Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-27

reconsider
know him again. Look at him, [ say"
And Lionel looked, yet since clearly he
did so without recognition, his brother ex-
planned:
His name among Christians was Jasper
Leigh He was the skipper you bribed to
carry me into Barbary. He was taken in
his own tolls when his ship was sunk by
Spaniards. Later he fell into my power.
and because l forebore from hanging him
he is today my faithful follower. [ should
bid him tell you what he knows" he con
tined, turning to Rosamund, III | thought
you would believe his tale But since |
am assured you would not, l Will take
other means"
He swung round to Jasper again
bid Ali heat me a pair Of steel manacles
in a brazier and hold them in readiness
against my need of them And he waved
his hand.
Jasper bowed and vanished.
The bracelets shall coax confession from
your lips, my brother"
II have naught to confess" protested
Lionel. You may force lies from me with
your ruffanly tOrtures."
Oliver smiled.
''Not doubt but that lies will flow from
you more readily than truth. But we shall
have truth, too, in the end, never doubt it."
He mocking, and there was a subtle
purpose underlying his mOckery.
And You shall tell us a full story" he
continued "in all its details, so that Mis-
tress Rosamunds last doubt shall vanish.
You shall tell her how you lay in wait for
him that evening in Godolphin Park; how
you took him unawares, and"
THAT is false." cried Lionel in passion
of sincerity that brought him to his feet.
1t was false, indeed, and oliver knew it,
and deliberately had recourse to falsehood,
using it as fulcrum upon which to lever
out the truth.
''False?" he cried in scorn. Come, now,
be reasonable. The truth, ere torture sucks
it out of you. Reflect that 1 know all
exactly as YOU told me. How was it, now.
Lurking behind bush you sprang upon
him unawares and ran him through before
he could much as lay hand to. his
sword, and So
THE lie of that is proven by the very
facts themselves" was the furious Interrupt
ton.
subtle Judge of tones might have real
lzed that here was truth indeed, angry in
dignant truth that compelled conviction.
His sword lay beside him when they
found him.
But Oliver was loftiIy dsdainful.
do [ not know? Yourself YOU drew If
after you had slain him."
The taunt performed it's deadly work
For Just one instant Lionel was carried off
his feet by the luxury of his genuine indig-
nation, and in that one instant he was lost
AS Gods my Witness that is false," he
him fair ~
He checked a long, shuddering, indrawn
preath that was horrible to hear.
1hen silence followed, all three remainin O.
mouonless as statues: Rosamund white and
tense, oliver grim and sardonic, Lionel linn
anu overwhelmed by the consciousness of
now he had been lured into seIf-betrayal,
At last it was Rosamund who spoke and
hef voice shook and shifted from key to KEY
ueSplte her strained attempt to keep it level
'What-what did you say, I.ionel?" she
asked S"e
Oliver laughed softly.
He was about to add proof Of his state
ment, think" he jeered. He was about
to mention the wound he took in that fobt
which left those tracks in the snow tbus TO
prove that lied-as indeed I did-when I
said that he took Peter unawares."
l-1onel.' she cried.
9he advanced step and made as if to
hold out her arms to him then let them fan
again beside her. He stood stricken. answer
ing nothing u
lionel" she cried again, her voice grow
ing suddenly shrill. "Is this true?"
Oliver.
She stood swaying moment Iookfno a.
Lionel, her white face distonted into masl,
OF uhutterable pain. Oliver stepped towards
her' ready to support her. fearing that she
was apout to fall But with an imperions
nanu she checked his advance, and by a SUI
Preme eHort controlled her Weakness Vet
her knees shook under her. refusing their
ONCE. She sank down upon the dfvan and
covered her face with her hands
Nod pity me!' she moaned and SAT
huddled there, shaken with sobs
Lionel started at that heart-broken cry
covering. he approached her and Oliver.
Srln and sardonic, stood back, a SPECTATOR
OF the scene he had precipitated He knew
mat given rope Lionel would enmesh him
sell sun further. There must be eNplana-
uons that would damn him utterly. Oliver
was we'll content to look on
Rosamund!' came Lionel's piteous CRY
Rose Have mercy Listen ere YOU Judge
me, Listen lest YOU misjudge me-"
Aye listen to him." oliver flung in. with
ms soft hateful laugh. Listen TO him. |
douot he II be vastly entertaining"
Lionel.
"Rosamund, all that he has told YOU of If
is false 1t 1t was done in seIf-defensa
1t IS lie that took him unawares." His
words came wildly now. I'VE had duarreled
aoout-about--a certain matter. and as the
oeNit would have it we met that evening in
HodoIphln Park, he and l. He tainted me.
he struck me- and finally he drew upon me
ana forced me to draw that | might defend
my NE That is the truth. l swear to YOU
mere on my knees in the sight of Heaven!
"Enoush. sir, Enough" she broke in
controlling herself to- check these protests
mat but heightened her DISGUST
Nay, near me yet, | mplore YOU: that
knowing all you may be merciful in YOUR
Judgment"
'.Mereiful?' she cried, and almost seemed
to laugh.
ut was an accident that 7 slew him."
l.1onei ra1ed ON, Il never meant it,
never meant to do more than ward and
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