The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-11-22
Germaine started. She was deathly

Germaine started. She was deathly
pale.
Again the voice was heard. but
much nearer:
Lilly! Lily! Why have you done
this?"
Germaine was shaking so thought
she would drop. Then she cried:
Forgive me! Forgive me, Ger
maine! l promise to atone!"
Boissier jumped up to go toward
her. seized his wrist, and whis-
pered in his ear:
81 am not Martin; my name is Cor
on. If you make move or utter a
sound, you are LOST"
The seance broke up in state OF
excitement Xavier conducted the half
fainting Germaine to the drawing
room.
went to her and said:
"Mademoiselle, suppose you would
like to speak to us now?"
yes" she replied; "call your friend
Xavier; but not Boissier."
She shuddered as she mentioned the
name
l returned to the dining-room.
Professor" I said, keep close to
that fellow Boissier till come back.
If he tries any nonsense clap the
handouts on him." sar
"I'll look after him, sir" laughed the
professor.
Germaine was sitting in an easy
chair, with her eyes closed, the while
Xavier walked about excitedly.
What does it all"
"Hush!" l Interrupted him. "You
will hear the truth now
81 have deceived you! Forgive
mel"
Suddenly Germaine went on her
knees before Xavier. and seizing one
of his hands, exclaimed:
Reckoning Xavier to remain silent,
1 raised the girl from the floor, and
said
Whom is he to forgive! Is it Ger
maine, or"
NO." she shrieked in paroxysm of
grief Don't speak, will tell every
thing!" ~.
And in broken sentences, mingled
with sobs, she poured out her story:
my name is Lily Bradley, and l am
the daughter of the farmers who took
charge of Germaine when her parents
died. My father and mother were
very good to her; but Germaine was
sickly, and the doctor said she could
fh4 lot
of M. F. in Toulouse, proposing to
adopt his niece; and my parents, be-
ing poor, decided to let me take her
place. l begged them not to do this;
but l was only thirteen, and they
pressed me so hard that l consented.
Two years later Germaine died, and"
Your parents committed second
fraud by burying her under your
name" l said.
How on earth, Goron, do you"
Keep quiet, Xavier. Please go on,
Miss Lily"
Some time after that my parents
died, too, when one day received a
visit from that man, Boissier. My ia
Their knew him, and l remember his
saying the fellow was a scoundrel.
Somehow Boissier had got hold of the
secret, and he threatened to denounce
me unless 1 consented to assist him in
plot.
"He had become intimate with NJ.
Xavier; and the plan was that should
marry NJ. Xavier, and afterward pay
Boissier large sum Of money. He
| is RICH he said, and | want some Of
his money If NJ. Xavier had not
gone in for spiritualism, this conspir-
acy would never have been started.
Several times have felt tempted to
write him an anonymous letter warn
ing him against the plot; but BOLSTER
terrorized me, and | dared not risk It.
l have also"
She stopped and an expression Of
intense pain came over her face.
l saw she was really I'll; and as, for
several reasons l did not want her to
go back to where she was staying,
sent for a cab and asked the house
keeper to take my card, and convey
the girl to a home managed by one
of my friends, who would look after
her
Boissier was sitting motionless in
the dining-room by the side of the
professor" who was reading morn
ing paper.
Take him to the prefecture, Lee
roy l said. Il will see him tonight
or tomorrow morning"
yes, sir. Come along, my boy. you
and will look at few more ghosts"
And he led away Boissier, who shiv-
cred with fright and had not the
strength to utter a syllable.
We'll, Xavier" l exclaimed, when
we were alone. What do you think
of our seance? Rather stormy, was 1t
not?"
"Goron. / am too much ashamed Of
myself to dare even to thank you.
feel In a dream. But how did you fer
ret II all out? What clue did you
have!"
"Oh, l had clue. But there is
your sister, worrying herself to
death. Go at once to her, and tell her
she need not trouble to order we'd
ding cake for you. One word more.
Ask your sister to tell her butler to
bring up bottle of Mouton Roths-
child. / promised to dine with her
and you-if all went we'll" ~
1t was one of the pleasantest din
ners / can remember. The Mouton
Rothschild had been religiously emp
tied. We were smoking cigarettes,
when Xavier said: