The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18
MAGAZINE

At the sound of the lawyers voice the
dwarf sprang to his feet, showing his fang
like teeth wolfishly. His face was con-
torted with passion and he seemed on the
verge of attacking the attorney. Brstow
drew back with shudder OF repulsion.
The woman, startled and nonplused, Of
fered no word Of explanation.
After his first surprised interrogation the
attorney was silent, but the expression of
wonderment, even suspicion, on his face was
unmistakable.
With an obvious effort the woman re-
gained semblance of composure.
$50 home, Royal" she ordered sharply,
addressing the dwarf.
The hideous-lool1ing being Immediately
dropped his militant attitude and skunk from
the room. But he passed from view with
vindictive backward glance that sent chill
to the lawyers heart.
Miss Wrightson turned to Bristow.
"What do you wish?" she demanded with
\ touch of asperity in her tone. But her
voice trembled and her eyes could not meet
his squarely. And upon her face, was
stamped an expression that, to Bristew, be-
spoke more than humiliation and chagrin.
'.Who was that--that person." Bristow
stammered. why was he here?'
she is my nephew" replied the woman,
dull red flush mounting to her cheeks.
'sThe poor unfortunate fairly worships me.
= He. comes here for the laundry and occa-
sionally helps with the cleaning
pardon me-" said Bristow contritely. I
hoJ 70
purely personal matters You will overlook
my abruptness?"
She nodded acquiescence.
"Miss Wrightson," he asked abruptly,
'sdo you recognize this?''
She recoiled with an expression of frozen
horror on her face, gazing at the glitterng
jewel he extended toward her as though it
were a ghost risen from the tomb to con-
front and terrify her.
. 81 found it entangled in DR.. Seidon's
beard continued the lawyer relentlessly.
EDO you recognize it?"
She did not reply, but her eyes chung to
the brooch, with strange, compelling fascina-
ton.
''To whom does it belong?" he demanded
Speak
'0h how can I tell your she burst out
at length.
"Tell me at oncer' he commanded.
He hung upon her answer with sicken-
ing premonition and impending calamity.
Slowly, reluctantly, the woman spoke.
'It-it is Massachusetts she sobbed.
Bristow stared at her with wild, unbe-
lieving eyes.
The lawyer dropped into chair. Every
thing seemed to float dim and distorted
before his vision. His head throbbed as If
his heart had been driven there by leaden
weight pressing upon his breast. He grew
sick and faint as he faced this fresh in
tensified horror 1t looked more than ever
as though the woman he,loved had slain her
father. The girls unexplained absence and
circumstances which told strongly-only too
acknowledgements her.
I'D
By degrees Bristow fought himself back
to composure and reason. But his face had
grown old and lined in those few moments
Of terrible suffering. When he spoke his
voice. was but an echo, hollow and pitiful,
of what it had been.
s'She did not do it," he cried vehemently,
more to himself than to his auditor. 81
would as soon think an angel descended
from heaven and did this horrible thing?'
But, even as he spoke, his brain reeled
before the insistent, unanswered query :
How came the brooch in her fathers beard?
"Destroy itp' whispered Miss Wrightson.