Mexico Missouri message., 1913-10-30

knocking him down Dallas squirmed
out OF the way.
You dootard!" he screamed. "Still
I are you fooled"
"Go!" shouted Brooks. IF ever
| see your evil face again | will horse
whip you
Aye, III go. for hate you-have
hated you since you did indeed horse.
whip me once, and | swore to ruin
you. have failed this hour, but later
i swear / will wipe out this last in.
suit and kill you"
The wretch drew out dagger with
a jeweled handle, waved It menacing-
ly, and Gordon Brooks returned to the
house
You have saved my sister," whis-
pered Ariadne Beltrand, tumultuously.
She had drawn away from the man in
whose arms she had to him, so deli,
ciously rested. Her face was one
deep panied flush. Il dare not offer
you reward"
81 am already rewarded" he said.
and stopped to pick up rosebud that
had fallen from her bodice.
You will forget?" she pleaded,
clasping her hands beseechingly.
Everything. except you-you |
can never forget" and Allen placed
the rosebud within his breast, bowed
with the grace of courtier and was
/ gone. She kissed her two hands after
him in token OF heartfelt gratitude.
Allen wandered far from the scene,
but some influence drew him back to
the little town. II was to learn that
/ Gordon Brooks had been found muir
l dered in his own garden, a jeweled
stiletto sunk deep in his heart.
Dallas was suspected. He had dis
appeared. There were distressing ru-
mors as to Mrs. Brooks, however. II
was known that she had never loved
her husband. Then, too, her former
lover was on his return to Brampton.
Gossip was weaving a cruel net Of sus-
picion and scandal about the suffering,
innocent wife.
Allen chanced to note in the local
paper an advertisement. II asked COM
munication with the stranger who
had passed through the Brooks gar
den" the night of the great social
function. II directed him to Mr..
Brownthorpe. lawyer OF the estate.
The next day Allen knew that his
evidence as to the stiletto and the
threat OF Dallas would forever exon
crate Mrs. Brooks. Once more he
met Ariadne.
AS they entered the court room the
next day, Allen gave a great start as
he observed seated beside the Judge
a man whom he recognized. He turned
pale. Then he spoke to his beautiful
companion.
Miss Beltra3d." ne said, strangely,
'T go to the witness stand to meet
my doom-but all for your sake"
The eyes Of the judicial visitor were
constantly fixed on the witness. As
Allen left the stand, completely exon
Grating Mrs. Brooks, this person called
out:
Arrest that man. He is an escaped
convict"
There was a wild scream. Mis-:
Beltrand had tainted away. Allen was
taken back to the state penitentiary tc
serve out an unexpired term of twenty
years.
He was innocent OF the embezzle
ment charged, but his case had beer
rushed through. Now the persever
ance of a woman, money, a gifted law
yer proved him guiltless.
Pardoned by the state, reinstated II
r his old position, awarded large none!
4 reparation, Lane Allen left that grea
a tomb of blIghted hopes, man among
men.
, At the very threshold OF the grin
3 jail Mr. Brownthorne and Miss Belt
e rand met him.
She put both hands into his own
; just as she had in the garden tina
. eventful night Of their lives, for sh'
E read the glowing longing in HIS eyes.
; "Oh, II / am worthy, take me!" sh'
E cried. for love you, love you, low
you!"
D Copyright. 1913, by W. G. Chapnan)