Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-03-04
Through a
WOn1an'S Heart.
By Sidney Warwick.
By Sidney Warwick.
CHAPTER XlV.-(Continued).


would listen to blind mans vague
assertion? The circumstances of the
case and the nurses lie were suffi-
cient alibi.
Stephen Ruthen had even looked for
ward to the date of Lathom's trial with
sort of fierce Impotence, anxious
for the suspense to end, telling him.
self that it was impossible Lathom
could be found guilty impossible
The man must be acquitted; and his
silence-a deep wrong and sin against
Lathom though it was-yould have
saved Olive. Olive must never know
what in her madness she had done;
the world that would judge her with
judgment different from his must
never know At all costs he must
shield her, save her. 1t was not as
though any jury could convict Lathom
On the evidence, Stephen told himself
vehemently.
And yet if Lathom were to get clear
away tonight-were not brought up to
trial-his innocence could never be es-
tablished. In his heart Stephen Ru-
then hoped fiercely that Lathom might
be recaptured; it would be the best
for Lathom in the end, for with the
trial must come acquittal. He refused
to consider any other possibility; he
told himself there was no other posi-
bility.
How could he, Stephen, speak the
| word that would doom Olive, his be-
loved, to all that the revelation of his
secret must bring? He would rather
sin to the end against Lathom than
speak it-this man who would not
have deviated by the merest hairs
breadth from tn enarrow path of hon
or to spare or save himself
Whilst these thoughts were conflict
| ing in his mind Thornton was speak
| ing rapidly.
I've got my car in the lane |
don't know if the best thing wouldn't
be to make bolt for it back along
the way I came Mr. Ruthen, you
must lend Lathom one Of your over
coats; in these light tweeds he's con-
spicuous. Come, we've wasted too
much time already, and every moment
| counts"
They went into the hall. At the foot
of the stairs Hilda stood listening for
an instant olives door was shut;
no sound from within
Mr. Ruthen, you won't mind if we
run off with this coat of yours?"
Thornton took it down from the stand
as he spoke. Hurry, Jack!"
Lathom slipped into it, and me-
chemically put on the black soft felt
nat that his friend held out to him
Thornton stared at him for mo-
ment.
by George!" he exclaimed, excited
ly, as sudden thought struck him.
Freddy tore Off the white silk muf-
fer he was wearing and wrapped it
round LathOm's neck, letting one end
hang down over the coat. He snatch
ed stick from the stand and thrust
it into the others hand
you're the blind man, Mr.. Grale;
in a dim light you're the blind organ
list to the life he whispered. Hur-
riedly he pulled the coat collar up
about Lathom's ears and crushed the
wideawake hat down over his brow.
"Stoop a bit-why, it's a TRANSFORMED
ton! That's the way out for us,
don't you see? For the next half
hour you're Grale, the blind man.
In the dim light of the hall Lathom s
| figure in this borrowed attire was GER
tainly like that Of Mr.. Grale; even
Stephen was struck by the resem-
blance. The blind organist affected a
somewhat clerical cut in his dress.
Almost as the words were spoken
Hilda cried, in a low, warning voice
Listen! What is that?"
Hurried, stealthy footsteps could
family be heard passing round by the
side of the house, and other footsteps,
farther away, coming up the path
towards the hall door
THE police!" 'muttered Thornton,
with a groan And one of them gone
round to the back to cut off escape
that way! Back and front both
guarded"
Dismay had fallen on the little
group. Only to Stephen Ruthen did
this climax bring almost sense of re-
lief. Since Lathom's arrest he had
not known moments peace-would
not know moments peace until the
suspense was ended with the trial and
acquittal of the man he was injuring
so deeply by his silence. If Lathom
succeeded in getting away, he cut
himself off from the one chance of
clearing himself.
An uncomfortable sob broke from
Hilda. She swayed unsteadily; those
footsteps sounded to her like the knell
of their last hope. Lathom caught her
in his arms.
Nerve yourself Miss Ruthen; you
mustn't break down! Well save him
yeti" cried Thornton, excitedly
Jack, there's only one bare chance,
and it depends on your carrying it
through with a bold front-but there
is a chance! Mr.. Ruthen, you'll have
to help us. Jack must pass out in the
| SulSo VI lle DllAu llidu DIS though lie
were just leaving the house after pay
ing a call; every one knows him by
sight. In the dim light he may get
through. l must keep out of sight or
it might rouse suspicion. Now, Jack,
quick-before they knock at the door.
Parson, you'll have to play up to the
deception for all you're worth! It's
in a good cause. 1t depends largely