Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-11
CHAPTER xx1v-continued.

CHAPTER XXIV-Continued.
With feverish fingers he tore apart the
strands Of the two discriminating cords.
and kindling fire in the crate. watched
| with gloating eyes while the flames con-
sumed them When the last strand had
been destroyed, he gave another deep
sigh of profound relief. and, with a
| chuckle of triumph, he undressed and got
| into bed.
He awoke early and lay thinking. What
should be his next step? He had plaus-
ible story ready to explain his return,
but there was something still to be done.
He must find out what Sadie's inten-
lions were now, in face Of his success In
recovering the cords: and with character
! istic assurance resolved to interview hel
! and get the facts for himself at first
| hand.
He could laugh at her threats now; and.
having dressed himself with his usual care
| and neatness, he left his room to find her.
His eye caught the cloak as he was 60
| ing out. and with a grin he threw 1t over
| his arm, determined to return it to her in
person.
| With a jaunty step he passed along the
| corridor which had been the scene of the
| previous nights venture and. finding. Sa-
dies door ajar, he pushed 1t open with
| out ceremony.
| Then he paused. Sadie and Eva were
| at breakfast and were g!eefully discuss
| ing the telegram calling the former to
Paris. and the arrangements for their i'm
mediate departure.
In an instant he saw through the flimsy
pretense Of the summons. and scented
fresh danger to himself. Instead of wait
ing to see Sadie, he threw the cloak down
and returned to his room to consider this
new development.
CordfaIly bo bofod Cocio opd vo,,ot,
as he had feared her. he had great re-
spect now for her shrewdness, and he sat
bordering over the puzzle. seeking In vain
for the key to it. 1t was, of course a
fresh blow aimed at him, and probably
| also, at Broadstone, and at any hazard it
must be prevented.
If Eva once left the Towers, all chance
OF carrying out their plans in regard to
her would be at an end.
There was one way to checkmate the
move, and only one that he could see.
That was to tell Eva the truth at once
that she was not Broadstone's wife.
BrOadstone would be furious at his TAX
ing such a course; but his cousins anger
did not count by the side of his own in
terests. II Broadstone had not been a
fool and a coward there would have been
no need now for drastic measures.
He would tell her; and no sooner had he
made the resolve than he went Off to
carry it out.
IL
He found Eva alone in her room, Sadie
having gone away to give some instruc-
tons in connection with their departure.
Eva was intensely surprised at his en-
trance They told me you had gone
away Mr.. Dorrison"
Il came back this morning. 1 have
something to say to you which cannot be
put off. / have very serious news. and
you must not go away in ignorance of 1t. :"
Serious news? Eva had grown to
fAov I, 1,SS ~~1re &,
creased her alarm and disgust. Der
tram is. coming here in a moment; wait
until he comes,' she said.
He paused, thinking how to strike the
blow SO that 1t should do the greatest
harm.
"Oh. Bertram knows all about it. He
has done 1t all. You have been grossly
deceived. I am the next heir to Broad
stone. you know, and held my tongue I'M
til this news of your child came. You
are not Bertram's wife. His first wife is
living. and 1 can't surrender my rights to
your illegitimate child"
His cunning had not betrayed him. 1t
was dastardly blow, and he had chosen
the most cruel way of striking it.
The blood left her face. She reeled
back. leaning against a table for support
as she stared at him helpless and almost
fainting
Illegitimate?' The word came fall
tering through her livid, trembling lips.
brute he was. the sight of her pain would
have checked his brutal words But 1t
had the opposite effect. and with coldly
calculated cruelty he turned the sword in
the wound.
Yes. illegitimate." he repeated. with
sneering emphasis on the word. I'D do a
lot for Broadstone, but / won't give up my
birthright to the child of his-mistress.'
"Oh. God!' she cried, shrinking and
shuddering. as her hands clenched in
agony.
Lord Broadstone came in then.
Gilbert! You here? Eva! Why, what
ever's the natter"
II have just told her that she is not
your wife, Bertram."
"Bertram! For Gods sake, say it isn't
true"
He can't unless he les said Dorrison.
with another sneer. IT warned him be-
tore he committed bigamy in marrying
you.
Sadie, hearing voices. hurried in. and
ran to Eva and put her arm round her.
Dearest"
"He tells me I am not Bertram's wife.
And that my child-oh, Margaret, Mar
garet!'
"She knows it. too" declared Dorrison.
But Eva did not hear that. She had
tainted in Sadie's arms.
You had better send at once for the
doctor. Lord Broadstone and take that
villain out of the room.''
Dorrison shrugged his shoulders. you've
forced this he said. "You tried to hurry
her away. Now you can see the result
1T may kill her. And you will then
have murdered her as you murdered her
brother"
Dorrison made no reply. but with an
other shrug Of the shoulders followed
Broadstone. who had already hurried
away to summon the doctor.