The Cotton Factory Times. — 1901-09-13 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

MABEL VYNER'S LOVE,  OR THE MYSTERY OF BRYDEN GRANGE.  BY KALEIDOSCOPE.  CHAPTER %XXVII (CmarNuxD).  At Sir George's request Arnold briefly told what he knew of the past tragedy, and the purpose and motives that had animated him since its commission. Sitting down beside Mabel again, and holding her hand the while, he began: " That night I was too excited to sleep, and threw myself down on the bed, only taking off my coat. The reason was that from something Lady Dryden had said during the evening, I thought she suspected how it was between Mabel and I, and was disposed to regard our union with disfavour. Lying there alone, I suddenly conceived the idea of going to the library, where I knew Lady Bryden was at the time, and patting the question directly to her. As I had been out earlier in the evening, and my boots were covered with clay and earth, I took them off, and then went downstairs. Just as I reached the library door I heard voices, and, thinking that it might be Sir George who was with Lady Bryden, was about to retire—Mabel having asked me to speak to the latter first—when I heard a strange voice speaking within the room. In surprise I looked in and saw a tall, shabbily dressed man standing near the window, and beside him Lady Bryden. I could not, from the position in which he stood, see his face, but hers was wild and white with terror, and, as it seemed to me, desperation. "I was just about to rush in and seize the intruder, whom I now took to be a burglar, when I heard—or thought I heard—him claim Lady Bryden as his wife, although I now know that in so thinking I was mistaken. Almost paralysed, I stood for a time unable to stir from the spot, and while there heard occasional fragments of the conversation— broken, but still sufficient to Ell me with a horror too deep for expression. Then I went back to my room to try and decide what I ought to do. I was more than stunned, I think, for I don't remember anything clearly until the shrieks of Lady Bryden alarmed the house.  " That night, sitting in the dining.room with Mabel, I tried to realise what had happened, and what it meant for us all. Lady Bryden married befpre, and her husband still living; Mabel her daughter, and Mabel's father the murderer of George! I wonder now that I did not go mad outright.  "Then, out of the darkness and horror of it all, I began to see a way by which I fancied I could save those whom I so loved from dishonour and shame unspeakable, while yet doing justice to the dead. If I kept silent, if I did not speak, the murderer might escape the police, and, by avoiding public justice, keep his evil secret. Save he and I none knew it, seeing that Lady Bryden's mind was Rune. Then my decision was taken, my resolve made, and I ask you to believe that it was my love for you all that led me into this, the only path of safety for you that eyes of mine could see." He stopped abruptly, covering his white face with his hands. All through he had spoken in a hard, jerky way, very unlike his usual ready flow of language, and his hearers guessed—Guy, indeed, already knew—the terrible nature of that old and— thank God—never fulfilled vow. Then, in a voice that trembled and almost failed, Sir George asked: "And where did that path lead ?" Arnold looked up, and Mabel saw on his face something of the look it had worn that day when they parted in his room. "To the grave," he said. "I would execute justice on the murderer, and although the doing lost me Mabel, yet it would be done for Mabel's sake."  A great awe that was almost fear fell upon his hearers. Then, while Mabel rose and put her arms round his neck, from his white lips came the tioestion— " There was no other way. Can you forgive me that I followed it ?" "flow can we condemn you?" answered Sir George. "Ea, Arnold, thank God while you live, as everyone here will, that the task was taken out of your hands." " Amen l" was the solemn reap° _nse of all, and in it Arnold read the assurance he had craved.