For Her Sister's Sake; OR, THE LAVENDEN SECRET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8357, 13 February 1907, Page 2

For Her Sister's Sake; OR, THE LAVENDEN SECRET.

CHAPTER XXlX,—Continued. The inspector did not reply. His chief, crossing to the bell, had touched the electric button. Julia turned, alarmed and bewildered. As she turned her eyes fell upon the sturdy figure crd pink, plump countenance of the detective she had sesn at Peter Crimple's, and she started back, a new fesu' in her heart paralysing her tongue. / The footman who had showed in the callers answered the bell. The superintendent spoke coolly. "Say that your mistress will be glad," he oegan, "if " and he paused, with a glance at Julia Lavenden. She knitted her hands in a spasm of suspense and misery. "If the bareness," she continued, "will be good enough to come to the library for a moment or two." The man stared, but went. Julia faced her torturers. ' "For Heaven's sake! tell me what there is to tell," she begged. "I can bear it—suffering is no new thing to me." The superintendent placed a chair for her. "Pray sit down Lady Lavenden," he said. "What we have to say relates only to yourself, and I would remind you that, even when it be-, cotaes the duty of the law to make a Serious charge, every person so charged is presumed to be innocent till he or she is proved guilty." Julia Lavenden sank into the chair he had placed, an awful dread depriving her almost of sensation. The rustle of silken skirts recalled her to herself —Constance Istria, white-armed, white-throated, splendid in her trailing evening gown, had swept into the room. j "You want me, my dear'?' she asked, looking from Julia Lavenden j to the three grave resolute men who stood about her. Julia bent her head, j "These —these gentlemen have something to say to me," she fal"and preferred not to say it alone." Constance Istria's face lit with sudden interest, and she glided to her cousin's side. ] "Well," she answered, "and as now you are not alone, perhaps we | may learn what }t ip," , i Tfc£, inspector consulted his chief mutely, and stepped forward. "It is my duty, Lady Lavenden, he said, "to arrest you. You MQ charged with being with some otter person' or perons in the death of My James Garside. And I have to warn you that anything you say after this may be used in evidence against you."

;; CHAPTER XXX. A MEETING AND A PARTING. A cry burst from Julia Lavenden—a cry low and shuddering--and she suddenly rose from the chair, that had been placed for her. "No, no!" she exclaimed hoarsely; "it—it isn't true. I never dreamed that they " She stopped, frozen into silence by the faces of the three men. There had come into tjie expression of each the same look of hard, yet melancholy, intelligence, and she realised that her own words were responsible for it. Instead of being amazed, indignant, and incredulous, as she should have been, she had begun by defending herself, and in doing so she had suggested that she knew something of James Garside and his untimely end. What should she say? That she had sent her convict husband to his brother's rooms, nothing doubting that there he would find succour and disguise?. That would be to admit her complicity in aiding the convict's escape, her knowledge of James Garth's identity, her relationship to him, and her reason for dreading his re-entry into her life. Besides, the detectives had spoken of James Garside. Could it be possible that the police had not yet fathomed his identity with James Garth? They had warned her to be silent. Why should she not accept the warning? They might know nothing of hei marriage, nothing of James Garth's evil passion for Winnie, nothing of Boysie. At the thought of the child she steeled herself to endure and be still. She sank down again upon the chair from which she had risen; the cKief of the detectives—the man who had been referred to as the superintendent — was addressing her. "We have made arrangements, Lady Lavenden," he said, "for'your removal from here. If it is not too late for you to communicate with your lawyer, we shall be glad to « afford you every facility. Perhaps in the meantime you will give instruction as to any riecessaries you may desire to take with you." . Constance Istria stepped forward. Her handsome features were carefully composed into a semblance of horror and amazement, but the light of cruel satisfaction shone inher eyes. "Surely," she exclaimed, "you are not going to take my cousin to—to prison! There must be some ridiculous misunderstanding which can easily be. cleared up." The superintendent bowed. "I trust, madam," he answered, "that Lady Lavenden's detention may prove to be a short one. At present, however, I cannot enter into any discussion upon the charge it has been our painful duty to make, and I shall be obliged if you will place her lady ship as soon as possible in a position to accompany us." 2 Constance Istria shrugged her shoulders and turned away. "My dear Julia," she observed effusively, "I -needn't say that I, don't believe this absurd accusation for all these gentlemen seem «o

By R. Norman Silver, thir of 'A Double Mask," "A Daughter of Mi/st w ii Meld Apart,'v * ( The Golden Dwarf," etc.

"For Her Sister's Sake " was commenced on December 20th.]

grimly in earnest. But, as they 4 have the law on their side, I suppose I had better do as they ask." And she moved in the direction of the library door. As she did so, it swung open, and George Merivale entered, his glance directed, not into the room, but toward the hall without. "Just wait in here a moment," he said, "and I will tt.ll Constance." His sister caught a glimpse of the figure he was ushering'in, and took a hurried step forward. But it was too late. Winifred Lavenden had entered the library. '-' 1 With a convulsive sob Julia Lavenden sprang to her feet —another moment and Winnie was locked in her arms. & George Merivale's heavy, under jaw set suddenly. He had perceived the presence of the inspector and his colleague. "It appears," he said, "that we have interrupted a consultation of some sort. Perhaps Miss Lavenden and I had better retire." Constance Istria glanced at Winifred Lavenden; 'oblivious of all save their reunion, the latter was weeping on Julia's shoulder. "By no means," said his sister dryly; "indeed, I have been wishing that you were liere. Incredible as it may appear, these people have a warrant for Julia's arrest. She is accused of being mixed up with your friend Garside's death." Merivale uttered an irrepressible exclamation. But it was almost drowned by the piercing shriek which had broken from Winifred Lavenden's lips. "Oh, no!" she cried; "you sha'n't —you sha'n't take her away. I—l will tell you everything, everything —only don't take her away! She is innocent; it is I whom you must take!" She confronted the detectives and their chief, and they were fain to avert tKeir gaze from the young face, so drawn and white, and yet so pitifully beseeching. Julia Lavenden flung her arms about the eager girl. "Winnie, 1 Winnie," she protested, "what are you saying, you foolish child? I shall come back to you again soon—very soon. You must not be alarmed; I am»not." Winnie forced herself free from the encircling arms that sought to restrain her. "No, no!'* she said determinedly; "they shall not take you! It was I who killed him, and I will suffer for it!" . ... Julia put a soft palm Over the girlish mouth, and wept aloud. "You are mad, my darling; mad," she sobbsd. "We are both innocent." Winnie released herself resolutely and held out her hands to tue silent representatives of the law. George Merivale would have come between them, but at a sign from his chief the inspector brushed him aside, g "Take me away," she said. "I did not mean to kill him, only to frighten him, and get the certificate. That was why I took the pistol. It went off while we were struggling, and I —I fainted. I did not know he was hurt till I—l came to." She covered her eyes. Julia was swaying unsteadily, and her lips twitched as though they had lost the power of speech, and were seeking to regain it. The two Q's exchanged swift glances. The superintendent looked from one to another. "You are making a seriously incriminating statement, Miss Lavenden," he said, "and it is my duty to warn you that it will necessarily be used against you." Winnie bowed her head assentingly. "But you will let Julia go free," she said; "indeed, she did not know. I have never dared to tell her." "The superintendent hesitated, then saw that Mr Quail, standing behind his chief, had begun to write in his note-book. "If you really desire to continue this statement," he said, "I am ready to listen." Winnie shrank back. "Don't ask me to say any more," she whispered; "it hurts me to think of it. I will go with you quietly. I have told you}the truth; I did kill ! James Garth. Julia is quite, quite innocent." Mr Quail's pencil had stopped 1 with a jerk; now it ran on hurriedly. But Winnie's voice had failed her, and Julia, stealing to her, had clasped 1 her mutely. "Oh! my darling," she moaned at 1 last, "and it was all my fault. You were trying to save me. But it was an accident; they must see that it was an accident. You could not have wished to kill him—you, my 1 innocent, gentle darling.'' 1 (To be Continued.)