Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26

were you IN any way responsible for ml
fathers death7"
For a moment Oracle Plessey's eyet
searched her daughters face, then, hei
lips drawn In. she seemed to consider
her course Of action. She came to Q
swift decision.
You shall have your answer, then.
she said; ~ was in large measure re.
sponsible for Admiral Plesseys death
He was not murdered-there was n strug.
gle. Gilbert has known this all these
years. II he speaks--or II this man Arrol
gets at the truth--it will mean penal
servitude for life for mel did II for your
sake" she added, She took out lace
hordered handkerchief and whmpered
Maud went to the other side Of the
IRE and sat down and looked at her.
She was wondering what effect this reve-
lation must have on her, how she felt
about 1t now. Her theory Of the crime
was instantly formed. Her father had
surprised her mother with a lover. had
threatened them, and in the struggle
the woman or the other man had killed
him. Could that other man have been
| MARTINI No, she recalled his emphatic
denial. She believed him Besides, then
hor mother would have been more
| anxious to concilate him than any one
else. Could 1t be Huron hImself7 That
| was impossible, for then the man could
| not speak without putting the rope round
his own neck. No, IL was some other
man. who had fed Into the unknown.
But Huron knew and demanded her
Maud-as the price of his silence. 1t was
all clear to her.
What do you mean by saying that you
did this for me7-that / am also in
Gilberts power7" she asked suddenly and
harshly,
Mrs. Plessey went on whimpering. IL
can't very we'll explain. 1t would
be dreadful IL It we're found out--for you
as well as me-"
Maud leaned forward, her cheeks rest
Ing on her hands, and thought again.
She fancied she had got at tho whole
truth. Her mother had tried to evade It
by making an appeal to her personal fear
and self-interest, and her talk of doing
1t for her sake was merely a hastily
invented excuse for her crime. She did
not believe that Gilbert could hurt her
dlrectly. 1t was unnecessary even to pre-
tend that he could, since he had 1t in
his power to doom her mother to prison
or pehaps the scaffold.
~ won't tell you any more about IT,"
protested Mrs. Plessey, from behind her
handkerchief 1T was cruel to wiring
this from me-
II don't want to hear any moro.
Gracious heavens, how are you and l go
ing TO live together now 1 know this?'
Il m sure | don't want you TO live with
me You never loved me. don't
think 1 ever loved you, not since you
were tiny tot. You were very sweet
theh' You are too much like your
rather Well, have thrown myself upon
like" ~"
Does Martin know the true story-of
tathers death, mean?" asked Maud
Ignoring her mothers hysterical talk.
Il don't know what Martin knows.
Sonetimes"- es"-viciously-''I believe that he
was sent to spy on me-"
believe It was you he was shielding
at the trial at the risk of his own life.''
Mrs. Plessey laughed shrilly. You
think he was in love with me then-he
also?"
Maud shuddered with disgust Altar
such confession her mother was sim
pering with vanity She was pleased
with the insinuation that she had moro
lovers than one
The girl rose with a shudder.
Mother" she said in tense voice you
are horrible woman know now |
why we never loved each other. I'm FIad |
we did not"
What do you mean--what do YOU
meanT Mrs Plessey gripped her daugh-
ter by the sleeve. Terror, not shame, was
In her face DO you mean that you don't
care enough for me to save me?-Maud
you can't mean that Remember that
when all Is said and done 1 am YOUR
II wish could forget It. No, am not
going TO expose you. It all happened n
long time ago There may have
been some excuses-extenuatInR cjrcnr,-
stances, as the lawyers say"
There were. there We're" protested
Mrs. Plessey eagerly. Your father was
much older than I-he threatened me
US. mean. Don't let's talk about il.
Promise me that you will stop Arrol from
iigging all this up again-that you will
marry Gilbert"
You cowardr' cried Maud fieroelv
Not content with sacrificing me- Won
would have a man go through life sus-
pected of crime he has never com
nitted! Plead with him yourself. still
believe that he was shielding you in the
,ast' What can do to save you will
10. will not ask any one else to sAori-
Ace himself for you.''
She paused and gazed moodily into the
mirror. Suddenly she realized that she
vas contemplating her own features. She
vas glad that she could discern no trace
If resemblance to her mother.
please go now" she said without turn
ng round. II have heard enough for
no night I wish that had perished out
here in Moroccol"-and her voice sound
ID like a sob-'1 don't want 10 see Won
Igain for some time. It can never be the
anne again between US. hope you real
ze that"
Mrs Plessey stood up and drew the
olds Of her kimono more tightly about
Ter. Tears were rolling down each cheek.
he looked very frail and girlIsh.
"Iu go away" she whispered ''You
ICED never see me again unless you like.
II go-go and bury myself at Brighton
r Paris-Or somewhere. Just as the sea
on's beginning, tooi' And she dabbed
er handkerchief TO her eyes.
She moved towards the door. As she
aid her hand on the latch she turned
nd looked at her daughter.
You'll see Gilbert at once, won't your
he asked eagerly.
Yes. will see him very soon. Don't
Q afraid, came the assurance through
faud's clenched teeth.
CHAPTER X
TRs. PLEssEY kept her word To the
WI astonishment OF the servants she
oss and brealsfasted at 10. and. accom-
aWfad hU Halfaa daRarfad for TQrfglk,v, | y