The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-09-03

walked out together on the low ledge
Of rocks called the South Spit.
With Betteredge's help l o o stood
in the right position to see the beacon
and the coast guard flag staff in a line
together. Following the memorandum
as our guide, we next laid my stick in
the necessary direction as neatly as
we could on the uneven surface Of the
rocks.
1 advanced more than halfway along
the stick without e~ncountering any
thing but the edges of the rocks. An
inch or two farther on, however, my
patience was rewarded. In a narrow
little assure, just within reach OF my
forefinger, l felt the chain.
l drew it up without the slightest
difficulty. And there was the %japanned
tin case fastened to the end of it.
Putting the case between my knees,
and exerting my utmost strength, l
contrived to draw off the cover. Some
white substance filled the whole in
terror when l looked in. l put in my
hand and found it to be linen.
In drawing out the linen I also drew
out a letter crumpled up with it. Aft
er looking at the direction and discov-
ering that 1t bore my name, l put the
letter in my pocket and completely
removed the linen. 1t came out in a
thick roll, nodded, Of course, to the
shape Of the case in which it had been
so long confined, and perfectly preserv-
ed from any injury by the sea.
l carried the linen to the dry sand
of the beach, and there unrolled and
smoothed it out. There was no mistak-
ing it as an article Of dress. 1t was a
%nightgown.
The uppermost side, when I spread it
out, presented to view innumerable
folds and creases, and nothing more.
l tried the undermost side next, and
instantly discovered the smear Of the
paint from the door Of Rachel's bou-
doir!
1 had discovered the smear on the
n%ightgown. To whom did the night
gown belong?
, I took it up from the sand and look
, ed for the mark. I found the mark
and read
My own name!
MY llIlDECSSlOu Is luiL luC o11O(h Ill
f1icted on me completely suspended my
thinking and feeling power. l certain
ly could not nave known what I was
about when Betteredge Joined me, for
l have it on his authority that laugh
ed when he asked what was the mat
> ter and. putting the nightgown into his
!. hands, told him to read the riddle for
: himself.
The scene shifts to Betteredge's lit.
tie sitting room. My resolution not tc
. enter Rachels house is forgotten.
- "Now, Mr.. Franklin, there's n thing
, certain, at any rate" said Betteredge
= throwing the nightgown down on the
!" table and pointing to it as if it was {
= living creature that could hear him
- - He's a liar. to begin with"
- This comforting view Of the matte
was not the view that presented itsel
- to my mind.
81 am as innocent Of all knowledge
~ of having taken the diamond as yol
= are" l said. But there is the witnes
against me. The paint on the night
gown and the name on the nightgowl
are facts"
- "Was there nothing else in the til
case when you put your hand into 1t?
~ The question instantly reminded M
of the letter in my pocket. l took !
W out and opened it. 1t was a letter o
ei many pages, closely written. I looke'
impatiently for the signature at tn
ne end. "Rosanna Spearman."
/ began and read these lines:
"Sir-I have something to own t
you. A confession which means muc
>" misery may sometimes be made !
very few words. This confession ca
~ be made in three words-I love you.
'er II shall be dead AND gone, sir, whe
d. as you find my letter. 1t is that whic
10 makes me bold. Not even my gray
io' will be left to tell of me l may ow
the truth-with the quicksand waitin
to hide me when the words are writer
'h- Besides, you will find your nigh
Ill., gown in my hiding place, with tt
lie smear Of the paint IN it, and you wi
want to know how it came to be hi
the den by me, and why l said nothing
you about it in my lifetime. l hay
to only II reason to give. / did the
his, strange things because l loved you.
es- II won't trouble you with mut
~ about myself, or my life, before "
came to my lady's house. Lady Neri
der took me out Of a reformatory.
tu' had gone to the reformatory from Il
lns prison.
the do you remember when you can
the out on us from among the sand hill
in that morning, looking for Mr.. Bette
cks edge? You were like a prince In
fairy story.
ing 81 went back to the house, and son
at devil-no, I ought to say some go
lem ,,rn vb;snorod RI M 90 and In,
-- eoo,,ah ~ -,
be- III llle Si"se' was w oo "
lich the warming. L trled-On, uear, now
ain. +r;oI to raf Won fo look Hf mo