The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14

pathy to bridge the gaps in her narra-
tive. MY father. There was trou-
bic of some sort. At all events, he
disappeared when I was baby. My
mother. died. I was brought up
in the home of my great uncle, Colonel
George Burgoyne, of the Indian army
retired. My. mother had been his fav-
orite niece, they say; I presume that
was why he cared for me: 1 grew up
in his home in Cornwall; it was my
home, just as he was my father in
everything but fact.
"a year ago he died, leaving me
everything-the town house in Frog
nall street. his estate in Cornwall:
everything was willed to me on con-
dition that I must never live with my
father, nor in any way contribute to
his support. If I disobeyed. the entire
estate without reserve was to go to his
nearest Of kin. Colonel Burgoyne
was unmarried and had no children"
The girl paused. lifting to Kirk
woods face her eyes, clear, fearless,
truthful. II never was given to under
stand, that there was anybody who
might have inherited, other than my
SELF" she declared.
I see
Last week received a letter, signed
Win my ldInGT name, D6BBlnK me 10
appoint an interview with him in Lon
don. I did so-guess now gladlyl was
alone in the world, and he, my father,
whom had never thought to see i. /.
We met at his hotel, the Pless He
wanted me to come and live with
him-said that he was growing old
and lonely and needed a daughters 8
love and care. He told me that he had
made a fortune in America and was
amply able to provide for US both. AS
for my inheritance, he persuaded me
Frederick Hallam, Mrs. Hallam's son."
II have met the young gentleman"
interpolated Kirkwood.
His name was new to me- but my
father assured me that he was the next
of kin mentioned IN Colonel Burgoyne's
will, and convinced me that I had no
real right to the property. =. Az
ter all he was my father; 1 agreed;
could not bear the thought of wronging
anybody. I was to give up everything
but my mothers jewels. It seems--my
father said-I DON'T can't believe it
now"
She choked on little. dry sob. 1t
was some time before she seemed able
to continue.
"I was told that my great uncle's
collection of Jewels had been my moth
ers property. He had in life a passion
for collecting Jewels, and 1t had been
his whim to carry them with him wher-
ever he went. When he died In Frog
nall street they were in the safe by the
head of the bed. In my grief at first
forgot them, and then afterward care
lessly put off removing them.
"To come back to my father: Night
before last we were to call on Mrs.
Hallam. 1t was to be our last night
in England; we were to sail for the
continent on the private yacht of a
friend of my fathers. the next morn
ing. -. This is what was told
and believed. you understand.
THAT night Mrs Hallam was din
ing at another table at the PIess. it
seems. did not then know her. When
leaving, she put note on our table,
by my fathers elbow. was astonished
beyond words. He seemed much
agitated, told me that he was called
away on urgent business, matter of
life and death, and begged me to go
alone to Frognall street, get the lew
els and meet him at Mrs. Hallam's later.
-. 1 wasn't altogether a fool, for I
began to dimly suspect. then, that
something was wrong; but was a fool.
for / consented to do as he desired.
You understand-you know
81 do indeed" replied Kirkwood
grimly. Il understand a lot OF things
now that l didn't five minutes ago.
Please let me think !"
But the time he took for deIibera-
tion was short He had hoped to find
a way to spare her. by sparing Calen-
dar: but momentarily he was becoming e
more impressed with the futility of
dealing with her save in terms of can
dor, merciful though they might seem
harsh.
Il must tell you," he said, that you
have been outrageously misled, swind-
led and deceived. I have heard from