The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-30

She couldn't let him marry another woman, unware of her existence. She couldn't raise question of divorce, for she knew that would tend to re- fleet unpleasantly on his past.
 And. too, at last. she was begin ming to feel as if she might like to resume her position as his wife, now that he was prominent and wealthy
 "she told me the whole story-of which l had been utterly ignorant. and she sent me here. I was to see Dr. Waring and use my own judg ment as to when and how l should tell him all this. R
 T came here, with feeling f dis like and resentment toward aAather who had been no father to me. A-..her exonerated him, to be sure,X ,XJut Nj was all such surprise to mg that accepted the errand In g. Spirit of bravado and was prepared to make trouble, if necessary
 But when l saw John WarinE- when I realized that splendid man was my father-I knew that all my love, all my allegiance was his, and that my mother was as nothing to me, compared with my wonderful father!
 Except for what Mir. Trask calls the Truesdell brows, I look exactly like my mother Also she resumed her maiden name of<' Anita Austin after they separated, So you may imagine the shock when Dr. Waring first heard the nslme. and first saw the living imag9' of his wife. whom. you must remeper, he supposed dead.
 "'But l had my mission to perform and so, I came here, that Sunday night"
 The audience sat motionless. Lock wood, holding her hand, felt every tremor of her emotion as the girl told her story. Fleming stone, real izing thatJhe was hearing the most dramatic frevelation of his career, listened y1avidly. Fibsy, with staring eyes aHd opened mouth, clenched his fists Vn enthralled interest, and Mau- rice Trask heard it all with ever gTJ0wing conviction that he must give up his supposed inheritance. [ As Anita began to tell of that Sum Yday night, the situation became even more tense.
 q came to the French window, and tapped lightly. pr. Waring let me in. and I sat by him in that plush chair.
 "The conversation I had with my father I shall not detail. It is my most sacred and beloved memory. | We were as one in every was. We loved each other from the first word. | We proved to be alike in our tastes and pursuits. Oh, if he could have | l myself, and he was crushed. l want | ed to spare him, but what could do? He had to know-although the know l ing meant the running of his career. lie said at once. he could not take | the presidency of the college, with the story of his past made public. nor could he honorably suppress 1t. He couldn't marry Mrs. Bates-nor could he install my mother as mis- tress here.
 "He had done no real wrong, in making that early and ill-advised blot on his scutcheon. and an indeli- ble one.
 "IIe would sit and brood over these fearful conditions. then, suddenly he would realize my existence afresh, and rejoice in 1t. He loved me at Never fatheE and daughter, am sure crowded a lifetime of affection into such a few moments"
 Bravely Anita went on, not daring to pause to think. Her hand, tightly clasped in Lockwood's trembled, but her voice wes steady, for 1t was her opportunity to clear her fathers name, and she must neglect no slight est point.
 At last. he told me I must go away and he would think out what he could do. He gave me the money, I cash with me, and ho gave me the ruby pin, saying I must keep 1t for ever as my fathers first gift to me. With infinite gentleness he bade mo good bye. and softly opened the glass door for me. I went away and he closed the door.
 T went home to tho Arams house. making, of course, those footprints In the snow. It was a very cold night. l remember the clear shining stars, but I thought of nothing but my father-my splendid, wonderful father. And I hoped. oh, how I hoped. that some way would be found that he and I could spend our lives together. I didn't know what he would debut I prayed to God that some way out might be found. "The rest you know. Of the man. ner of my fathers death, I know nothing at all. Of Nogi. have no knowledge. I kept all this secret at first, because I hoped to shield my fathers name better that way; But think now, it's better told. l couldn't live under the weight of such a secret.
 One more word S to my mother. She has had an admirer for many years, named Carl Welrose. She has kept him at a distance, but, as you know from the telegram she sent me. Sne naS alTeuy eItHer InaTTleu III III of promised to. Also, she advised me to tell the whole truth. I have done so"
 Unheeding the others, Lockwood put his arm round the exhausted girl as she fell over toward him. His full calm helped her. and his gentle yet firm embrace gave her fresh courage to endure the strain
 Thank you, Miss Austln," and
 
 have shown marvellous wisdom and l congratulate you on your entire procedure. You are an exceptional girl, and I am prord to know you" This was great deal for Fleming Stone to say, and Anita acknowi edged it with grateful glance. Fibsy, his eyes streaming with un-
 "oh, Miss Austin" he sobbed. "oh, Miss Anita"
 Trask alone remained unmoved and sat with folded arms and frown- nig face.
 But little attention was paid him. and Stone said, thoughtfully:
 "Our problem of the mystery of Doctor Warnings death Is as great as ever"
 Tt is," agreed Lockwood. But I am sure now, MT. Stone, that 1t was a suicide. The motive Is supplied. for I knew pr. Waring so well. l know the workings of his great and good mind. and I am sure that he felt there was no other course for him. l can see just how he decided that the exposure of all this would react against the reputation of the college. That the sensation and scandal that would fill the papers would harm the standing of the University ot Corinth. and Tdat-and that alone caused his dL,sision. l knew him so we'll that can tell you that never,