The Detroit times., 1910-04-20
CHAPTER <H%lil.
A Compile atom.

IN the arm llShl AIS" ""'N"S y
swaying bodies AS they st'ugsitu 10
and fro With spasm OF terror al me-
hcHrt. She could see mat Tie Han
she knew as John stern WAS III deau'S
earnest. that he was prepared 10 70
any length 10 prevent Thomas from
altering the words which had risen 10
his lips.
But Alsa checked the cry that strug-
cred Tor utterance. She could no1 re-
sist the vague feeling that here was
man who was fighting her battle ioi
her. And again she was not pima
10 the knowledge that the presence OF
Thomas al this particular moment
was less Than a catastrophe II only
ne succeeded In reaching his wife
ledioom goddess only knows the
mischief that he might accomplish.
An these things flashed through
Ailsas mind and brought Ter courage
back 10 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 10 struggle and lay on the
mat dazed and frightened He was
being paid back in some OF mis- own
coin. Aisa thought, not without satls-
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 KIM
OF way and nodded humbly enough. Il
was quite evident that all the hght
lad been knocked out Of him The
Younger man sternly pointed up the
stairs. and Thomas disappeared up
them discreetly.
But this is folly. Ai!sa protested
You are actually bringing about the
very thing that you are most anxious
10 avoid. II Thomas sees his wife
Thomas is going to do nothing ot
the kind Braybrooke painted.
think | have succeeded in Thoroughly
subduing Thomas. lie is an inveter-
ate old bully. and | have treated him
quite IN the proper way. tie is MralI
of me now for more reasons than
one As matter OF fact have told
him to 20 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
Ailsa sighed passionately She was
sick al heart OF this ceaSeless 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
much clearer. and the expression or
your features has grown mere refined.
I Heavens. TO think that should be
standing here like this discussing such
questions at this hour in the morning
+ And vet | have need OF your services,
/ When YOU have disposed OF old
/ Thomas. may have d few words with
/ you
"A thousand II you Ike" cried
/ Braybrooke eagerly 1t IS the one
pleasure OF my life at present 10 be
OF service TO you. All. II YOU only
knew what | am doing on your be
/ half"
Braybrooke appeared as II about 10
say more. then checked himself sud
denly. He would get rid OF Thomas
( without delay he intimated after
which he would be ready for Ailsa.
Very Well she said Il will go up
/ 70 my room again and keep the door
open When you aR quite ready !
will join you in the studio.
J Brayhrooke 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
I brooke closed the door: it was some
little time before he began TO speak.