The Detroit times., 1910-02-19

shortly, and on a sheet of notepaper,
ana sign them. Have you any paper
and pen here. Ailsa?"
stern gavea short quick laugh that
sounded like derision. II there was u
trap here he saw IL quite plainly. Ailsa
SHOOK her head-<here was nothing OF
the KIND in the studio.
Il VIII fetch everything necessary
from my ROOM" muttered Colville
i don't think our friend is likely To
run away or do any harm To you,
Ailsa."
Stern laughed in his quick derisive
way. Something seemed to amuse him
scornfully.
am not going TO run away" he
said between his teeth. and | am not
In the least likely TO do any harm to
the young lady. Besides. she was dis
posed 10 be fond OF man whom |
liked. A man who might have done
well had he had 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
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
yicarage home. IL was only a girlish
dream. but when | knew that Ronold
was dead, felt that il was more than
a 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 a tremendous sacrifice. II
you only knew the sacrifice am max
ing tonight. you would pity me and be
sorry for me. | want you TO believes
this as | never wanted anybody 10
believe anything in the world before. ="
There was ring OF passionate sin.
cerity in the speakers voice that
touched Ailsa.
II 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
bad man in future. And you are
responsible for the change. But | was
, almost forgetting. You guess or you
overheard something OF my errand.
implore YOU TO say nothing what
ever about Il TO your guardian. There
are reasons why-pressng reasons
why"
Storms voice died In murmnr 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 ne
drew a chair up 10 the table.
What | want you TO do is simple.
he explained. Please write the bald
fects OF Ronald Braybrooke's death on
half a sheet OF notepaper and sign II.
NV ward shall witness the document.
And after that Is done | Will not
seek TO detain you little more
light"
Not on my account" Stern said
hastily. Since my accident my eyes
are not az 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 1t happened?
Colville nodded in the same dry
way. He looked like some criminal
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 lert-
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 IL rather a long process
Colyille sat down. biting his thin
lips. II was tedious process. and
stern crumpled up one sheet or pa
per after ten minutes and thrust II In
his pocket. The next effort was more
successful. and the sheet was handed
TO Colville.
YES. IL seems all right" he said,
speaking with the air OF one who dis
guises his vexation. Il don't think
need detaln you any longer. Perhaps
YOU had better append your address.
and then my ward may sign 1t.
Thanks"
With a gesture Stern motioned Col
VILE to the door. AS the latter passed
out 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.
II had to trick the old man." II
said. There was no time TO tell you
You have been very good TO me to-
night. and YOU will never regret II.
Re discreet and silent: never let Mr.
Colyille know why | came and what
/ was looking for behind the panels
NJ vour studio That must be the
secret between us. I have feeling
that we shall meet again. And until
we do SC have no curiosity as TO what
was wrong with old Susan tonight.
Never let her know that you suspect
cd or knew anything. And God bless
Won for good and true woman. who