Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 13, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 March 1883 — Page 6

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

A TEST OF WOMAN'S FAITH.

A CASE CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

BY CHAS. J. CRAIG.

."Commenced In The Mall, Feb. 17th. Back Humberts uent to any address for five cents a copy, or subscriptions may commence from that date.]

CHAPTER XI.

LAWYER CONWAY'S OPINION. "Innocence unmov'd At a false accusation, doth the more Confirm Itself and guilt Is best dlscover'd By Its own fears." —Nabb's Bride. The preliminary examination of Harry Tranor, accused of the murder of Jared Princeton, was fixed for nine o'clock on the following morning. The justice's court was packed to its utmost capacity, and no one was disappointed when the prisoner was committed for trial without bail.

Helen Princeton's refusal to believe in his guilt was known and canvassed with a feeling of indignation. "A most unnatural daughter, clinging to ber lover while his hands are reeking with the blood of her murdered father Was ever anything more monstrous in the annals of crime If there was a shadow of doubt, such unprecedented conduct might be viewed with at least toleration, but while the prosecution is overwhelming conclusive, the defense is absolutely nothing beyond a bare denial. The girl must be bewitched, or utterly heartless!" etc., etc., etc.

Tno funeral of Jared Princeton was invested w»th all the grandeur and solemnity that wealth and social position could impart. Slowly the long procesftion wound through the silent "City of the Dead," to the most pretentious sepulchre of them all, where years ago he who was now borne to his long rest had laid away his young wife. into the tomb they took him and when they issued thence, the doubly orpbaued girl was borne unconseious to hor carriage.

When the will was read, declaring her unconditional possessor of her father's wealth, she drew the veil of mourning from before his portrait, and gazing at it through tears of flllial gratitude at this evidence of his love, murmured

You know all now—how noble he Is, how cruelly persecuted and you can not object to the use I shall make of It to clear him before the world."

This was now the one object of her life. Her fortune was measured by its power to prove her lover's Innocence. To this end the best legal talent itaust be retained for the defense and in her trouble Helen tamed to her guardian and the boyhood frieud of her father, old Lawyer Con way.

The public criticlslm which such a step would provoke weighed nothing against his assuming the case but grief at the violent death of his old-time friend biased his mind against his alleged murderer. and predisposed him to accept the popular verdict.

Gently he expostulated with Helen on the unnatural stand she had taken. The

Kirl

listeued

stenod wheu the scandalized Mrs. Langworthy had gushed as the mouthpiece of society, and the Rev. Hezeklah Calloday had exhorted with supernatural gravity in the name of the church.

The old lawyer displayed more taci than either of the others, and Helen thanked him for It but when he was done she showed him how his prejudice had made him unlawyer-llke.

I do not ask you to defend a murderer, she said "but If the man whom the daughter of your old friend loves is falsely accused of having murdered no matter whom, should not you be eager to une your powers to prove his innocence? Would not my father himself desire this? Give the case a thorough examination, and if then you decline to take it up, 1 must wait until I come of age—three weeks hence—and then employ other counsel" I noed not assure you that I should prefer you to any one whom money could procure."

Her clear lojlc and her grand faith in her lover won, in so far that the old lawyer consented to make the examination, his future course to be contingent thereupon.

Having put his hand to tho work, he subjected to a keen scrutiny every person and every fact that had any possible connection with the case. On the prisoner he exhausted all his subtlety, to draw from him the truth. He summed up the result of his labors in the words "Mr. Tranor, I bellevethatyou are innocent of the crime alleged against you, almost as timly, I think, as does Miss Princeton but I must confess that I have been Influenced by internal rather than external evidence—evidence which it would be most difficult to make twelve ordinary, men appreciate,even under the nioit favorable circumstances. In other words. I do not believe that any .ury in the world of unprejudiced men would acquit you. Now, if you will let me put your case on the theory of temporary insanity. I may get you off, at most,' with only a slight punishment."

Never!" replied Harry, firmly. "My hand was never raised against Jared Princeton, and I must be acquitted fully or banged like many another Innocent man. Shall I confers to the world that the blood of the father Is on my soul, and when I have escaped the penalty of such a crime through a flimsv pretext, make the daughter my wife? We would both deserve the contempt the world would heap upon us! No! she knows mv innocence and Heaven knows it—I thank you for the expression of your faith in me—and I must rest content with that. Makeevery effort to establish my Innocence: but it must be a full ar.d complete innocence." ••Well, If I was in vour situation, I don't know but I should feel iu&t as you do," replied Mr. Conwav "but, as my client, 1 feel bound to advise you that yon do not stand the ghost of a chance unless we can find the man who did the deed and fasten it upon him. As two competent witnesses are ready to to the identity of the man last seen in Mr. Princeton's company, yon can imagine the difficulty of the undertaking." "But such a maa exists." "We have two tasks to accomplish first to find the maa, and then to prove that be committed the murder. A!1 that money and diligent search cando shall be dons, but remember onr time Is limited. If we find him too lata. it will be as bad as not to find him at all." "I must abide by the conditions and I trust that I shall do it with fortitude," said Harry, simply.

,•%

Tried for Murder

of "old

gooa

patiently than she had

In Is wai

^r Sorrow

until jealous Fate had Prepared^n

would come kJJe ^hie SSed, and excitement under which she

everything which would deepen her g^wn VtoryTand you will see that in

loua oi sorrow. ... So Helen Princeton took up her life of

whom the world had set its face. People SSSsssjSae

Princeton's money being used to "Miss Princeton, snesaia, wrn buy off his murderer nut the gi she had said, stood proudly besidf

time with her lover and every uay rata vou won't endure to

ISSTO^Wbr^Mo^ 3?M""on.^

Ld tb* her bods' not Ujgou£, ^^"uMrly ^Mered by .uch Harry required her to take lo

u°^ain.t^L

until he

vay Look Sharp found him

self associated with old Lawyer Conway and two others, who were retained to assist in conducting the defense. Though he had assumed the case out of pure friendship,when he supposed that Harry was without friends, he of course did not decline the handsome fee afterward tendered him by Helen, nor was his zeal at all checked thereby.

Look was the busiest man on the case. He was here and there and everywhere, consulting about this and examining that, ever on the alert for something which could be turned to account In the Interests of his client.

When she left the prison one day, Helen found Look impatiently pacing up and down her library, awaiting her.

In the midst of their consultation a servant brought her a card on which was engraved the name:

"DR. FRED ALWORTH."

In pencil were traced the lines: "I am informed of your engagement with Mr. Sharp, but must se^ you at once, alone. Request Mr. Sharp to await

the Issue of our consultation, as we may

did not analvze about ber eyes, which

were red, as'lf she had been weeping,

What did it all mean? With a creeping terror Helen looked at the The eyas of the latter

lattiiii

gn a(j(jre8s

In the open air. ,, ... what was it all about? What had she Full oY hope, she emtojta to ^dS this^ri or her rights? She cooling breeze,

almost knew them by heart. »«i am wholly at a loss to conceive was like lowers removed, yet leav

their aroma behind. «nis«S. aomewhat coldly "but since

«kn"i."oThUow better-bathe dis- taun^ioAuto sembled his teelifjSl'harkiT ."hetriwj told almost 11 there was to cell before and as long as he had her love, he triea emerged from a sort of stunned

a nK thB^?TBU«&edSSiother, amazement into a clear realization of the And so the days sucked eacn ther0 was

who

shock to test tne faith or the woman. mother of his child. Among his many so-called "friends," when at last the idea took form, she Harry Tranor numbered one Luke

Sharp, a lawyer by profession, and a

born pettifogger. It was whispered that

when hard-pushed, be would advance

the interests cf his client by ways that

poker, too, those who knew Look had learned to regard four kings with sua picion, since ItTsuch cases, Look was almost sure, by some occult means, to hold four aoes.

Among many vices, Look had at least one

quality—as he expressed it, "he

never shook a friend." He knew that he had "a weakness for imbibing more of the rosy than he could stand up under," and that for years Harry Tranor had faithfully"seen him In bed/' When, then Harry had the mark of Cain branded on his forehead, that every manjs band might be against him, Ixok went to him at once. "Old fellow," he said, "you needn't tell me that you're busted aljl to thunder and haven't a nickle to swear by. I offer my humble services without money and without price, because you're laid under the table metaphorically speaking, as many and many a time I have been literally, when you have stood by me like a brother. I must confess that you haven't got the best case Imaginable, but it you'll let me, I'll do the best I can

Harry recognized the genuine friendliness back or Look's proffer of assistance, and accepted his services.

The preliminary examination satisfied Look Sharp that his client was a veritable murderer, but he argued: "The old party got obstreperous, no doubt, and Fn a moment of forgetfulness, Harry gave him his quietus. It Is a rather ugly business, but there are unhung worse fellows than Harry, and we must get off, somehow." thl

t0 her

thQ Kiib

faer

The ideas which the doctor wished to convey seemed to penetrate to her consciousness slowly. The sneer faded from her lips ana the fire from her eyes, and her tense muscles relaxed. She began to pant, and jut out her hand, as if groping for support.

Dr. Alworth sprang forward with extended hands, but she recovered herself snd waved him back.

Without a word she turned and walked to within perhaps five feet of the frightened woman who had dared to approach her with such a slur on Harry Tranor's honor. At that moment she would rather have believed him guilty of having taken her father's life In self-del or In the heat of passion,

Gazing upon poor, weak Fanny as if she was the mire under her feet, which she must perforce tolerate while despising, she said, from her centemytuoua distance: "What further have you to Say to me, and what proposition ao you intend to make

»»ff O

don't believe

everything

ton

With a creep- ^Witfi

I at the girl.

With the blood settling back upon her instead of yonr haughty disdain, it heart, Helen turned from her and looked would become you more to get down on at the doctor. vour kness to me—do yon understand? "What is the matter?" she asked, al- t.on your knees!—*nd bag pardon and most in a whisper. mercy of me."

Dr. Alworth's lips trembled as he es- Helen Princeton's queen-like pride "re gated at Helen as

THERE HAUTE SATTO-UAY EyMMa

,treunin8 do,ra

coming from a total stranger.

experienced a sense of relief, however,

through his prison-bars and. thuTseemed so foreign to her great trouwas gone, he drew consolation from!her tius complication of which she letters, reading them again and aga *„„_—}

entering the room,

bayQ tQ My to m6)» 3he

orton

before her a woman

iali daim to Harry Tranor as the

feet with a cry that silenced

narrator, and caused her to raise

|an(j8 as if to ward off a threatened

blow whileshe

Her

turned pale with fright,

face

agame

were dark and tricks that were too often temple, save for the white, qunsuccessful, appropos of which some wag

erin„ n08trils,

bad modified his christian name, so that lightnings of scorn, her tall form drawn he became known as Look Shary. At

witn crimson from

her eyes darting the fierce

tQ itg most majestic

height, with

vutu&u •.

to its most majestic height, with sll her grand Womanhood aroused Into perhaps the wildest activity it had ever attained, Helen seemed to tower like an outraged

Dr." Alworth was thrilled with both fear aud admiration. The woman who had called down upon herself this whirlwind of indignation cowered as if under a blight.

In utter disdain Hdlen turned from her to the man. "Oh! this Is infamous!" she cried. "Dr. Alworth, how dared you put such an Insult upon me? Go! and take this creature with you out of my house, this instant!" "Helen! Helen!" cried the doctor, trying to check the torrent of her wrath. "«Helenshe repeated after him, with withering rebuke in look and gesture. "Have you the Impudence to attempt familiarity after this! Out of my house, I say! or I will send a servant to expel 3 ou both!"

She swept across the room and would have left them, had not the doctor leaped past her and put his back against the door.

Instantly she froze into what might have been taken for a statue of marble, so white, so still was she, but for the blazing eyes, and the lips that curled and quivered In the intensest sneer he had ever witnessed. "27its is Dr. Alworth—a gentleman!" she said, derisively. "Are you mad?" cried the doctor. "If that woman goes Into court with her testimony, she will hang Harry Tranor as sure as the sun rises and sets! You must hear her out. She has a proposition to make to you. His very life may hang upon your discretion at this moment."

need his advice." more of a suppliant that a dictator, With quickened heart-beats, yet with

when she

no premonition of the pain that awaited makes no difference whether I beta*, Helen excused herself to the law- ueve

Alworth awaited her. produce pertinent to the approaching Entering the room she experienced a

thrill of surprise at seeing a woman in

manner, and burning curiosity, and

fear, and other amotions which Helen

triai cf

tjon

company with the doctor—a young wo- Que woman seldom stands in every man, quite pretty, with a strange blend- great awe of another, especially if a ing of defiauce and deprecation in her

man

can prove

said." began she who was

was interrupted in icy tones,

what

ver, and leaving him in the library went confine yourself to the immediate issue straight to the drawing-room, where Dr.

you

you have said to me or not.

please. Whst testimony can yoi

jJr Tranor, aud* what proposi-

y0U to make to me?"

|s by, who will be sure to interfere

aI1(|

prevent anything like physical

T|0ience.

For the moment Fanny Mor-

bad been cowed by the mysterial

emotions

Helen was still further surprised when but the words of Dr. Alworth and a 4

Dr. Alworth advanced and led her to a seat without introducing hiscomnanlon. She had never seen htm so pale, and his hand, which was like ice, and trembled perceptibly, struck a chill to her heart. There was something like pity hi his voice ness.

exhibited by Helen Princeton

1 W W A I a A A Helen's yielding so far as to listen to what she had to say showed Fanny her real power.

perceptibly, struck a cnui to ner rave birth to bitter There was something like pity Helen's icy contempt, ai eye as it rested upon her, and bis tyranny of the weaker had an almost womanly tender- iWei() unchecked by asp

No sooner was the fact realized than it tve birth to bitter resentment of contempt, and the lnnats nature showed spark ot magnanimity.

flaming

cheek

With flaming cheeks, and eyes snaparouse to her feet, she said, "with

ping

fell to the floor,

viciously, Tannv

all KAI*

Princeton,'f

luG ejos oi tue uifcwr uwi, "Ml3$ rnncevon, sue wuu and a crimson blush spread all over her others you may be accustomed to carry face, while his fingers worked nervous- things with the high and mighty hand, ly. but such a course will hardly do with me.

wouid

earth. the other, she silently awaited the anBefbre replying, h« readied out and

not permit her to bandy words

swer 0

her questions.

took ber hand* .,i It takes two to quarrel, and Fanny felt

CHAPTER XII. A RIVAL CLAIMANT.

W in All iOitftOt.

her defeat in an instant. »You have asked me what testimony I can give, and I will tell you she added. "I told your father my «Unt and he believed it. Five minutes later be met Harrv Tranor—my kusbamd,by Heaven's law, if not by man's, as he has told me a score of times!"

«Oive me good proof# of what yoa have alTto i£»f«oottgh 'o In soch a bush Ttwr* lies a thief—!n «oet» a cave a beast— But you mutt show htm to me «r« I shoot, Etoe may kXU one of my *tx»«tnQg fltwep." —CVowtw Henry VI. "Helen." said Dr. Alworth, In a voice, »H.t the deprecating ssdnen of which fright- through Helen eoed her more and mors, "I can not ex- £He met him and stopped him in th«

The girt paused to witness the effect of her words. An almost imperceptible tremor tan

street. They quarrelled, and Harry Tranor shot uur father and ran. I crossed the strict and intercepted him. I appealed to hiiu to redeem his pledges to me, and he treated me with the contempt you are showing me now. When I threatened to denounce him as a murderer before he should cast off me and hia own child and marry you, he swore that he would marry you, in spite of Heaven and earth, and struck me to the earth with his fist. "So much for my testimony. What do you ihink of it

Helen only iteslgned an impatient gesture with ner hand and a slight knitting of the brows. "This is the proposition I have come to make," continued Fanny "Give him up, so that he can' return to those from whom you alone have weaned him—for he did love me once!—I know that he loved me!" cried the girl, with sudden passion. Then she stifled the sobs that choked her, and went on "Give him up, I say, and I will never breathe a word against him but if you continue to rob me and my child," she pursued, with growing vehemence, raisisg her hand as if she was hurling an anathema. "I will denounce him before all the ''world, and cover you with the shame your unnatural position deserves!"

Great emotions turn pigmies into giants for the moment, ana between her love and hate, weak Fanny Morton was wrought out of herself. "That is all you wish to say asked Helen. "Yes," was the terse reply.

As pale as death, Helen Princeton turnea toward the door. Dr. Alworth saw that her step was uncertain, and sprang to her side. "Thank you," she whispered, accepting his arm. "I can not endure this longer. 1 will send Mr. Sharp to make terms with her.

A great thrill of triumph shot through Dr. Alworth's frame, as he led her out of the room. "Ah! is her faith shaken now he asked his heart.

And his heart responded: "You have crushed her!" Then his lips quivered and his eyes swam, and he Dent over her with a tenderness that sought to bring her seme compensation. "Would you have had me do otherwise?" he asked. "I saw how I could save him, or at any rate give him the only possible chance, and I did not count the cost."

She looked up quickly into his face, exclaiming "Forgive me, Fred, for my injustice to you in my momeut of pain." "Forgive you!" he repeated, and there came Into his eyes a look of devouring love, as if he longed to catch her to his heart and hold her there forever and forever.

She let go his arm and caught both his hands. "Frederick, my more than brother!" she cried, "It is ungenerous of me to tax vou like this. Go and leave me. I shall always remember you—oh, so kindly—for what vou have done for me during these terrible weeks. Go, Fred, go!"

He compressed his lips with pain

"It were kinder of yon not to call it a tax," he said. "Do you forget that you promised that I should be your nearest friend "Was it wise, Fred?" she asked. "Were it not better to seek forgetfulness In absence?'

He Smiled a ghastly smile. "1 wonder if a banished spirit forgets to long for Heaven he saia.

Searchingly she read bis face with pained anxiety. Then she took his arm again, and they passed on toward the library.

CHAPTER XIII. SHARP PRACTICE/-,

"And shall I sell ray silence, for sordid pelf? I' faith! not so." A When Helen Princeton and Dr. Alworth entered the library. Look Sharp left the book-case at which he was standing, and advanced toward them, smiling and rubbing his hands one over the other.

His quick eye saw that Helen was much disturbed, and then went to Dr. Alworth's lace, where the lines of pain were only brought out more strongly by stern seir-repression.

Helen sank into a seat, and waved the lawyer to one near her.* "Mr. Sharp," she said deliberately, "I need your assistance in an emergency which has just arisen, looking to the prejudice of Mr. Tranor's cause. "In my parlor is a woman who offers terms for the withholding of her evidence, which will be fatallf produced."

She looked hard into the lawyer's face. His eyes fell to the floor he coughed benind his hand, and glanced significantly at Dr. Alworth. "Excuse me," he said,* might not a private consultation accord with your wishes?" .. "The presence of Dr. Alworth neej be be no embarrassment, sir," replied Helen. "lie is conversant with all the facta." "I beg your pardon. We lawyers learn to take every precaution," said Look then taking up the case briskly, he continued: "This is a ease of blackmail. It is probable that the woman knows no more of the matter than what she has learned through the papers." "She will tell you ner own story, as she has told it to me," said Helen. "Make the best terms you can with her. If her testimony Is so vital as I am persuaded that it is, and she cannot be diverted from her purpose, accede to her demand, in my behalf, with this limitation: I utterly refuse to change my present relations with Mr. Tranor, until he is acquitted. I leave the details of the case to your wisdom." "Madiam," said Look Sharp, in his moot courtly style, "I need not assure •ou of my entire devotion to your Interests. If yon have stated all that you wish, I will at once seek the person, who may, or may not, be formidable.''

Helen bowed. Look Sharp withdrew.

she

"Ah, my dear young woman!" he cried, with his wonted nonchalance, rubbing his hands and smiling as if he were very well satisfied, indeed, with the the world, as be entered the parlor. "Come! come? whst is this cock-and-bull story with which you have been regaling my client? Miss Princeton is a lady of discernment and good sense. Although she might settle the matter informally herself, oy putting you out of ber house, with full permission to repeat your little legend in the highways and byways, and crv it from the house-tops, if you like,

sees the wisdom of calling in legal advice, and do the same thing in accordance with the rales in such cases made «K* provided. "Allow me to introduce myself Luke Sharp, Esq., or as my enemies and friends alike call me, Look Sharp, at your service. I am Miss Princeton's attorney, sent to toot sharp after you! pa* haf—a pun—good, Is it not? Yes, yes. I shall took sharp after you, and if I catch vou tripping-but, pray proceed. What are you prepared to swear to, touching Mr. Harry Tranor's agency in the death of the hue Mr. Jared Princeton?"

Look Sharp seated himself directly opposite Fanny, and with a hand on either knee and his arms akimbo, regarded her with the stern legal stare with which lie was wont to disconoert nervous witnesses.

Fanny had always entertained a very healthy contempt for little men and "after meeting Harry Tranor's rage and Helen Princeton disdain," as she said to herself, "she would like to see herself be put down by such a whiffet as Luke Sharp, Esq., let him look as sharply as lie pleased/'

With disdainful directness and particularity, she told |»im her story. The lawyer then put her through a perfectly labyrinthine cross-examina-tion. When he was done, his mental comment was: "My pretty cat, you certainly have us mice at the mercy of vour velvet-sheath-ed claw but it won't "do to let you know it."

Aloud he said: "Well, my dear Miss Morton I think I fully understand you. Now, being cognizant, as you allege, of the murder of Mr. Jared Princeton by Mr. Harry Tranor, you propose the suppression of your testimony in consideration of the relinquishment on the part of Miss Princeton of all claim on Mr. Tranor? "That is it exactly." "You made this proposition to Miss Princeton?" "I did." "In the presence of Dr. Alworth?" "Yes sir#*' "You now repeat it to me as Miss Princeton's agent?"

Yes." Ah! three witnesses," said Look Sharp, with seeming great satisfaction. "Now, my dear voung woman, do you know what you have done by this seemingly harmless little proposal?" "What have I done?" "Why, you have unlocked the ceil where we can put you to languish until the prison damps have washed the roses out of your cheeks, aud the mold of your living sarcophagus has corroded your rounded plumpness of limb." "You can't do anything of the sort! cried Fanny, a little nervously, however. "Oh, most assuredly," replied Look. "Whether your story is a fraud, or as true as gospel, doesn't matter a fig. In the latter case you would have been guilty of compounding felony. In the former you have attempted to levy a sort of amatory blackmail, so to speak. On either count we can give you a term of seclusion from the cares and turmoil of a wicked world but you are nothing to us. It would be no satisfaction to my client or myself to cut you off from the opportunity of getting a nice hasband and a pleasant home. "More than this, Miss Princeton has compassion for your unprotected state. SheFs willing to pay your expenses north, south, east or west, to some favored spot where the child of whom you spealt not be a blight on your future prospects, since you can persuade your new friends that you are a blooming widow. She will pay you one hundred dollars down and twenty-five a month until vou make some lucky man happy by bringing the brightness of your smiles to his hearth-stone, or set out on your pilgrimage to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. "Could anything be more munificent than this Could anything be more In accordance with Christian precept You seek to injure us we heap coals of fire on your head, by saying "Go your way we will make you comfortable for life "Come, Miss Morton," continued Look, suddenly assuming a serious manner.

"You

are nobody's fool. Here is

just how the cast stands: On the one band, if allowed to do your worst, you could only furnish a sensational article for the newspapers and a tid-bit of scandal for the gossips causing Miss Princeton pain, it is true, but not affecting Mr. Tranor. "What does your testimony amount to, after all? They have already two witnesses to swear to the /act that the two gentlemen met. "You can add nothing to this, since you saw nothing of wnat passed between them after their meeting but worse than this, through Ignorance of the law, yon have laid yourself seriously liable. You see, you gain nothing and lose a great deal. "On the other hand, in order to escape the humiliation of having her lover claimed by a rival, Miss Princeton will give you money enough to keep yourself and child without work. "Come, I will draw up the agreement at once you can attach your signature and receive the hundred dollars oonus and the first monthly Installment, and have the matter done with in ten minut69*"

The tricky lawyer spoke with unblushing effrontery, and drew from an inner pocket along note book, as if he was abeut to execute the document on

Fanny Morton had turned very pale while listening to him. It was plain that she accepted, in the main, bis expounding of the law but she stood res-

"I don't want her money," she said, "and you can put me In prison If you like. I don't care what comes to me. if Harry Tranor don't make good his pledges but I know thst my testimony is worth more than you say. I can supply the exact motive. I saw him running away after he had done the deed, and he as good as admitted it to me. "No, I'll have none of her money. She must give him up to me, or I will give him over to the hangman!" "And do you refuse or most munificent offer—ourunexampled generosity "Decidedly, yes." "Very well, my dear young woman. If you drive us to extremities I hope you will be satisfied with the result. We will have you under lock and key before you can say boo!" "At least I will have the satisfaction of defeating you all." "Not at all, my dear. We shan't give you the chance." "But you can't prevent me from testifying when I know that the man did the murder." "Most assuredly we can, and will." "How "By taking you into immediate custody."

Look Sharp arose, as if he was about to arrest ber with his own band. The girl was seized with a dread of being kidnaped and spirited away, or something equally dreadful. As desperate things have been done. Ia a panic she rushed to the the bell-rope snd jerked it violently several times in rapid succession.

Look Sharp saw that he had carried bis game of bluff one step too far and overreached himself. Loetag bis presence of mind, be sprang toward br to check the alarm, and the frightened sin began to scream at the top of ber vo

Look saw Us second mistake, and shrank back dismayed at the probable result.*

There was a sound of hurried feet in the hall, the door flew open, and Mary, the parlor maid,' rushed in. looking greatly frightened. At her beels was Dr. Alworth, and several servants were but a few

steps behind him.

Fanny Morton was quick to detect the

'".

lawyer's chagrin, and a smile of triumph curled her lips. "Now, Mr. Sharp," she said, "will vou at once agree to my proposal, or shall I tell to thtse people all that I know of the case?"

Although at a great disadvantage, Look Sharp did not altogether lose Els wits.

Miss Morton," be said, with a forced lau his your address. You are evidently able to conduct your side of this negotiation. With your permission we will dispense with the presence of the servants, and continue unembarrassed." "No, sir. I will hear to nothing but an immediate acceptance or rejection. What do you say?"

lugh, smiling and bowing and rubbing is hands, "let me compliment you ou

The girl evidently saw her advantage, and was bound to keep it. Look Sharp yielded as gracefully as he could. "Weaccept, with a qualification which will not afreet your purpose." "What is the qualification "You can hardly expect me to state it before all these people." "Write It down and put the paper ou that table. I won't let you come near me."

Like all lawyers, Look shunned all writing which might compromise him, as a mad dog shuns water out there was nothing but to obey, and he yielded.

Fanny was little pleased with Helen's reservation, but Look put In "My dear, it is one woman against another, and I am of the opinion that she can be quite as firm as you. This concedes all that Is material, and you had better be satisfied with it." "Very well, sir you may dismiss the servants as soon as you choose."

Fanny spoke with the air of a great lady, to whom servants were animated machines, as nearly as she could imitate her favorite actress, and the gaping group was dismissed.

Ten minutes later Fanny left the house, Look following her close enough to see that she spoke to no one, yet not appearing to be in her company. Her satchel was soon packed and leave taken of Mrs. Taskar, the widow couuting pounds of motherly tenderness to Fanny's ounces of gratitude. Having seen his charge in tne ladies' car, LOOK entered the smoking-car aud the same train bore them away.

By the merest accident a man saw Look and Fanny emerge from Helen Princeton's house, and afterward came upon them at the depot. In half an hour he was In close conference with the driver of a butcher's cart,whom he called Joe.

That evening Joe adorned his person in garments very "loud" lu cut snd pattern, and sought Mary, the parlor maid. Of course, he was soon informed of the strange scene which had turned the servants into a perfect hornet's nest of gossip, the more because they had been charged) not to oommunicate It, on pain of dismissal and equally, of course, he disregarded Mary's repeated injunctions of secrecy and his own solemn pledges, and detailed the whole matter to the man who had sent hiui on the errand of treachery.

Meanwhile. Dr. Alworth had sought Helen In the library, and communicated to her the conclusion reached between ber attorney and ber rival.

The girl thanked him, and ankod htm to leave her alone, In a voice whose only trace of emotion was in Its lowness aud just perceptible restraint. She was very pale. "Is she convinced, aud does she still.' cling to him Is the love of the woman so potent to smother the horror of the daughter?"

Dr. Alworth had ample food for thought. [TO BH CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.]

IF NEARLY BE A D,

after taking some highly puffed up stuff, with long testlmonla?s, turn to Hop Bitters, and have no fear of any kidney or urinary troubles, Bright's disease, Diabetes or liver complaint. These diseases cannot resist the curative power of "op Bitters besides it Is the best family leaiclne on earth.

Know

That BROWN'S IRON BITTERS will cure the worst case of dyspepsia.

Will insure a hearty appetite and increased digestion.

Cures general debility, and gives a new lease of life.

Dispels nervous depression and low spirits.

Restores an exhausted nursing mother to full strength and gives abundant sustenance for her child.

Strengthens the muscles and nerves,enriches the blood.

Overcomes weakness, wakefulness, and lack ofenergy

Keeps off all chills, fevers, and other malarial poison.

Will infuse with new life the weakest invalid.

xi Walker Sc., Baltimore, Dec. iStu Tor tlx yean I hare been a great •ufferer from Mood DUea*e, Dy*pep» La,and Con*tipali cmjand became

BO debilitated that I could nc

nat retain

on my stomach, in fact, almott become a burdea.

anything life had

Finally, when hope had almott Idk husband seeing Baoww'S Jnrrsas advertised in the iper, induced me to give it a tria*, am now taking the third bottle not felt

me, IKON

and have not so well in six years as 1 do at the present time. Mn. L. F. Ouw»

BROWN'S IRON BITTERS will have a better tonic effect upon any one who needs bracing up," than any medicine made.

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