Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-17

or - N. ". ~. T. b. N y. - l.
But Lambert overcame the last low
" obstacle in his path of love. seized
her. drew her to him and kissed her.
just as he should have done long ago.
And To his wonder she returned his
lip salutes.
"Oh. Toni mean Mr.. Lambert
what have you done?" she cried.
Then both of them became aware or
the presence in the yard of Lady Di-
ana. The girl was laughing at them
I've compromised you in public and
now you'll have TO marry me, said
Lambert. with laugh.
DO you know. Betty. / really think
you WILL put in Lady Diana as Lam
bert and Mrs Beamish retreated into
another corner of the yard.
But Lady Diana had scant time to
give to their affairs. for moment
later Lord Brancaster appeared.
He had received a letter from the
girl telling him how the Rev. Werner
Haslam had been taken to Falcon
hurst after the wreck. and how I'M
nerved he had seemed. He had really
appeared on the point of telling some
thing to Lady Diana. hut the next
morning had left Falconhurst without
a word
Lady Diana bad added in the letter
that Lord Beverley had applied for war
rants for Sartoris and Mrs. d Aquila
on the strength OF an affidavit made
by Tom Lambert.
Brancaster had rushed TO Newman
ket the moment he received the letter.
The young people were conmiseraJ-
ing with one another on the fight OF
Haslam when that individual entered
the stable yard He was pale and
agitated and even trembling as be ad,
vanced 70 the Young people.
''Ah. Mr.. Haslam." said Lady Diana.
II was just talking of you. Why did
you run away from us so suddenly at
Falconhurst:'
~ was afraid began Hasiam and
then stopped. He raised his hand de
spairinEly.
'Of WHAT" she asked gently.
What had DONE be said.
You should have been proud. 1t
was splendid work. You saved all
wrcckage when others feared to do So
And can't save myself-my soul
my life" be said in agony OF spirit.
asked the young English girl.
A terror almost such as might come
to one demented at imaginary perils
crossed the pallid face OF the man in
clerical garb.
''Sartoris-GrevilleS artoriS." he said.
the devil-loose-at my throat next
save me-
Mr.. Haslam. you are in no danger
here Brancaster said reassurinEly.
why not: Does he stop at any
thinG:" went on the frightened vicar.
What do you mean" demanded the
young earl. now determined that the
scene should cease or that the clerical
should explain himself.
That am 1t coward" said UaSlam,
Fear sealed my lips. Fear opens
them
There was murmur of sstonish-
ment from Rrancaster and Lady III
ana. and then the pale clergyman hur-
ried on;
That was his work. wasn't it: You
told me-the accident"
Tom Lambert had left Betty's side
ard was now openly listening to Has
lam.
jected Lambert. Il heard it planned
between him and Mrs. D'Aquiln."
The vicar was looking straight be
fore him. In the vacancy he seemed
TO see horrible sights. hear terrifying
sounds.
Murder, he muttered. "A dozen !
Iives-a hundred-what did he care?
He would have taken them to gain his
end. Would lie stop at mine?'
why should he want:" Brancaster /
began.
My silence forever, The silence OF /
the grave" cried the wretch. almost !
beside himself in his cowardly passion, !
Because / helped his villainy-he I
drove me To it by fear. Then held me |
dUmb-by fear Now ! have seen his !
work. his pIan-complete-reck !
worcestershire crash-the torn bodies I
on the line-I've seen the ire-heard 1
the children scream-what is my life /
to him? Save me. Save me. il Won |
will. Put prison walls between US |
There 1 can atone-repent."
"Of what?" asked the young earl. |
going closer to Haslam and looking at
him peculiarly.
Haslam raised his head looked dt
rectly at the questioner and then at
Lady Diana.
The lie that wrecked your lives"
be said.
There was a marriage That is
true"
Between me and Mrs. D'AquiIa ?"
demanded Brancaster.
Between the woman-and one who
took your place" confessed the weak
ling