The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-14

had hugged to his breast. I had hoped
against hope. But II they were true
copies. l could no longer doubt that
Sir Mortimer had stopped TO the TAX
Ing of bribos.
"And these documents arc word for
word copies OF those In tho safo?" l
demanded gloomily.
IF swear II by every oath | hold ga
credl" she replied without hesitation.
and kissed the jeweled cross that hung
about her neck.
She stretched out her hand for tho
papers. / tore them to atoms before
her eyes.
For moment she struggled to res.
cue them from my grasp. When she
saw that 1t was too late. she laughed
boisterously-a laughter that showed
at once contempt. defiance and TIL
umph.
Bravo" She clapped her hands
dersiyely. You take your precau-
tions. You are desperate Protest as
you Will you are convinced OF Sir Nor
timers guilt"
"You arc mistaken" / replied cool
| ly. But even II these papers are true
copies OF genuine documents. II Is as
we'll that even the copies be destroyed
II they nre 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 l have the combination of my
safe, NJ. Coward"
You ere never weary OF insulting
me" l said lndifferently. But be sure
of this. you win find | am not coward
enough to yield weakly to your scheme
OF blackmail"
"No: you are so brave that you
leave a helpless girl to bear the dis
grace of hver 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 womani" | cried passion
ateiy. DO you think | am convinced
of Sir Mortimer's guilt because OF
these flimsy typewritten copies? You
must let me see the papers In the
safe"
If you are desperate enough to de-
stroy copy. I should scarcely trust
you With the original For the last
time. must the woman you love know
of her brothers Disgrace? / am In
your power: perhaps you hope that 1
shall be coaHed into opening the safe.
Or are you about to compel me2"
Il should have resorted to that
measure long ago had I thought 1t
would prove effectual 1t seems that
there is again deadlock between us.
| refuse absolutely, not only to help
you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer
Is guilty"
"1f l show the papers In the safe to
Helena Brett. even she must believe
the evidence Of her eyes. Shall / call
her and ask her II she recognizes her
brothers handwriting? If you believe
so strongly as you profess that Sir
Mortimer was innocent of wrong-do-
ing. you Will not refuse that"
II would spare her even the thought
of It's possibility" I said sternly.
That is impossible. She shall SEQ
those papers-if not to-day. tomorrow,
the next day, 1t makes little difference
to me"
Sufficient unto the day Is the evil
thereof" / quoted fiippantly: but
began to think it inevitable that
Helena Brett be summoned
Again we must compromise It ap-
pears, l Will call sir Mortimers sister
here. She shall see the papers-de-
eide for herself and for you whether
they are genuine. You see, I 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?" asked thoughtfully. Say
even that she herself believes them
genuine2 What them"
ut 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 II you consent Sho
shall be the one to decide You pro-
fess to believe that Sir Mortimer Is
innocent More than that, you think
her soul so white that she will refuse.
even If she believes her brother guilty,
TO rescue his memory from dIshonor
with dishoner"
She had put into words my own
thought
I'VE will let her decide" l said
quietly.