The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1910-11-11
CHAPTER xxx.
The Bitter End.

Christmas broke cold and gloomy
over Bromley Manor. Two days had
elapsed since the earls departure,
and he had not returned, nor had his
mother arrived on her expected visit.
Dare Broughton was down early
on Christmas morning.
"Ugh!" he said to himself, with
shiver. "how cherries and misera-
ble!",
He made his way to Gervais' study
to read through his letters and
papers, but started back with aston
ishment when he entered and saw
man seated in the armchair, his face
bowed on his folded arms that rested
on the table.
"Derriman, my dear old fellow,
why, how did you come? L"
Gervais lifted his face. Such a
face-gaunt, worn, aged; and Dare
saw that, his bright brown hair was
streaked with lines of gray and white.
turned so by the anguish he had en-
dured.
Dare" he said. brokenly; his
voice sounded hollow and faint, and
he seemed to cling to his friends
hand that grasped his so firmly.
1t would be impossible to describe
Dare Broughton's pain at sight of
this mans suffering; mist rose be-
fore his eyes, and a lump In his
throat.
"Is it so bad, old fellow" he NUT
tered, huskily.
"It is worse than DEATH Gervais
answered, as he drew his hand away
and turned to the fire. Don't ask
me to say more, Broughton. To
speak Of it is to plunge knife into
my heart. There is such shame
such bitter shame!"
An angry exclamation broke from
Dare's lips against Dorothy, but Ger.
vais checked it.
"She is my wife still-we must not
forget til that. hkat.",--.-----.~-- at
There was a pause between shhem
for moment.
And this is Christmas Day!" Ger.
vais broke the silence. THE merry,
happy, glad time I had pictured in
my mind! All, well. Thank God
for His mercy in binding our eyes
to the trials in store for us! Had I
guessed this back in the summer !
should have destroyed myself: but
now-I have duty to perform
which, despite my broken heart and
life, I will do. with heavens help"
He passed his hand over his brow,
then went on quietly and sadly: Il
am going to ask you to leave us to.
day. Dare; it sounds inhospitable, but
you will understand my motive, /
know. Miss Leslie, too"-Gervais'
voice trembled slightly-"she must
go"
"Gervais," Dare broke out hurried-
ly, II must speak. You are judging
her wrongly! She"
II know all. l overheard her
words the other day. Besides-be-
sides, Dare, I have had most horribly
conclusive proof of her innocence
and generosity and-another's guilt"
Dare stretched out his hand again
in mute sympathy: then he thought
of Enid.
where will she go? Has she
other relations? She is so young to
be alone"
"She will go to my mother" the
earl said, with deep sigh. ~ have
made all arrangements and only need
her consent"
You have seen your mother7"
Dare said, inVoluntarily.
Geryais nodded his head sadly.
"Yes. I have seen her."
And Dare knew that he had broken
part Of the truth. If not all, to the
loving, noble woman who was to him
the embodiment of everything good
and pure.
Neither man spoke again till Ger
vais, waking from his miserable
thoughts, said:
Il am going to ask Miss Leslie to
speak to me. Will you escort her
into town? My mother is staying at
Cadogan Place, and expects you both
this afternoon"
Il will do anything you wish"
Dare hesitated moment, and then
said, with deep affection: "And you,
Gervais, what Of you?"
u shall either remain here OF SO