Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-04

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woods face her eyes. clear. fearless
truthful. II never was given to un
derstand that there was anybody whit
might have inherited other than my
SELF" she declared.
81 see."
Last week received letter. signed
with my fathers name, begging me Il
appoint an interview with him In Lon
don. l did so-guess how gladly!
was alone in the world, and he nay
father, whom l had never thought to
see. 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 daughters
love and care. He told me that he
had made fortune In America and
was amply able to provide for US both
AS for my inheritance, he persuaded
me that it was by right the property
of 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 Bur
goyne's will and convinced me that l
had no real right to the property.
After all, he was my father. agreed.
could not bear the thought Of wrong
Ing anybody. was to give up every
thing but my mothers jewels. 1t
seems-my father said-I don't-I can't
believe 1t now
She choked out little. dry sob. 1t
was some time before she seemed able
to continue.
81 was told that my great-uncle's
collection Of jewels had been my moth
er's property. He had in life pas
sion for collecting jewels, and It had
been his whim to carry them with him
wherever he went. When he died In
Frognall street they were in the safe
by the head of his bed. I, in my grief,
at first forgot them and then after
ward carelessly put of 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
ling. This Is what I was told and be-
lieved, you understand.
"That night Mrs. Hallam was dining
at another table at Pless, It seems.
I did not then know her. When leav-
Ing she put a note on our table by my
fathers elbow. was astonished be-
yond words. He seemed much agi-
tated, 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 jew
els and meet him at Mrs. Hallam's
later. wasn't altogether fool. for
began dimly to suspect then that
something was wrong, but I was
fool, for l consented to do as he de-
sired. You understand-you know
81 do, indeed" replied Kirkwood
grlmly. "I understand lot Of things
now that I didn't FIVE minutes ago.
Please let me think"
But the time he took for delibera-
ton was short. He had hoped to find
way to spare her by sparing Calen-
dar, but momentarily he was becom-
ing more impressed with the futility
of dealing with her save in terms OF
candor-merciful, though they might
seem harsh.
81 must tell you," he said, 'that you
have been outrageously misled, swim
died and deceived. l have heard from
your fathers own lips that Mrs. Hal
lam was to pay him $4,000 for keep
ing you out Of England and losing you
your inheritance. I'm inclined to Ques.
ton, furthermore, the assertaion that
these jewels were your mothers
Frederick Hallam was the man who
followed you into the Frognall street
house and attacked me on the stairs.
Mrs. Hallam admits that he went
there to get the jewels. But he didn't
want anybody to know It,"
"But that doesn't prove"-
"Just a minute" Rapidly and con-
cisely Kirkwood recounted the events
wherein he had played a part subse-
quent to the adventure Of Bermondsey
Old Stairs. He was guilty Of but one
evasion. On one point only did he
slur the truth. He conceived 1t his
honorable duty to keep the girl In ig-
norance of his straitened circum-
stances. She was not to be distressed
by knowledge of his distress. nor could
he tolerate the suggestion Of seeming
to play for her sympathy. 1t was nee
essary. then. to invent motive to ex-
cuse his return to No. 0 Frognall street.
believe lie chose to exaggerate the IN
.uisitiveness Of his nature and threw
in for good measure desire to re-