The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-20
CHAPTER xxxlll.
a Compile alton.

utterlng the words which had risen 10
his lips
But Ailsa checked the cry that strug'
g.ed for utterance. She could not re
sist the vague feeling that here was a
man who was fighting her battle lot
her. And again she was not blind
te- theta Wedge that tt'e- presence III
| Thomas at this particular moment
was less than catastrophe IL only
/ he succeeded in reaching his wife >
| bedroom, goddess only knows the
mischief that he might accomplish.
All these things flashed through
Ailsas mind and brought her courage
back TO her She stood there still anu
rigid, filled with hope that John
Stern would get the best OF the con
test. But from the first the issue was
never in doubt. The merciless grip on
old Thomas throat never relaxed until
he ceased TO struggle and lay on the
mat dazed and frightened He was
being paid back in some OF mis- own
coin. Ailsa thought, not without salts
| faction.
Then his assailant bent over him
and whispered a few words in his ear
that Ailsa could not catch. Thomas
struggled 10 his feet in dazed KIND
OF way and nodded humoly enough. Al
was quite evident that all the night
lad been knocked out OF him. The
younger man sternly pointed up the
stairs, and Thomas disappeared up
them discreetly
But this is folly Ailsa protested.
You are actually bringing about the
very thing that you are most anxious
70 avoid II Thomas sees his wife
Thomas is going TO do nothing OF
the kind" Braybrooke painted. !
think | have succeeded in thoroughly
subduing Thomas He is an inveter-
ate old bully, and | have treated him
quite in the proper way. lie is afrai'l
OF me now for more reasons than
one. AS a natter OF fact, I have tod
him 10 so and wait for me In your
studio. You Will pardon me II | take
your permission for granted, but am
anxious TO dispose OF Thomas now
and for all ! thought had succeeded
in doing so by stratagem but the old
mans love for cards defeated me. Be
lieve me when ! say that | am acting
for the best
Aisa sighed passionately. She was
sick al heart OF this ce9seless mys-
terry
Il promised 10 trust you. end | Will.
she replied Everything has been
very black against you from the first
you have not forgotten our original
meeting? Though you came here like
a thief in the night | trusted you.
And Why? Because you remind me in
some subtle fashion Of the man | used
10 love-"
Used TO love-" Braybrooke echoed.
Then you no longer care"
No, YOU are quite mistaken. My
heart remains true TO a memory And
yoL remind me more than ever OF Ron
aid BraybrOoke tonight Somehow you
look different Your eyes are ever so
mach clearer. and the expression OF
your features has grown mere refined.
| Heavens TO think that | should be
standing here like this discussing such
que stious at this hour in the morning.
And yet | have need OF your services.
When you have disposed OF old
Thomas. may have few words with
you?'
"A thousand. II you like, cried
Braybrooke. eagerly 1T IS the one
pleasure OF my life at present TO be
Of service TO you. All, II you only
knew what | am doing on your be-
half"
Braybrooke appeared as II about TO
say more. then checked himself sud
denly He would get rid of Thomas
without delay he intimated. after
which he would be ready for Aisa.
Very we'll she said II will go up
10 my room again and keep the door
open. When you are quite ready !
Will join YOU in the studio"
Braybrooke turned up the lights
and confronted the discounted
Thomas. who stood there doggedly be
fore him. The old man was still shak-
ing from his rude handling. Bray
brooke closed the door. it was some
little time before he began to speak.
So you recognized me" he said at
length You were always a great deal
cleyerer than your master Thomas.
He has no idea OF my identity, and
the same remark applies 10 Miss Le
troy You we're going to blurt out the
truth 20 her when | grasped you by
the throat just now. Knowing what
know about you YOU had best be
silent"
Il don't want 10 make any mis-
cniet." the old man muttered sullenly
We'll. | will give you every credit
for good Intentions BraybroOke
smiled. Il have the strongest pos
sible reasons for keeping my Identity
a secret tor the present Also, there
are strong reasons why your presence
in this housS can be dispensed with
10 the present Why didn't you 20 10
America. as arranged?
Because lost my money, Thomas
said. with his eyes fixed on the floor.
Il was robbed and ! was ashamed 10
confess IT, But | had 20 come back
al last and tell my master what had
happened / have been STAYING with
/ friends"
you miserable old liar Bray
/ brooke exclaimed You started gamb
/ ling. and YOU lost part of your moh-
ey that way Gradually you lost IL ali.
! You did not come here tonight with
the slightest Intention of seeing your
master. but 10 bully your wife out OF
some OF her hard-earned savings, so
/ that you could go back to your com
panions.
Old Thomas looked mp in confusion.
lie fastened to deny tile accusation.
but he could not meet the steady con
tempt In Braybrookes eyes.
Don't Try and deceive me. the lat
ter went on I'm going 10 give you d
few pounds. or. rather. / am going to
give You their equivalent In value.
Then YOU can go back 10 that house
M the WateTloorOad again and lose