The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-05-05

chum and his qualms Of conscience.
He had been overjoyed on reaching the
hotel at the fact that he would be able
to tell Sir Allen that he had made
three thousand pounds for him in one
deal. Now he could easily say that
1t was two thousand, and so make up
the missing money, and he would be
willing to give up his own profit In or
der to save his friend h had more
than once risked his own life for Ger
rard. The none difficulty could De
overcome. but conscience?-
Times up" said Braxton irritably.
Going to do IT."
AT that moment the door of the smok-
ing room was opened by O boy who
looked In to see II a certain guest was
there. Gerard, looking through the
open door over h boys head, started
as he saw Sir Aliens form pass the
opening. By his side was a woman
of thirty. tall M graceful. who turned
her head slightly toward the open door
as h passed. The vision of that face
Rraxton's question with an emphatic
mo-"
That settles it," said Braxton de-
cistvely. He has not seen Sir Allen
and his wife go by the door. It'll go
and find h happy pair. INC 1t will
also interest Sir Allen to learn that
Lady Royce has a husband still liv-
ing!"-
He was gone with that parting shot.
AS soon as he could collect himself.
Gerard made his way to the room in
dtcated as Sir MEMS. He met Brax-
ton In the corridor. They reached the
door almost at the some moment.
II forbid you to go in!" shouted Ger
rard. forgetting himself.
IT shall!" asserted Braxton.
He made as IL to rap at the door,
but Gerard interviewed and in an in
slant the two men We're engaged in a
tussle outside the room door. In the
struggle they fell against the door.
which a few seconds later was opened
by Sir Allan Royce.
For heavens sake!" he cried hoarse-
ly. Fetch n doctor! My wife is Ill
n I fear her heart is weak"
He was unmindful Of the fact that
the men he addressed were struggling
together: his w trouble absorbed him.
Gerard and Braxton loosed their grasp
on n another and hurriedly followed
Sir Allen through the room into the
e apartment. where Lady Royce lay
told lis w story to Gerard.
Tbs doctor was summoned, but he
could simply confirm the opinion al
rS'dy formed by Gerard. Lady Royce
Wos having succumbed to a hear
seizure. ~
The grief Of the b~ereaved husband
was terrible to witness: he flung him-
self Oh his knees by the side Of the
bed or which they had laid he body
a3d kissed the cold hand again and
again.
"It is . true! 1t cannot be-" he
moaned. Come back to me. my dar-
ling! Do not leave me- alone, without
thr. love of a fellow creature. 1 cannot
I've without you. my wife!" His voice
shook with sobs and his whole body
appeared TO Dc racked with pain.
Thu sight was too much for Gerrard:
he COULD not endure To behold the grief
OF his cnlv friend. He could do Moth
left Sir Allen alone in his sorrow.
In the nall downstairs he encountered
RraNton. II was limos with an air
of triumph that he spoke to the black
mailer.
"Braxton. you are a big s%coundrel,
and it refreshes me to tell you so! But
YOU AVE missed your game this time!"
How is that?" sneered Braxton.
The woman is dead. so you can do
nothing. and YOU must find another VIC
tim for the exercise OF your wits!'
cried Gerard.
Core in here" said Braxton quiet
". leading h way into a small waiting
room, which was empty. Now, what
does it matter II the woman is dead?
The information is true. so it remains
good all h time. If the facts become
known 1t will be a terrible scandal,
very nearly as bad-aye. perhaps even
worse-for Royce. Remember him as
VIC saw him Just now. Don't you think
he would pay two thousand pounds
willingly in order that the truth should
not be made known?"
you brute!' cried Gerard, amazed
at the callous villainy of the man.
"Come, hard words IN mend mat
tiers. I want two thousand pounds. and
for that I will hand over to you, or
anyone else. the proofs I have here and
about the previous history Of Lady
Royce He watched Gerrard's face
and could divine what was going on in
his mind. Well. is 1t a bargain? Viii
you complete this transaction on your
own account, for the sake of your
friend?"
Yes. I'll do it!" said Gerard. after
a pause. Come with me and I will
arrange 1t"
They left the hotel for Gerrard's lodg-
ings. He had resolved to sacrifice his
money and his sense of truth in order
the facts would crush Royce; the blow
was hard enough for him to bear as 1t
was, but to learn all the truth would
probably kill MN. The transaction was
completed: Gerard handed W the
one thousand belonging to himself. and
| one CROuS1nQ OIL the money lie nelO 1OF
Sir Allen, n he received the proofs,
which he at once destroyed.
AS Gerard sat alone in his small sit
ting room that night he turned it all
over In his mind, and found h best
explanation for the tragically sudden
death of Lady Royce. h had origin
ally intended to dupe Sir Allen and
leave him, after having obtained pos
session Of everything of value which it
was possible for her to get into her pos
session. But hts great love for her
made the execution of the plot almost
impossible. She learned tc love him
and she yearned to stay with him. but
she dreaded discovery. Thus, torn by
conflicting statements. she had lived
through the last few days in a state
Of the greatest mental anxiety; every
day she was preparing to fly with her
booty and every day she was waverins
and putting of the moment of flight
Gerard heard from Sir Allen that his
wife had become strangely excited after
passing through the hall Of h hotel