Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-17

your ullle sisters VINO ule4dllf i0tSVN
my present role upon me. When they
spoke TO me was-I was beside myself
with panic and despair, and it seemed
as though q way of escape had been
opened to me. But l swear to you
that never intended TO carry
out the-the deception. If / had not
been stupefied with my illness | should
have hesitated before taking advantage
of a child's mistake. But l was not
myself, mentally arl physically, and
when your sister first accosted me ! had
just made the discovery that / was being
watched by a man whom l suspected
of being a detective"
"a detective!" Sage interlopated faint
ly. Light had dawned upon her at last,
and she grew white to the lips with the
shock of the sudden discovery. Then
then you are the man they were asking
about that night 2" she faltered, scarce
ly conscious of what she was saying,
as she recalled her interview With the
detective and Constable Jeffcock.
Undoubtedly / am" was the grim
response, but an instant later the speak
er started violently as the full import
of her remark dawned upon hirl,
"'They tracked me here, then? But
when-how?' he cried, raising himself
on his elbow, forgetful for the moment
of his weakness.
"The night you came; told them you
were our cousin, and they went away be-
lieving me-" said Sage rapidly; and with
a groan of mingled relief and exhaustion
the invalid fell back again, looking ready
to faint. Sage's nursing instinct was to
the front at once; she refused to listen
to another word until she had admins
tered restorative that the nurse had
left within reach. Then, when her pa
tient had gasped himself into conscious
ness again, she took the initiative.
This is all very perplexing. / am
quite as bewildered as you can be-" she
said. IF you are not really our cousin,
Jim NIilward, will you try to tell me
what-what brought you into your pres
ent position?"
The young man made a sign of ac-
quiescence.
"Its rather a long story" he said.
Perhaps, when you've heard everything,
you'n give me up, but somehow don't
think you will. 1 think you'll under
stand. You-there's rather look of
Ellie about you, you see"
as Ellie your sister," asked Sage
gently.
The expression in his eyes answered
her before he spoke.
"No, not my sister. But she-we love
each other, and she is going to be my
wife some day. At least, she was be-
| fore-before He broke off with q
groan of such utter despair that, in spite
of herself, Sage's heart went out TO him
in eager sympathy.
Don't tell me if it hurts you to speak
of it." she murmured.
! Jerrold Mines put out his hand again
81 want to tell you. l must" he
said, grasping her fingers with an almost
convulsive pressure. ut is due to you
| that you should know the truth now
about-about the poor wretch you have
been sheltering under your roof. You
say that your mother cannot bear any
agitation, or | would have spoken tc
| her"
ooh, no, no! My mother must be
shielded at all costs!" cried Sage
Il thought you would say that. IL
tried to speak to the doctor, but he
wouldn't listen, and-well. it may be
cowardly, but I thought / would tell
you and throw myself ON your mercy
If you choose to give me up when you
have heard l shan't blame you. You
read the papers, l suppose?"
Sage concealed her surprise at the
abrupt question.
Yes" she replied.
"And yet you don't remember my
name in connection with-with--" The
weak voice faltered and sank to an al
most inaudible whisper. Sage bent low
err and one word fell clearly on her hor-
rified ears.
Murder"
Murder" she repeated involuntarily
Her companion saw her start back and
shrink, and he gave a harsh, mirthless
laugh.
well, they would probably bring it in
as manslaughter," he replied "And that
is about the best / could expect Per-
haps l should have stayed and faced ii
out, but Ellie prayed me to go, and, for
| her sake, II turned my back upon the
consequences of moments blind rage
and became fugitive from justice"
Tell me everything" said Sage. q
1 believe remember" she began.
"Of course you do" he interrupted,
Trust the papers for getting hold Of the
story. 1t is odd to think that whilst
the ports were being watched and de-
tectives were ON the lookout for me all
over the country, was lying here, safe
and wellcared for, under the protection
! of another's man name.
| rn mr.