The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-19
NUMBER THIRTEEN
A Powerful New Serial Story.
BY F. M. WHITE.
THE WEIGHT OF
he &c,

/
WINGED that Ronald Braybrooke Is
really dead. There is a way. but stop.
| have another idea. Write the facts
shortly. and on sheet OF notepaper.
and sign them. Have you any paper
ana pen here. Ailsa?"
stern gayea short quick laugh that
sounded Ike derision. II there was q
trap here he saw IL quite plainly. Ailsa
SHOOK her head-there was nothing Of
the kind in the studio.
VIII fetch everything necessary
from my ROOM" muttered Colville.
Il don't think our friend is likely TO
run away or do any harm 10 you.
Ailsa"
Stern laughed In his quick derisivs
| way Something seemed 10 amuse him
scornfully. q
Il am not going To run away" he
said between his teeth. and | am not
In the least likely to do any harm 10
the young lady. Besides. she was dis
posed 10 be fond of man whom |
liked. A man who might have done
we'll had he had Il better chance. Get
your writing paper. old fox"
Colville slipped out OF the room
quietly. There was painful silence
| for a moment.
Are you concealing something from
me-" Ailsa asked. The whole thing
is SO amazing that have not recov-
cred from my surprise yet. Ii Is
amazing that | should have told you.
told anybody. that | cared for Ronald
Braybrooke. But he was so hand
some and so noble. he was the only
young man | ever knew in my quiet
vicarage home. IL was only q girlsh
a hnf uh \ hot
was dead. felt that II was more than
dream. And told you because !
have a curious fancy that you were
once good man. and that all good
feelings are not yet dead in you Did
you care for Ronald"
II was at once his greatest friend
and his greatest enemy. And because
my good feelings are not dead, and
because the sound OF your voice and
your simple faith have brought back
many things TO me long forgotten.
am making tremendous sacrifice. TX
You only knew the sacrifice | am max
ing tonight, you would pity me and be
sorry for me. | want you 10 believe
this as | never wanted anybody TO
believe anything in the world before"
There was ring OF passionate sim
cerity in the speakers voice that
: touched Ailsa.
IL believe YOU" she said. with
sudden impulse. do you know YOU
have almost caught poor Ronald's
trick of voice II | may inquire the
nature OF the sacrifice"
NO. do not want to speak CURLY.
but | cannot give you the slightest
indication OF it, That would spoil
everything. Some day. perhaps |
may tell you more fully | have been
bad man. but | am not going TO be
a bad man in future. And you are
responsible for che change. But was
almost forgetting. You guess or you
overheard something OF my errand.
implore YOU TO say nothing what
ever about 1t TO your guardian. There
are reasons why-pressing reasons
why"
Stems voice died in murmur as
Colville's shutting feet were heard
again. He had an alert and business
air as he returned to the room. and
the cynical dry smile was still on
his lips. He cleared table Of mass
OF artistic litter, and placed pen and
ink and notepaper thereon Then he
drew a chair M to the table
What want you TO do Is simple"
he explained. Please write the bald
focts of Ronald Braybrooke's death on
half sheet OF notepaper and sign 1t.
Ny ward shall witness the document.
And after that is done ! will not
seek to detain you. A little more
light"
Not on my account" Stern said
hastily Since my accident my eyes
are not as they were and any strong
light affects them. All you want.
suppose. is the name OF the smack
and the owner, the date OF the catas-
trophe. and just how it happened"
Colville nodded in the same dry
way. He looked like some criminal
awyer who has just seen his witness
with his head In the trap. But the
smile faded. and the Irritation deep
ened on his face as Stern took up the
pen in his left hand.
why do you do that" he asked
sharply you are not necessarily LETT
handed. | could see that by the way
you arranged the paper on the table"
(Which proves nothing" Stern said
coolly MY right hand has suffered
also. so that for the present ! am
compelled to use my left. Won't you
sit down--it Is rather long process.
Colville sat down. biting his thin
III "a
Stern crumpled up one sheet OF pa
per after ten minutes and thrust 1t In
his pocket. The next effort was more
successful, and the sheet was handed
to Colville.
Eyes. IL seems all right" he said.
speaking with the air OF one who dis
guises his vexation. Il don't think
need detain yCtI any longer. Perhaps
YOU had better append your address.
and then my ward may sign IL.
Thanks"
with n gesture Stern motioned Col
vile to the door As the latter passed
ont of the studio Stern took the
crumpled paper from his pocket and
handed IL to Ailsa. She covered II
with her hand very quickly, she clos
ed the door on the others. then she
opened the paper.
81 had 10 trick the old man., IL
said. There was no time to tell you.
You have been very good 10 me to-
night. and you will never regret 1t.
BE discreet and silent; never let Mr..
Colyille know why | came and what
II was looking for behind the panels
OF your studio That must be the
secret between us. have feeling
that we shall meet again. And until
we do SC have no curiosity as TO what
was wrong with old Susan tonight.