The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-03
CContinued.)

father is all right,-And, oh, Ron nie, dear, he wants you-wants you badly, He has forgiven-forgotten- all the past And you will do the same, dear? An! I know you will.
 That's all right. responded Ron ald, much moved. "But-"
 "Oh, wait-I can't tell you all in minute, dear! The ruby is found ~Yes; the Desborough Ruby. the Giant Ruby" said vane. You re- member?" --N~
 "Yes, vest Of course! That stupid old thing? But that isn't very creadfui,' said Ronald.
 "No; but we've got the thief-the murderer" said Vane in low voice.
 And he is lying at the cottage hos pital, dying" continued Evelyn. And, Ronnie, We must go there first, even before we go home. Father is there' and MT. Lexham. The man has been lying unconscious for long long time; but he has recovered. and he wants to confess. He has been out of his mind; but he is sane. now.
 a.Very welI'' said Ronald. ''so that I see father at -ence.'. Presently ne said igraveIy, and with heightened colour: 'I've a surprise for you Eve lyn. I'm going to be. married!
 She exclaimed, and caught at him.
 ~Oh, Ronniet-Reall truly2 I'm so dehghtedt Tell me who. she is? Where is she?'''.ssss- ,. zs s1vz5
 He opened hisslips, but checked
 T think ri tell the gov'nor first.' he said -s,[l- s-s = a--s 5- - =
 She hugged him. z- -e1---@ z-A7
 "of course, He will like that That's just like you, Bonnie! Isn't ne good. Hary?,'-- s4
 -oh, perfect angel!" responded vane. instantly and emphatically.
 They drove to the inflrmaryi and Ronald saw his father standing at the door They grasped hands and look ed into each others eyes; and both knew that the past was indeed wiped out. that no shadow of it would dark en their future.
 I'm. glad you've come." said Sir Reginald, with the simple gravity Of the Eng1ishman, who is not so much ashamed of emotion as of showing it. .tIas Evelyn. told you the ruby is found ?1= The man who committed the crime-and what others. Cod knows.-is inside here. He is fail ing fast. Let us go in."
 They entered, and, as his eye fell upon the dying man. Ronald uttered cry of amazement.
 IT know him." he said in star tied whisper.
 The doctor held up his hand to sI- lence him. and beckoned them to the bedside. Raven was lying quite still, his face already grey with the touch of Deaths hand; his eyes wesc ciosed.-but presently he opened them: they all say that they were the eyes of a sane man; the madness that had shone in them had faded out; they were S1ILG UONs anu lIlCy "cIC Soiiil with the set calmness of the dying. Mr- Lexham sat close beside the bed. notebook in his hand. Sir Regin- ald, who was a magistrate, stood be- side him, with grave face and intent gaze.
 The mans lips moved, and present 1v he said, in answer to a question by Mir. Lexham:
 'Paolo Corvo. Yes; I was the low CT He stole her from me. I swore to be avenged went to sea-was wrecked They thought me dead. l kept dead I came to England, here, at Thorden, and waited my time. The devil helped me. I stole into the house"
 He stopped, raised himself with a sudden spasmodie strength, raised his hand and dealt blow on the air. The spectators of the action shud- cered
 He died without a cry; scarcely moved.=I-took the ruby-and the child. His child" Ronald bent for ward, a cry frozen on his lips. -'I was avenged,-avengedI"
 There was a pause, while he strug- sled fer breath; then he panted- on:
 Why did I come back to the mill :?'' A cunning look gleamed in his dim es.---.F.he maggot lies near the bone. I was safer there. No one thought of looking near at hand. Safe until that hound came.-Is he dead? Where is he?"- The doctor soothed him; and after moment the weary voice was heard again. 'The girl cara is SIT Mortinler's daughter. Have .yoa got that down? Now write my w4u. -Quicles I leave all to her all Why not I-wish to die a clean death, .:I resfore-restore- Write quickly She will be rieh-,"
 His mind is going again. whis- pel eu Sir5- Reginald: but Ronald snsoR his head -2 s-~7
 she win be rich, The treasure the -ueasure-Tricania. I--stoie it. They were stupid owls, those Engfishriesn. IL shall be hers. Have you written?,,'. -----..
 Mr., Lexhems held the paper be- fore tf,e< dlsines man. and. with an all