Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
AUTHOR Of THE LONE
WOLF, " !" TIE BRASS
BOWL, ETC.
COPYRIGHT BY LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

''They were kind enough to say moth
ing, to pretend Mrs. Merrilees had in
stigated the smuggling swindle that
you invented-to blind me. Even Mrs.
Merrilees pretended, in the goodness
of her heart. And I was deceived I'M
til-this Mrs. Ellsworthy locked me in,
and so gave me chance to think from
a true point OF departure. Then I un.
desst0od. thought it ali out-realfzed
that you had stolen the neclzlace-that
you were an associate Of criminals
that 1 was the daughter of a common
thiefI'
Grooming, Craven covered his face
again.
"Now," said the girl, "let me go. I
don't know what action they mean to
take against you, but, as for me, I ask
nothing better than to be permitted to
go and forget you
"You mean you won't appear against
me?" he asked
"Not if I can manage to lose myself
another name, perhaps"
at won't be necessary" Craven in
terrupted in voice of chill despair.
He rose, stood staring at her with eyes
deep sunken in sockets that had been
suddenly followed out by despair. I'm
done for"
A certain simplicity in that declara-
ton convinced and struck fear into a
heart that had been impregnable to all
other appeals.
"What do you mean? Father, what
do you mean?"
"YOu remember the knave of dia-
monds-the knave of clubs? There's
one more knave in the serieS-spades
and that spells-death!"
"Father!"
cts an old story-tOo long to detail.
The knaves are warnings. I haven't
had spades yet; but I'll get it within
six hours unless I produce the necklace
to be sold and shared. And that's now
removed forever beyond my reach!''
"Father!" the girl reiterated witless-
ly. She caught the arm Of chair to
steady herself, unconsciously sank into
it, and sat staring and terrified.
"The trouble" said Craven in a
broken voice, ''the trouble is, I've al
ways wanted to run aight-always.
I guess every crook does, down deep.
And when I saw a chance to marry
money shook Smith and Gordon. Only
they wouldn't be shaken. And then
ran short, and to keep up appearances
until after the marriage made up my
mind to turn one last trick-the neck
lace-and then" he laughed bitterly
virtue! But they were on the same
job And then you turned up. Other
wise I could have come through with
the loot and saved myself. Now"
He paused an instant, profoundly
speculative. II may have a chance yet
for a getaway. They don't know where
/ am; though they may suspect. II
only I can get an hours lead out of
town"
The sound of sobbing disturbed him.
What lies had conjured up-fear, dis
gust, contemplate truth had eXor.
cised: the rags and tatters of her child.
hoods love for him alone remained.
Spent, broken in heart and spirit
humbled and torn with the horror his
confession inspired Lydia sat huddled
in misery, racked with tearing sobs.
Craven moved to her side, touched
her hair with hesitant fingers. "Well,
well 7" he said huskily. "We were fond
of each other, weren't we, while it last
ed, little girl? And your MOTHER
loved her. Well-well-"
He turned and without her knowl-
edge gained the door; paused for a
single, prolonged backward glance;
shook his head uncertainty; shrugged !;
deftly inserted key in the slit in the
doOrknob; and let himself softly out
Only the muffled jar of the closing
door made her understand that she
oil