Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-12

"It will remain there-untll I have de-
cided-a great many things. 1t is a long
letter, full Of details. 1 have made copy
of it."
Where is the copy?"
She thrust hand under the pillow and
drew out some crumpled sheets of paper.
He took them from her. and, walking to
the window, read Vertigans letter very
carefully from beginning to end. 1t con-
tained the truth, and nothing but the
truth. 1t had been written, so it appeared,
from Nice, and was dated only a fort
night before the mans death. The post
script, in the light Of subsequent events,
was very interesting,
These statements" 1t ran, ARE the
words of man who knows that death is
very near to him. and for that reason
must carry almost the same weight as
the statements of dying man."
He read this sentence through twice,
and then turned to his sister.
What shall I do with this?" he said.
II do not think 1t is safe"
Put 1t in the fire." she interrupted. 1T
was only meant for your eyes"
He put the paper in the fire, and 1t
blazed up merrily. Then he turned to his
sister.
"You could not trust me with the orig
Inal?" he said. bitterly. "Well, dare
say you are right"
rs it a statement of the truth?" she
asked.
Yes. But the postscript-I know moth
Ing OF that"
"oh. you know nothing" she echoed.
you think 1 killed VertiganT
"Why not? should not blame you for
II IL you had"
"Well, had nothing to do with 1t. He
was killed by a weak-brained gambler
who had tried to rob him of his money
who did rob him OF his money. l think
the police ought TO know the last part Of
this letter. II Vertigan was in fear Of
death, some one must have threatened to
kill him."
what does 1t matter7 The man is
dead, and the world is we'll rid Of him."
John Erlelgh pursued the subject. He
was anxious TO keep his sisters mind on
the death OF Rockford.
'It may give us a clue" he went on.
Some other member OF the gang who
abducted Lord Wimberley-"
what does 1t matter7" she quertod
coldly. "The boy Is dead. II you put
20 men in prison you cannot bring him
TO life again"
"stll. / think it is my duty"
you have sGid enough" she inter
TO think OF, to talk over with me. Do you
understand that you are on the brink OF
a precipioe2 I do not think you do"
His lips moved, but no sound came
from them.
"You think" she continued, raising
herself on her elbow once more and look
ing at him, "that because you ara my
brothsr-because you have been kind to
me-because there are ties OF aneotton
between us-you think / would not hurt
you. Good heaven, II you think that. you
do not understand what my life has been
for % years"
''You-you would not bstray ms-ror
the sake OF the man-who wrecked your
life"
1T was you who wrecked my llfe-he
" ould have married me. His death has
made me what I am-injuTed my SON
put It In the power OF people like Xerti-
gan and your wife 20 dictate terms 70
me. Well. all that Is over now. 1t is !
who will dictate the terms, 1 who Will
name the price"
He walked away from the fireplace.
and. seating himself Ia 3 chair, buried
his face IN his hands. For a little while
there was no sound ia the room but the
ticking OF the clock on the mantelpiece.
Even your wife" the woman com
tinusd, after q pause, has turned against
you. she will not live with YOU"
1T was her sons death be muttered.
Nothing else but that-she thought !
was responsible / let Yertigan
coms 70 the school
she thinks q her Hon-ahoFe every
thing 4 think 81 mlna. Thai 4 fhe
Fay of womea. NY sea ls Bae< ypa