Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-07-20

But you are at the chateau" She
spoke the words obstinately. That
fact was. in her eyes, an unanswerable
argument.
yes; and / know that Captain
Forbes is detained there; | know that
he has just signaled to you that fact
and has asked you to get help. And
now want you to leave the matter
in my hands. | demand that as my
right. 1t is task l have set myself.
Once you said to me that | should
save life for the life that was lost
through me-"
You have already made that repa-
ration, Mr. Haddon," she said almost
humbly. Fate has punished me that
| should have judged you so hastily
and so wrongly"
mo, MOI" spoke in fierce remon-
STRANGE. "Will you never be just to
me? That was an accident, I tell
you"
81 do not like you less that you say
So"
1t was hopeless to make her under
stand now. | should have confessed
my cowardice sooner if l wished to be
believed She had judged as at Luz
cerne. And this judgment caused me
much the greater pain.
Listen" | drew her to a garden
seat. "a life for life-that is what
you said. But if, instead of a life, it
were mans honor that could save
if it were the honor of your
brother?"
Her lips trembled. She leaned to-
ward me in her appeal.
ooh, you would crush me with the
weight of my gratitude. Save my
brothers honor. and, and"
Il should then stand equal with
other men in your respect?"
Eyes" she said family, her eyes
bright with unshed tears. 1--WE need
a friend so much now. We are in
such deep distress because of my poor
brother. Evidently you know of his
disgrace" Shame blanched her cheek.
II know something of it," l said
with sympathy. Tell me, Miss Brett,
do l not bear marked resemblance
to your brother?"
AT first sight 1t is startling" she
cried eagerly. when my mother and
| saw you at Lucerne we thought you
were he. When we learned that you
were with Mr.. WiIloughby at the time
of his death, you can understand how
yEycs Cd int
ment. Forgive me If am again sus-
picious, but that I should find you
the guest Of Madame de WARMER now,
at this time"
"If an to help you, you must trust
me-"
II will. l do"
Implicitly"
yes"
Even though circumstances seem
utterly against me? Even though
may seem friend of Madame de Var
nier-to be in league with her against
your"
She hesitated. "She fs a dangerous
woman. If my poor brother has fallen
victim to her horrible beauty" ..
II shall be on my guard I replied
lightly, smiling at her fierce resent
ment.
guest. Is that wise? How can you eff
feet the release of Captain Forbes IL
you remain at the chateau"
How can l learn the truth concern
ing your brother, how can I do my ut
most to save his honor (if it be not yet
teau-yes, unless l am on apparent
good terms with Madame de Varnier?"
You are testing my belief in you to
the utmost, Mr.. Haddon I suppose
you smooth the suspicious of your
hostess as readily as you do mine"
She spoke bitterly And If she found
it difficult to trust me now, how much
more difficult when she learned, not
the whole truth, but a damning half
truth.
"Ah, you are wavering already in
the trust you have promised to give
me. Great God, you think that it is a
pleasant task have set myself? To
smile on this woman, to play the hypo-
critic, to spy on her when | am her
guest, that | may dog her. coax her
into telling the truth. that I may en-
trap her accomplice and herself at the
right moment? Miss Brett, would
wash my hands OF this ugly business
if | had not sworn to endure every
ignomny and risk of being misunder-
stood not only by man like Captain
Forbes by by yourself. tell you that
| have not clear field to carry out
my plans-if fail, or am baffled by
some well-meaning intruder, l am
disgraced man. No one will believe
my defence-not even you. | may
even be dragged TO prison as a COM
mon felon."
She placed both her hands in mine.
Forgive me. My anxiety is so
great. l do trust you. Return to