, 1923-02-02

whole business. for this new lover is
the cousin of her husband in the
Mounted Police. The husband is the
heir to an old estate in Westmorland.
He had a younger brother now dead
"Dead.' The word came in a gasp
from Dick BrackneIrs lips.
"By his death lin a shooting ncci.
dent falling the succession Of the
oder son, the cousin becomes the
her, and you have the rather unique
situation Of the cousin stepping into
the shoes Of the heir and the husband
Mt one and the same time. Quite a
lite drama in its way. is it not?''
'How do you know all this?" Dick
demanded.
\ I explained. I am the repre-
sentative Of tho firm Of Sir Joseph
Iiayner and Son. and l have been
sent out to find the girl VIE"
To find J-cr-thc girl?"
Yes! she returned 10 the Domin.
ion. and my principal. suspccting
that she was going to marry the man
l have mentioned. sent me 10 inter
venc. Two courses are open for mo.
either to find the Young lady. and cX-
plain TO the former that in the alb
sence of proof OF her husbands death
such n marriage is of more than
doubtful legality; or to find the cousin
and point out that the young lady is
already a wife"
but hc-but what II he already
knows"
Then in that case I shall be called
upon to explain the law to him also.
But SO far l have accomplished none
of these things. The officer is miss.
ing; and the young lady has already
left for an unknown destination. e.
I do not know. of course. but I
have my suspicious as to who may be
awaiting her at hat destination"
"What do you mean"
We'll. sir you will remember that
the great Antony thought the world
wen lost for love. and what Cleo
Datra thought, her actions proved.
Human nature docs not change. and
love Is. the strongest passion It
knows. II | suspect that her lover
being missing. the young lady has
gone to look for him. or IL not that to
meet him Mt some appointed rendev.
ous. The W are young between
them they will be fabu'ously rich and
they will not be the first pair of lovers
to set the world and the worlds con.
ventions at defiance. At least they
will be able to afford itH'
"Ncver! by Heaven: never"
The words came from tho sick
mans lips cXplosive.y.
afNF--. - -
Bracknell-Dick Bracknell: and I can
guess it is my wife and my cousin Of
whom you have been talking. And to
think that two days ago he was here,
and that I lot him go!'
He was here two days ago.
Two days ago-and I let HIM go
because he pitched "A cock and bull
story which I believed He once suE-
gosted TO me that I should make rep.
arations to my vito by allowing her
10 divorce me-
That was a very crafty suEges.
ton on his part!' broke in Rayner
suavely. 1T would have cleared his
own way to your wife! You say that
your cousin vas here two days aEo:
perhaps YOU a tell me which way
ho was travclllnE?'
"ITe was going up the rivcr-to
mcCt JOY as like as nUt"'
Then I shall follow! Perhaps I
shall meet the lady: If so. l shall be
able to assure her that the marriage
she is contemplating is quite out of
the question"
Say I've news for HIM. that I want
to see him; as by Heaven I don'
ragged Dick. Tell him what you like.
but get him to come back here"
Il hope you will not be VIOLENT
began Itayner.
"Niolent! Bring hin here" Brack-
nell laughed Almost dcliriously, land