The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11

sent for him to unburden her soul of the load of guilt that weighed her down.
 The night was warm with suggestion of rain in the air. A soft, moist wind was blowing and the sidewalks were gathering dampness Before half the distance to be traversed had been covered a soft drizzle began to descend and a gray, murkv light stole over the town.
 The strange dwarf, mouthing and ees tlculatng, sped on ahead with ape-like pounds, turning ever and anon to assure himself that the attorney was following.
 10 Brlstow the journey seemed intermi- nable, but at last the impish-looking guide paused before the Wrghtson cottage. The door was opened immediately by woman Whose eyes showed traces of recent tears bristo" mad never seen her before, but in- 1erred she was some neighbor who had been summoned after the accident
 The lawyer entered. The house was in semi-gloom and the air was heavy with tho pervasive odor of anethetics. From beyond a closed door came voices. low and ,,,r murng.
 The doctors are with her." said the woman in an awed voice. "You can see her soon.'
 How did it happen?" asked Bristow.
 Her car got beyond control and ran into a trolley pole. She was thrown against the curbing"
 Bristow paced the floor in an agony of suspense. What if she should die with her hideous secret unrevealed? The thought chilled hisheart
 Ten minutes later, although it seemed hours to the distracted impatient man out side, the door opened and Dr. Craig ap-~ peared
 How is she doctor?" asked the lawyer eagerly.
 There is no hope" replied the physician chokingly. "Her skull is fractured and she received internal injuries which by their very nature<must cause early death If you wish to see her you had best do so at once. Her mind may become clouded at any mo- ment."
 Lines of grief and care had changed the contour of the physicians features and he seemed laboring under acute mental ex citement. from which he unsuccessfully en- deavored to defect attention.
 brlstow passed through the door in the presence of the injured woman. She lay propped up in bed, her face swathed almost beyond recognition. Her eyes glowed with a feverish, hunted light. The contrast be- tween the housekeeper as he had last seen her and this broken bit of humanity shocked him, immeasurably.
 An expression of relief passed over the woman's face as she beheld her visitor.
 "Sit here close beside me-" she whis- pered almost inaudibly. 'I have not much time left, and there is a great wrong to be righted before I die"
 Without waiting for him to obey. she plunged into the subject uppermost in her mind.
 Do you thing she-Nerissa-wi be con victed?" was her first question.
 There is absolutely no chance for her acquittal unless
 Unless the real murderer is found, YOU mean?"
 He nodded
 T will clear her," whispered the woman.
 He leaned forward tensely.
 You know who killed Doctor Selden." "No." He sank back in dejection. "Then how will you bring about her ac Iuittal?" "l have a long story to tell you," she re- 'lied. But if you will be patient shall ny to condense it as much as possible. Please write down every word, for what , nm about to tell you is in the nature of a  Bristow drew from his pocket a writing , 'ad and fountain pen.