Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-05-20

NFpifkllt insisted oEdtHliEl!. NOW It,it
me, won't you, all that has been said
and done since you came here
IN.
Fear, superstitious fear, may derange
the most deliberate PLAN" reflected
Cronkite. Mrs. Springstead's light ref
erence to the immunity of the pearls
was unexpectedly confirmed by Mr..
BriscOw's translation of their design.
Fairness forbids fear would certainly be
reassuring to the owner. unless
Unless he was meditating, as she
was arrant injustice interposed the
Judge. But she persisted in it, Abe.
obstinately"
That is it. sir, obstinately That which
is done against the inner warnings Of
either judgment or fear is done obsti-
nately. After ii has been done then
the fear returns so redoubled that the
person affected by it becomes an ally
of its threat"
'|You are too abstruse for me. Abe"
Not if you will take the trouble to
recall the instances where superstition
has been reinforced and verified by the
acts of the person most affected by it,
Remember, Mrs. Springstead is a very
old woman wonderfully preserved be-
cause living in state of equilibrium.
The loss of the pearls, following so soon
upon the unfair disposition of her prop
erty may have strangely upset this equi-
librium.
''Of course it is theory, but not empty
theory. One thing is sure; 1t was Mrs
Springstead or her double whom / saw.
She replaced the lost pearl She put the
girde back in the safe where it viii stay,
never fear"
Stop right there. Abe" again inter
rupted the judge sharply. There is one
thing there are two things, | must say.
to take the less important tirst-why are
you SO confident that the pearls Will stay
in the safe from which they We're once
filched?"
Because sir. / changed the combina-
| ton after Mrs Springstead had gone
oh, ah, wise precautlon, but not
half so vital matter as may rest on
your chance reference to her double
Don't you see? Don't you see? The
thief is disappearing in her likeness
the better to avoid suspicion.
Mrs. Springstead saw this other self
Don't you remember her frenzied words
to me that Branch and Miss Image
would make it appear that she had stolen
the pearls, that she had killed herself?
For heavens sake, what was that Abe?
Come, man. come! There was deadly
portent in such Il scream
As hurriedly as the judge and his
man descended, they found panic
stricken gathering of the guests in the
central hall below. Mr.. Briscow alone
had the composure to explain the little
! that was known to them.
1T came from Mrs. Springstead's
| rooms" he said. Il tried in vain to
| find either Miss Image or old Anne The
other servants refused to go. You had
best investigate at once while l call the
physician and what other help may be
needed. | know some one who should
be here, though | don't like to inter
fere.'
1t was strange scene that met the
judge and Cronkite as they unceremoni-
ously burst into the private sitting room
Miss Image was tendery supporting and
soothing Mrs Springstead on the sofa
In front of the locked safe lay the mo-
tionless form of what in dress and gem
eral guise seemed Mrs. Springsteads see
ond self.
III not be fooled again" muttesed
| Cronkite, raising the lifeless form and
! intently studying signs less apparent
/ than those of its imposture
1T is old Anne. the maid" he ex-
planned. Il might have reckoned on the
! driving force of pent up envy and av-
| arice. She is dead. by this knife in
| her own hand, which she had first turned
| upon another. There are shreds cling
! ing to the blade that never came from
! her waist-the very texture of the wrap
| per Mrs. Springstead is now wearing.
Old Anne must have come back to
| 't''NN tliN smut iAplIi (Ht Ndlt, ST. us
appointment and rage at finding she
could not open the door must have
| turned her brain. already perhaps dsor-
! dered. She must have sprung at her mis-
! treSS, at that moment entering Had ii
| not been for the courage and devotion of
! Miss knage - there is the imprint of
| slim, firm fingers on old Anne's arm
Ca, let me go on" cried Mrs Spring
| stead. He is exact. wonderfully exact.
| for one of whom you spoke so sighting
| ly, Judge: but let me 20 on to do Jus
] tice, scant justice. to woman whom |
have loved even while wronging her.
Miss knage saved my life. she tore
| that frenzied wretch from me. More,
| still more. she restored my reason No
wonder they thought | had brain fever
! | was distraught by this vision of my
self. | saw once, twice. | feared that |
! had stolen the pearls myself feared
! oh. | don't know what incredible. awful
| things.
''Why had l not done fairness. Judge
! fairness forbids fear. But / will. | will
at once Harry shall have his rights: my
| faithful companion, my savior, shall
! have her just recompenSe-all would be
slight Let those parasites down stairs
hear it too"
mo. no. protested Miss Knage, her
straining hands over her heart Il am
not so hlameless as you think. | knew
] y y
| tened not on my own account, believe
me, | was so anxious for Harry Then
| / was resolved that at least he should
| have the pearls
Il went for them in the dead of night,
but some one passed me in the hall with
the girdle in her hands. l thought it was
you. dear madam. | thought so the more
when you sent word that you had taken
them.
Then, when you were i'll and would
not see me, my anger vanished /
watched and waited without There were
no signs of old Anne, | feared you were
/ alone | ventured in"
ITO remain forever in my heart. my
| dearest friend and daughter" cried Mrs
! Springstead. See darling, who are com
| inG-our own dear Harry, ushered in by
! that discreet Mr.. Briscow.
Judge, must make my will at once.
| my last viii, believe Lac. Your facto-
/ tum and our Indian savant shall be the
witnesses, II won't be long-everything
TO my children here; and the sooner they
marry and enjoy il the better for them
and for me New York Sun