beatrice cried. Yes"
| i uOn tHlnk tUdl H1 was trying 10 eS-
cape. l fancy 1t was moro IN the spir't p
dlabolical mischief thaz -ns--SSae.ss ISe- but
he attacked the driver and made a grab
| for the steering wheel. The result was
set Stephen Richford was pitched clean
over the bridge on to the lines, and
and"
KILLED on the spot?" Beatrice asked
| quietly. Would that l could say that 1 am
sorry. 1t is the best thing that could have
happened And the rest of them?"
There was not much damage done, ex-
| cept to Sartoris, or Grey. rather. The body
| of the car struck him on the chest, and
| rib stuck into his lung. He bled to death.
| was the last person to see him. To the
| end he was as hard and callous as ever.
VIII you tell Mary. please? 1t would come
! better from YOU"
Bennington and ventmore stood talking
! quietly together while Beatrice performed
her sad task. Mark listened to all that
| Bennington had to tell.
| "And yet all this bother might have been
| saved" he said MY father knew all
| about those concessions, and he has a pretty
| good idea of the value of them. Only yes
| terday he was talking to me about It. If
| Sir Charles had gone to him, he could have
| got every penny that he required. But you
| see, l was not on good terms with my
father at the time, though that Is all for
| given and forgotten now. At any rate 1
think we should ask my fathers assistance
| II only to clear the good name of Sir
| Charles, and make provision for Beatrice
| Now that RichfOrd Is dead, something will
| have to be done. Don't you think SOP?
| IT am quite sure that you are right" Ber-
! r,ngton said. Your father is rich, and
| remarkably good man Of business He Is
the very one to put matters on a proper
footing. and see that the money is returned
| to the company that Sir Charles Was ell
tangled with. You say that those ruby
| mines really a good property?'
| MY father says that they are splendid"
| Mark replied. Enough to give Sir Charles
large income. pay his -ebts, and provide
| for Miss Decie besides. I shall see my
father tonight, and will go thoroughly into
| the question with him.
| The thing was left at that. and Berringto
| made his preparations to depart. Mary was
| crying quietly now with the keen edge of
| her grief taken of. Mark and Beatrice
drew aside, so that the others could talk in
private
/ What shall l say to you, Nary Ber-
| rington asked.
What can you say?" the girl asked in a
gentle tone. "You are a good man, Phil,
| and 1t is good to know that you have loved
me SO devotedly and sincerely. l shall be
able to come to you now ana take up the
thread of my happiness, where deliberately
snapped II three years ago. If my brother
had not been misled by a designing wom-
an
MARY" Bennington said with frmness.
story from Field only tonight who has
heard it from the lips of Miss Decie herself.
| She is girl as good and pure as yourself.
| From first to last she deceived. If
| Frank Leviter. the man who sacrificed his
life for her sake and whom she loved. had
lived, the mask would have fallen from
your eyes Your brother treated Violet De-