THE GIRL AND THE VILLAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1970, 4 January 1907, Page 4

THE GIRL AND THE VILLAIN.

, Hy Carroll Sprague. Lillian liail boon looking at tin: Hats. 11 or honos acliod from weariness and hor heart acliod bccnnsu this October she Would have boon hunting a flat for herself and not for his sister-in-law if Tom—but what was tiio use of thinking of that 1 She was done with Tom. Ho was a villain, and no gill that had iho least mite of self-respect could afford to treasure the memory of a villain in her heart. “Your sister could use the room oil the kitchen for a nursery,” the agent was saying. “The sun slimes there all the morning.” Lillian heard the words, but diu not comprehend. She was looking out of the window, and wondering how any man could walk so much like Tom as the man she saw turning the

corner from Wilson avenue. With a breathless impatience—although she knew Tom was in Denvet’ —si 10 raised the sasli and leaned out. Jus then the mail looked up. It was Tom. lier heart stopped beating for a moment, and she thought she would fall to the pave-

ment. “There was a mail here this morning,” the agent said, as she closed the sash, and turned towards him. “Me likes the place. Ho is going to bring his wife to-morrow. If yon want it you would better ” That was Tom’s footstep on the stair. Mow dared he come up to speak to hor 1 Mow dared ho! hlie heard him shun the door and she turned to the window again as he

strode into the room “Lillian,” he cried, in passionate protest, and his voice thrilled her as of old. “1 have been looking for you for months. 1 didn’t know the name of your sister’s husband, and nobody knew your address. Thank heaven, I have found you!” Lillian would not look at him. Illded, she turned a white face toward the agent. “This mail annoys me, she said. “I do not wish to speak to him.” “See here, young fellow, clear out.” The agent bustled forward threateningly. , , , “Who are you?” asked lorn as he looked the agent over. “That’s none of your business. You get downstairs before I throw you down,” Tom laughed, “This young woman is my promised wife,” he said. “I have been looking for her for months. Before you throw me downstairs I’m going to have an explanation from her. “There is nothing to explain, said Lillian to the agent. She wondered in her heart how so great a villain could have so much "hardihood. “You hear that?’’ said the real estato man. “There is nothing to explain. Get along with you now. Ho laid his hand on Tom’s shoulder and ! m-ule as if he would push the wesnernor toward the stairway . Tom hurled the agent halt way across tile room. . , “I’ll call the police,” cried the agent, as he ran to tlie stairway and disappeared. . , ~ Tom caught the girl by the shoulder and made her look around. Then lie held her hands . “Lillian, I’m entitled to an explanation, and I’m going to have it. Tell mo what is wrong. AA hat have I done ?” . “You are a brute, she said, on the verge of tears. “I don’t care how. m? y names vou call me, but you must explain. \Vhy did you send back my ring and my letters and run away without a word? I must know.” “Helen showed me your letter. “And if she did? A letter X wrote years before I ever saw you. Xll admit that i once thought 1 was fond of Helen. ' Surely you——” “The letter was dated June, 1906.” T “Then the date was a forgery. I wrote it in June, 1903.” “I don’t believe it. 1 hate you. “lou may bate me, but you must believe me. Lillian, look at me. Hid I ever lie to you? 1 swear to you uiioii my honor that I never wrote a line to Helen after we were engaged. AVhat a spiteful tiling she is! lou believe me? You must believe me. There was a heavy tread on the stairway. : , . , . “There lie is. Look out for him, lie’s dangerous.” ... The agent had two policemen with him. Tlie minions of the law took Tom in custody without any prelinu-

names. , . ~ As they led Inin _ downstairs tho real estate mail lifted liis hat ga.lantly. ' “Your tormentor is gone, said he. “They will lock him up over night. Allow mo to seo you safely home.’’ ~ .. T .... • .thank you no, said Lullian coldly. She followed the officers and their prisoner downstairs and caught up with them oil the pavement. ••J.0111,” she cried, “i believe you. And after due explanations were made the policemen laughed and permitted their prisoner to depart with liis lianee, As for tho real estate agent, nobody oven thanked him for his trouble.