The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-20
NUMBER THIRTEEN
A Powerful Serial Story.
BY F. M. WHITE.
Moth" The Weight Of


years ago, when | was an upright,
honest lad with all the world before
me ! did not know then | had guar
dian who hated me- and who had long
before made up his mind 10 bring me
! TO ruin. He very nearly accomplished
| his purpose, but not quite. There was
only the matter OF some inch or 81
between me and the utter destruction
OF my soul. But that Inch sutficed 10
save me, 10 save ME IN TINS very
room. But that is a sacred matter that
does not concern you in the least. All
you have 10 know is that your efforts
and the efforts OF your master have
| failed But during all the time that
N Was part OF your business TO lure
na- eH- ~ destruction eea- I'D pat- keep
clear of crime yourself Shall recall
one or two OF these instances TO your
mind. Thomas? Suppose that | recall
them TO the police, You know per-
fectly well that can land YOU in a
Jail IL | like AS sure as you stand
in my way III do II. You may make
up your mind quite easy on that score.
! Thomas
What 40 yon require me 10 DO.
oI Aut NlN man dohtu AuHiOlg.
TO do nothing. To go back from
whence you came. or anywhere else
you choose, to be discreet and silent
anG not 10 show your face here again
lt!ll | send for you. I'll give you the
ring-your master has one exactly like
IL. You can pawn it for eco. DO as /
tell you. and you ~wili be quite safe.
The old man muttered something
under his reath as he held out a
shaking hand for the ring. He APP
peared To be quite cowed and broken
DOWN for the moment.
Very we'll. sir he said II didn't
suppose that | should ever see you
| t. gain. didn't suppose that you would
become so clever man, Mr. Ronald.
| But it's all as you say. Me and the
| old man lid our best 10 ruin you be-
tween us. And now you've come into
! o bie fortune"
! Hush" Ronald said sternly. "You
are absolutely mistaken Ronald
! Braybrooke is dead Whether or not
he will ever come 10 life again depends
on circumstances But the man We
are LOW speaking of is at the bottom
OF the North sea and before he per-
ished he left Will bequeathing all he
had 10 VI LIS Ailsa LEROY That will
was duly signed end witnessed, and Is
in the possession of respectable firm
OF solicitors. There will be no chance
Of my mad guardian playing any or
his tricks on Miss LEROY. But under.
stand fr,nly tina. Ronald Braybrooke
, is dead II YOU bring him 10 life again
| he is pretty certain TO reveal some or
your past episodes with very unpleas-
ant consequences Now you can go.
! The old man crept out OF the room
and down the stairs, closing the front
door carefully behind him. A minute
afterwards and Ailsa entered the
room. She wanted 10 have good look
at the features OF her visitor now. but
/ he kept his face absolutely in the
shadow
The old man has sone?" she asked.
Yes. he has gone quietly enough.
You need not fear his return"
IL am glad Of that Ailsa said. with
a sigh OF relief "Old Susan heard the
noise and came out to see what had
happened | was bound TO tell her.
And she has been shaking with fear
ever since Wha' shall tell herr"
! DtHipiN tCti itl Alldi uOiildS Has
gone. Say he will not come back. tina.
/ Ne dare NOT come back without my per-
mission. And in the circumstances.
that is not likely TO be granted That
wicked old rascal Is absolutely in my
! power"
/ IT Is a great relief to know this. +"
Ailsa murmured But | am getting
so sick and tired of all these myster.
les Mr.. Stern. Is it actually true
( that that poor woman upstairs is the
wife of Archibald Colville? Tell me
/ the story"
! Il am afraid that cannot :ell you
( the story, for the simple reason thai
do not know it," Ronald replied. But
all the facts are In the possession o.
odd Susan, and she may tell you. IL
is a sad business altogether. Is she
any better
The dcctor seems 10 think so.
Ailsa explained. lie says her mag.
nifcent constitution Is all In her favor
She seems TO have something on her
rlinc tina, causes her 10 ramble d
great deal. She is always talking