Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-02-27
declare her love for me. but she did
love me. WAS anrA Of II.

declare her love Tor mo, out oau
love me; I was sure Of It.
And then suddenly I thought OF the
words OF the Countess SarahoR when
l made my escape by the ladder OF
stones: GO, and I swear by the cause
I hold sacred, that, II you can save
Ferdinand, the honor OF Sir Mortimer
shall be saved" That promise might
mean little. 1t might mean that she
would show her gratitude by refusing
to make public Sir Mortimer's dis.
grace. Or had her words q deeper
signiacance?"
But" I cried eagerly. nothing 10
quite impossible. repeat now what
| said to you when In your grief
you asked me to meet the banker. I
cannot believe In your brothers guilt.
] cannot conceive how a man whose
integrity has been undoubtetd during
a brilliant career should suddenly
stoop to the shame Of taking bribes."
A flash OF hope shone In Helena's
pale face. only to be followed by
the deepest detection. But there are
the proofs she said. m%ournfully. 81
cannot. would that I could, deny my
brothers writing"
Il must see Madame de WARMER. A
few hours ago she held us at her
mercy. But now we have the upper
hand; there are many things she
must explain. Where is she?'
she left the chateau with Ferdi.
nand half an hour ago"
Left the chateau" I cried, aghast.
why was she not heidi"
prince Ferdinand insisted that she
must go at once to Sofia. lie has
sent her On some secret mission. !
think she must be ono Of his spies"
And she left no message for me?'
I demanded, gloomily.
NO. replied Helena, looking at me
in wonder why do you ask?"
did not tell her Of Madame dc
Varnier's promise. knew now that
It had been given me quite recklessly
to spur me to action. | was mad tC
expect mercy and gratitude from such
a woman. She was too determined
on her revenge. remembered bit
terly how she had told me In the tow
er that she sacrificed friends and enc
mics II they proved obstacles to hel
plans.
Il had hoped" I answered, vaguely
now that Ferdinand was saved. tina
she might in some way be able t.
show us that your brothers dishOnO
is not 80 great AS 1t appears"
But could she explain away hi
writing?" asked Helena mOurnfully
No; ever II she feels nor for he
cruelty In torturing me, It Is to-
late. | have eaten OF the tree of know
edge, Mr.. Haddon. and It Is very bit
ter. Heaven has reversed my fate an
yours. II is I who now have lost m
self.rcspect, while you have gained
mo" cried, bitterly, II have fai
ed utterly In my task. l dared hop
for too much. ! have dared to
greatly in dreaming that I should fin
happiness In this Castle of Lies"
Put" she whispered. II. too. hav
dared. Ernest, and ] shall not TO
get"
%"IIclcna!" ! crushed her hands I
mine. Even now I refuse to despair
will find this woman though ] scare
the earth for her. She shall tell m
everything, and perhaps even now
Not even your love can bring abor
tho impossible"
But II II could II by a miraCl
your brothers honor were shown I
be stainlcss?"
"Ah, II You could work miracles
yes" she faltered.
The door was flung open brusqu'
ly. Locke stood at the threshold, hi
keen glance bent cynically on me.
80 you are quite yourself again
-, He concealed his embarrassment b
)" a gruff demeanor. s much the be