The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-26
xR. TREDwAYS. this is why
N have come to you; I have re-

brought against my fiapce OF having
spent the last three years in a convict
prison. This terrible accusation he
protests against in the strongest posi-
BILE manner. OF course tim bound to
accept his word; but"
The lady stopped and the incom-
pleteness of her sentence was full of
meaning.
Miss Janet Caseldy had entered my
friend Hogg Tredways' sitting-room
one minute before she committed her
self to that surprising outburst. 1t
was not the headlong plunge of nerv-
BUSINESS or mental pain. She wanted
to nail Tredways' attention, to abruptly
chain I'D his interest before it even
wanted to escape. You will see that
Janet Caseldy was practical. prosaic;
but heaven had tempered those austere
gifts by a face of much beauty, and
the warmth and coloring of twenty
seven years.
Tredways shot at me an amused
glance. But you are not bowed down
with the weight of his contradiction"
he finished.
The lady was no whit abashed. TT
Is far from being a matter for smile, e"
was her earnest rebuke. And because
I cannot but feel that there is some
thing very mysterious in the matter.
I have come to you
Il am honored. Miss Caseldy, but
suppose you let me have the facts?"
They are soon told. My hance's
name is John Bartle. We were en-
gagged TO be married when I went to
America. He had a position Of en-
gineer in an electric power station in
Sheffield. I went to America because
my parents are there, and we were in
no haste to be married, as I wished
John to be quite unfettered while open
ing up his prospects. He was much
opposed to my journey although my
parents were old and needed my at
tention. I fear We quarrelled at the
last. He wrote me afterward, though
not very often. Then his letters ceased
altogether. That was three years ago.
Suddenly received one from him. He
acknowledged his fault implored me
to forgive it. I was not disposed to
do so, but my parents dying at that
time 1 came to England. where I met
John, and our engagement was re-
newed. A few weeks later a most ex-
traordinary thing occurred. which has
greatly interfered with our happiness.
John was to take me to Drury Lane
Theatre, and to save time We had
agreed to meet at st. Paurs Church,
Covent Garden. 1t turned out a dark
and wet night, and I took shelter under
the porch. He was there, although at
Tirst did not see him. 1t was his voice.
speaking to someone. which told me
IF you come to me again do you know
what I'll do? I'll thrash you until you
are the sickest sort of dog that ever
stood on two legsi'
while I stood half paralyzed by
this remark, 1 heard the reply come
from the blackness under the heavy
portico where the speakers were stand
ing behind one of the stone pillars. Not
you,' was this answer. Not by a Jug
full! 1t 'ud only mean the raising OF
my price. And what is it? Just a
mouldy couple of sovereigns for me to
drink the health of a fellow chum who
was in quod alongside o. me? I'm fair
ashamed of yer. Is this the way OF
prison pal
Il heard the sound OF a blow that
made me feel faint. ran to the spot
in time to see a man pick himself ur
with blood upon his face. John leaped
toward him, then caught sight of me
and stopped. The other went of with
out speaking a word
The scene asked for an explanation
I told John what I had heard. He in
stantly denied the charge, and should
not have doubted but for the extreme
agitation which at first made his words
almost unintelligible. The theatre was
out OF the question. and I returned
home feeling very unhappy,
Ten minutes later Lreceived a visit
or. had been followed from the
church by the man whom my fiance
had knocked down. He had shadows
US, had surmised that we were lovers
! Did I do wrong to listen to this crea-
ture? At any rate let him speak
for IL John was in trouble 1 wanted
sincerely to help him. This man af-
nrmed that he had known him ir
prison; that he had been with him
for two yearsi Could anything be
more horrible? And then he bluntly
demanded a sum of money to keep him
silent. I had become a little afraid OF
him / temporized. asked him to my
house sEain in seven days time. at the