The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-27

I~Ifamlnond's help. tho man who had per.
sonsted Jack and stolen the paper was
found and tho whole story revealed.
But olives name and the part she
had played wcre carefully kept secret.
for fear or trouble from those mem
berg % the conspiracy whom she had
betrayed.
Mrs. Taunton was TO have been ar
rested. but when the detectives went
to Markham Stree. she had vanished.
Sho was traced to Liverpool, and 1t
was believed SHE had taken passage
to America in II vessel which. was ar.
terward lost with all hands mt sen.
Jack had been compelled to he 1nueit
IN London during all the invcsttga-
tions. and returned TO tho Manor on
the day when Puryis was we'll enough
to be asked for the explanation,
Olive had, of course, told the others
her belief that tire explanation OF
everything was that Pnrvts had mar
riod Mrs. Merridew before her mnr-f
riage to Mr.. Parmcntcr. The whole
ISSUE hung on the question OF the
date. therefore.
On the afternoon OF the day OF the
crisis Olive. Jack and MIR. Easement
were together In the library waiting
for the summons to the mans bedside.
and now that the moment had come,
Olive, whose condenco had never waY-
cred, could not now conceal her In
tense anxiety. Mr.. Easement had for
some days been preparing her for a
disappointment. lie had had every
possible inquiry made to discover CYL
dcnce OF n marriage between Puryis
and Mrs. Merridew. and had failed.
only Jack protested absolute indiffer-
cnce. Come what might. he declared.
Olive should be his wife.
I'm afraid we are going TO BIO dig
~ ,og,x9a al ~ q a III Mr. n racatnaptI y1nOYY-
ily. and ] would not build too much
on this mans statement, olive"
IT am as condent as ever there has
been some rascality," she answered.
well, my dear young lady, ! ought
to tell you ! have tried to discover tho
proofs OF n marriage two Purvis
and the Mcrridew women and hago
failed"
"But she admitted lie was her hus-
band the moment he came here. Olive
overheard 1t, Mr.. Easement" declared
Jack. "But i don't care. l have made
up my mind"
"a marriage cannot take place In this
country. Jack, without tho evidence be-
ing in existence." replied tho lawyer.
What l wish to do is to guard against
the effects OF the terrible disappoint-
ment to Olive which may be In store
for her"
what I'm afraid OF is that the fell
low won't tell the truth. Tho devil
was Ill the devil a saint would be- o
know. But disappointment or not, Olive
shall be my wife within q week" and
he ook her hand and smiled.
She smiled back, but shook her read.
1--WE shall see. Jack"
Elf she doesn't consent. Jack, l shall
throw up her affairs. I warn YOU
and the lawyer shook his finger at
Olive laughingIy. You are too great
a responsibility. Olive
They we're all smiling at this when
Selma entered the, room.
Can we go up now. Sclma7" asked
Olive, eagerly. as she arose.
'Ir you wish; but there is no need.
Father has told me. You were wrong
in your thought, Miss Parmenter. that
your father married Mrs. Merridew
after my fathers marriage to her
"Ah that's wlsat I feared.,' broke in
Mr.. Easement. tossing up his hands.
Jack was watching olives face and.
seeing her vince and shrink at this.
took her land and pressed 1t. 'Never
mind, sweetheart he whispered.
wait. please walt, all OF you" cried
Selma. "Why did you interrupt me-"
she added to tho lawyer. II bring good
news, not bad. Mr.. Parmenter never
married Mrs. Merridew al all. They
were to have been married; all was
arranged; notice had been given to tho
Registrar. and everything had been
liked. But Mr.. Parmenter left the
country and my father was married
to her in the name of Parmenter and
tile witnesses were told that he was
Mr.. Parmenter."
"But tho signature to tho register"
cried Mr.. Easement.
My father wrote ito his shame"
saId Selma. with tears In her eyes.
You know 1t was for forgery he was
afterward convicted. He has told mo
everything: and all we can do is to
throw ourselves on your mercy. He
has been very guilty; but he has SUI
fered. When yon saved his life he re-
solved to tell you. and was going to
do so at the moment the second m,ir-
dcrous attack wa made by Merrtdcw.
May ! beg you TO be mcrciful?"
"FIurrah!" shouted Jack ecstatically,
Us he Kissed Olive. who disengaged
herself from him and went and kissed
Selma.
You know me we'll enough not to
dream such q question is even ncccg-
sary. Selma. Go back and tell him
past for the sake Of tho present, but
that II I can help 1t. neither her nor
you shall know another care In life.
Stay, sletsme go UP with YOU" and sllo
linked her arm in selma's.
Not even waiting for my congratu-
|lations, Olive?" cried Mr.. Easement.
My dear friend she said as she
put her hand in his. you know 1T
but she broke down there. and the
tears rushed to her eyes and the soba
schokel her, ntterance.
II know he said. drawing her close
,and kissing her on the forehead. I'm
Nike you, and can't say all l feel Just
now
"IIcre, but I can. What about me?,'
cried Jack, boisterously.
Olive turned and laughed back hap-
Hplly at him through her tears. You'll
find plenty OF tirne to tell me all about
that, Il expect. Jack.''
"You bet 7 WILL" he answered as chs
left tho room with Selma, Then fol-
lowing her to the door he called after
her: Remember WhatI said lust now.
mind. A week. Not an hour longer"
Her answer was another laugh aud
a. happy Blush. as she turned aud
glanced hack at him over her shoulder.
And he had his way.