Gilpin observer., 1917-04-26

ton, and also solution. On this pre-
mise I fooled even my sweetheart.
Nerve, Bainbridge, nerve-that's 1t.
and your wits about you every min
ute."
"But, my boyl Why have you kept
this secret 80 closely guarded? Why
did you not come to met" cried mis-
attorney and longtime friend.
II took no chances against defeat"
was the Illuminating explanation.
Remember, Bainbridge. the charge
against me had to be proven false.
This could be done only by exposing
the true criminal and obtaining his
confession Of guilt. u"
"Have you got thatY" interjected
Mr.. Bainbridge, eagerly.
Miss Dare has it. At least I think
she has 1t {" replied his visitor, sudden
ly troubled. He picked up his hat.
"Come! We will 60 to Miss Dare" !"
And he hurried out of the room, fol-
lowed by the excited trust officer.
On the ride to the Dares, the man
beside Mr.. Bainbridge asked the ques-
tions originally in his mind.
my estate-has it ever been dis
tributed|
"No. Your legatee refused to touch
the money. Through an order of court
I have held your entire fortune in
trust. Every penny can be accounted
for-and more" replied the attorney,
smiling mysteriously.
"What do you mean by those last
words?"
II transferred your real estate hold
ings to stocks and bonds of a very high
grade. They have increased astonish-
ingly in value, at least by one hundred
thousand, If not more"
"How's that7" was the sharp Ques-
ton. "Stocks and bonds Of what ma
ture"
"War bridesl"
The man at the wheel turned to his
attorney quickly. "Sell out, Mr.. Balm
bridge, at once!" he exclaimed, with
show of irritation. II couldn't touch
that money. As to the surplus" he
paused, smiling peculiarly, suppose
you make a draft, payable to bearer,
for one hundred thousand. have i'm
mediate use for that exact amount |"
The lawyer looked at him in aston
ishment, shaking his head sadly. The
man surely had changed. 'That's a
very large sum-" he ventured.
"Oh, yes" smiled the other, blandly.
ut will make substantial wedding
gift to two needy unfortunates who
have just been married"
wedding giftl" mumbled Mr.. Balm
bridge, under his breath; and there the
conversation ended, for they had
reached the Dares.
Mr.. Bainbridge was dropped of at
the house and his companion proceed
ed with the car, as usual, to the
garage. He seemed to take a longer
time than necessary in putting the car
away. Indeed, now that the end and
a new beginning Of things was about
to come to pass, he showed a reluc-
tance to hasten the change.
He sat down on the running board
Of the big limousine, resting his chin
in an upturned palm, and fell into a
brown study.
Meanwhile, in the Dare library Law
yer Bainbridge and the colonel were
shaking hands with more vigor than
either had shown for many a day. The
house was agog with expectation.
Major Brent and his wife had arrived,
the latter proceeding at once to the
suite she had SO long occupied. Bertha
was now happy and serene woman.
Pearl Dare came running in and the
two, as women do at such times, fell
into each others arms, weeping hys-
terically.
"Isn't it wonderfulT cried Pearl,
amid her ecstasies. II know it, Ber-
tina. knew that he was different. All
along felt strange, familiar some
thing in our relations, something which
was not clear but which drew me to
him, even when I doubted him the
most I"
"Where is he now7" asked Bertha
Brent, almost as excited as Pearl.
Pearl led her by the hand to a win
dow overlooking the garage, There,
in the shadows inside the wide-open
door, they saw the man Of the hour
seated on the running board Of the big
AluOuSlue.
Have you talked with him?"
Pearl shook her head, unable to re-
move her loving and beamlng eyes
from the figure.
HE is waiting for you, Pearl"
II cannot go to him." she breathed,
her voice catching. 'This is the most
profound moment Of his life. 1 must.
wait until he Is ready"
Together they went down the stairs
arm in arm, and Joined the group in the
library. Here they found Lawyer
Bainbridge, the colonel and Major
Brent engrossed in the communication
to T. o. Adams found in Toko's room.
1t was paper Of an altogether start
ling nature. Pearl, by whom every
word had been memorized, found her