The Cotton Factory Times. — 1906-03-23 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

PHYLLIS'S FOLLY," THE CRIMSON QUEEN," ETC.  CHAPTER UL THROUGH THE FIRE.  It was many • long day since Mextown i supplied with a aensation such as that caused by the unaocountable suicide of Cecil Warpley, and few people who read the aocount of the inquest, with its stereotyped verdict of " Temporary insanity," had any idea of the strange history which preceded and led up to the death of the popular 'young guv'nor " of Weft and Warpley'a . . .  His father put the affair down to mental worry, and when Madge formally olsimed her position be was at flint very bitter, looking on her an the cause of his son's awful end. But when Tom Lowther, who was deputed to see honest John Warpley, told his tale and intimated that Madge had no intention of claiming any monetary compensation, hit only desired to prove her statement and show she was an honest and injured woman, Mr. Warpley mlented. and the fairness which wan no characteristic of the man came to his aid, and enabled him to do his duty.  Ills interview with the girl who had become a widow before Abe had really been a wife was a Aorrowful one. _ .  —..—.—.— " My dear." he said, kindly, to Madge. "my son tried to do you a great wrong. and I thank God from the bottom of my heart that he failed in his intention. It shall be my care to see that you are recompensed for your suffering. I. also, wronged you in thought, for I took you for a shameless woman. I pray you pardon me, and I ask you, for the sake of his father and mother, to think as kindly of your dead husband as your wrongs permit. He has paid in full the penalty of his sins, and it is not for us to add to it."  Madge did not know what to say to the grave and grief-stricken man who asked her pardon for misjudging her, and who prayed her to forgive his son— the man who had plotted her ruin. So she got out of the trying scene by bursting into tears and saying incoherently that she had nothing to forgive the father, and would try not to think too badly of the  She was touched by the kindness of the man who mourned the loss of his son, on whom he had relied tas realise the great desire, of his old age. and she was glad when the interview Came to an end. But the keene,t. cut of all to honest John Warpley VIVA contained in the receipt he found in his dead son's hand, and which told all too plainly the tale of his treachery to another woman. For Madge he felt honestly sorry. For the other woman he felt no ',spot. She had brought disgrace upon his house, and John Warpley felt he would carry on his own shoulders the sin of his son, as. indeed. he cbd. though not for long. for ere a year had passed over the old merchant was laid to rest, and the hopes and dreams he had cherished in his declining years melted into the thin air of the nnrealieed. Jim Cranston recovered from the ill effects of the powder given to him by Ruth Roberts, who paid the penalty of her art by an attack of brain fever. wlych ended in her removal to an asylum as a harmless tat permanent lunatic. No steps had been taken by either Jim Cranston or his mother to bring Roth ta justice, though they both felt keenly on the matter. But they knew no good would overcome of a prosecution, and the doctor being advised of their desire, the matter was hushed up. When they heard what had been the termination of Ruth'e illness, they were, indeed, glad they had refrained from prosecuting her, for they knew she was paying in full the penalty of her dastardly deed. Jack Hawthorne and Nelly Jamee left Mextown soon after Cecil Warpley's death. The free lance who had so narrowly escaped being murdered was ',may sure there was what he called "no change" to be got out of John Warpley on behalf of Nelly lames. He had done fairly well out of the son, and he was convinced it would only be waste of time to It, and bleed the father. Nally Jamee's child had died a few days after its father committed suicide, and there we, every indication that. Re mother would find consolation for her misfortunes at the hands of Jack Hawthorne, who had proved so firm a friend to her, thus repaving him for his devotion to her cause. The year was on the wane, and the sensation of Cecil Warpley's tragic end had been entirely forgotten hy the public. when Jim Cranston and his old sweetheart eat by the fire in the dingy old sitting -,OM which Mei been the scene of PO many strange iocitients in the life of the pretty workgirl who had tasted the fruit of pleasure and found it hitter. and this now had only a heap of vain regrets left a, her share of the harvest of her old add foolish desires. "Madge" raid Jim. as he took her hand tenderly.' in hit own. "when am I to claim my reward? You know you said you'd repay me if yoticould." „ .  "Yes. Jim." answe;ed Madg;. "I remember. But I fear tam not fit for so good a man as you." "You're good enough for the best man that ever lived." Paid Jim. enthusiastically. en he kissed her. "We'Ye both had a rough time of it, but now we're through the fire let's make up to each other for the past."  "AR you will. Jim." said Madge. as she realised the sterlinir worth of the man who, in spite of all rsbuits. had been as true as steel.  There is no need to prolong our story. Suffice it to say that when honest John Warnley died he did not forget hin. daughtenin-law, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cranston know it will have to be a cold day, indeed, em they ever feel the pinch of poverty, a mercy for which they are both devoutly thankful. [Tug En.]