Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-01-16
Coz thva srm my grasp. When IN,

cos nvra wUm my grasp. When sh'
saw that II was too late. she laughe,
boisterousiy-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
ly. But even If these papers are true
copies of genuine documents, 1t IL rs
well that even the copies be destroyed.
Il 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 | have the combination Of my
safe, NJ. Coward"
you are never weary Of insulting
me-" | said indifferently. Put 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 yau
leave a 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, womanl" | cried passion.
ately. do you think | am convinced
Of Sir Mortimer's guilt because Of
these flimsy typewriter copies? You
must let me see the papers in the
safe"
III you are desperate enough TO de.
stroy a copy, | should scarcely trust
you with the original. For the last
time, must the oma yon love know
Of her brothers disgrace? l am in
your power; perhaps you hope that ]
shall be coaxed into opening the safe
Or are you about to compel me-"
II should have resorted to that
measure long ago had | thought It
would prove ~effectual, It seems that
there is again a deadlock between us.
! refuse absolutely, not only to help
you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer
is guilty"
IL i SlON lHt pdptIS III tht Stlt W
Helena Brett, even she must believe
the evidence of her eyes. Shall | call
her and ask her If she recognizes her
brothers handwriting? II you believe
so strongly as you profess that Sir
Mortimer was innocent of wrong.do.
ing. you viii not refuse that"
Il would spare her even the thought
~ tie pnputhtittv ~ I said etarp1y
THAT is impossible. She shall see
those papers-if not today, tomorrow,
the next day; It makes little difference
to me-"
"'Suficient unto the day is the evil
thereof" | quoted %hippantly; but
began to think 1t inevitable that
Helena Brett be summoned.
Again we must compromise II ap.
pears. ! will call Sir Mortimer's sister
here. She shall see the papers--de,
eide for herself and for you whether
they are genuine. You see, | am
strong enough to prevent a woman
from destroying the originals as you
have destroyed the copies"
And when she has seen those pa
pers?" l asked thoughtfully. Say
even that she herself believes them
genuine? What them"
1T will be for her to decide. Per
haps she will refuse to ask you to do
what | 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 thar that, you think
her soul so white that she will refuse
even If she believes her brother guilty
to rescue his memory from dishonoi
with %dishonor."
She had put into words my own
thought.
we will let her decide" I Cali
quietly.