The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-16
CHAPTER XXX.
q eaf From the Past,

come az a surprise TO him 10 find that
John Stern was In any way connected
with OBricn. but then Stern was TO
be trusted, AS the detective felt sure.
lie had been OF considerable service
In the past and was likely 10 be 50
.again. sand il would be easy on the
following morning 10 tax Stern with
lis visit 20 OBrien's and get from him
the reason which he had Tor calling
i'm the Waterlooroad. Burles sleepiiy
made up his mind to the candid
course. lie went of softly, leaving
the two men alone together he wouh
have been little surprised, perhaps,
had he, after all, decided 10 stay and
listen.
John Stern threw himself down in 1
chair and gazed AT his companion
Then he burst into a bitter laugh, a
laugh OF self-contempt and dislike.
We'll, this is merry meeting he
said. Dennis. what would You nave
said TO anybody who had soretold this
two years ago?'
Il should have put him aside for "A
liar, o BTien said. And 50 YOU are
not dead after all. Ronald The whole
thing was told me in SO concentrated
a way that could not but believe that
you had persisted at sea
so did for all practical purposes,
Stern rejoined. Young WanleSs muir
derous attempt on my life was real
enough i'm all conscience went over
the side and there. 10 all intents, was
rs end OF me believe the whole
thing was arranged by your late Wis
itor"
Whom do you mean by late via
itor,' asked O'Brien uneasily.
Why ask the question? LET us be
perfectly candid. Up 10 the present il
has suited my humor 10 call myself
John Stern. | am the poor, miserable
outcast, Ronald Braybrooke, but
have buried my proper name till can
decentiy dig 1t up again. am going
10 tell You why presently But don't
try and pretend that Lady Altamont
has not been here with you quite late
~. for saw YOU putting her into n
cab. Dennis, would you like TO be-
come an honest, God-fearing man
again ."
/ The last question was asked almost
/ fercely The energy OF IL caused
( o Brien 20 stare at his companion. His
( lips tWitched in an uneasy way
/ Il see YOU are in earnest, he said
/ presently. We were always good
friends, Ronald, We had very few
| secrets from one another II is all
4 very well 20 he cynical and pretend
| that there is no goodness in the world
but deep down in our hearts we know
j better. would give five years OF my
I life TO find my feet on the pedestal
again
The speaker spoke in tones of quiv-
/ Cring sincerity. He meant every word
I that he said. He was quite differen-
from the cynical scoundrel who had
! been entertaining Lady Altamont
little time before, Then ne laughed
/ bitterly.
There" he said II have made
my confession. | never expected TO
speak like that TO soul again, but
I / know YOU so well and there is
look in your eyes that draws me on.
Rut il is all 10 no purpose. Ronald
u Is TOO late for both o. rs. The wo-
man | loved threw me over for another
three weeks ago and | let the fact
spoil my whole life. She is dead now.
ana her husband is dead. too. and
Lave promised 10 look after the child
she is dear little girl. and she has
set round my heart in ler pretty way.
and so that she can nave all she
wants am compelled 10 live my dis
graceful life. Otherwise ! should have
put a pistol TO my head h,a Years ago.
Bat why RAKE tp th tniags,'
Il am not chcdFlv Sentimental I
Braybrooke said 1T Is no, merely 10 /!
play a shady part that ! have called .
myself John Stern Do You see any /
difference i'm me Dennis"
We'll. yes. O'Brien said. after a /
critical examination OF his companion /
10. Your dress Is very sccdy. and +
you bear unmistakable signs Of having (
come down in the world but YOU no .
longer look like the dissipated wrec', .
u ar YOU were when last | saw YOU " +
you wee properly dressed. and hal /
your hS and mOustaChe trimmed you !
vuuld re- anywhere for gentleman !
" hat / mean lS. Jlr n mas cleared. {
your eyes are hIi hit and wholesome !
should say tina, you had net touched (,
anything intoxicating for some days
Il have given II up entirely Bray |
.,ooka exclaimed Never again does !
o drop on intoxicating liquor pass nv
lp as long as live And this is all =
Ter girls sake
You don't mean, O'Brien Cried.
You don't really say that the child
you used TO '
The child has grown into a lovely
woman. Dennis saw her quite re-
Gently foI the first time for over three
years II was a dramatic and entireI;
unexpected meeting, bur. thank God.
she did not recognize ne But the /
name Of Ronald Braybrooke was men.
toned, and words passed That proved (
to ne that Ailsa LEROY was still
faithful 20 the memory of The gallant
lad she used 10 know. She still loves /
the Ronald Bray Of three years
ago. Heavens. | seem TO have lived
century in torment since then"
O BrIyu nodded in sympathy He
was more moved than he cared to
admit
Go on old fellow" he said THE
whole story Will do me good
~ am certain II will. Dennis I'll
was after ! was supposed &C. he lost ar
sea / had my own good reasons for /
permitting my death To- DC taken for /
siantcd. even az that moment had |
vague idea OF leading a good life But /
dorbt if IL would have come TO any
thing had not gone 20 No. Is Vernon
terrace than night
THE residence OF your guide, phil (
csuphrr aud friend, Archibald Cot
Vile is it not?'
The same. But Archibald Colvilie /
has been no friend OF mine: on the ]