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:1 9m glad you have come to gee me so coon,’ she said. “It. is only fight that you should know, at the earliest possyble moment, that, my niece desires to thh~ draw from her engagement, to you. Mr. Mershon.” Merahon started from his chair, and reddened. "Want-s torâ€"to break it. off!" he said. huskily. “Why? Why should she want. to high. it GIT?” , With her u-sual directness and strch re. gard for truth. Lady Pauline answered gravely: “My niece does not love yqu." Merehon'e pallor was startlmg. Then he laughed uneasily. “I t-hlnlgI understand." he said “Sheâ€" she thinks this scandalâ€"that. I shall be angry and cut up about. it. Well, so I am; but It won’t make any difference to me. Of course, I don't like it; no man would like to have his future wife mived up thh such an awful business as this. andâ€"and some fellows would want. to draw back; bul I’m not that, kind of a, man. Tell ecxe that. I stand by my word; yes. t at I say that even now. when I don’t, know why she went, to Gaunps rooms, or whether she expected to see him 01; ngt. _Jus_§ tell her glut, Lady Pa‘ulln'e‘.” Lady Pauline rose. The man‘s vulgarity and meanness simply amazed her. Why. why had Decima promised to marry a. pgfisonlvho‘yvas not. even}; gentleman? “I will tell my niece what you say. cer- tainly.“ she said; “but it may be some time before she is well enough to recewe your message, and I think I may assure on that it will not have the effect upon er whlch you expect, a“d desire. She will not. marry you, Mr. Men-"hon." He reddenad and plucked at. his gloves. “‘Bhe~she was of! her headâ€"she didn’t know what she was saying when she told you she wanted to break 01? the engage- mggw' “he stammered.‘ ’I‘On the contrary, she was quite con- acmus, and her words were pefi'fectly lucid and final." said Lady Pavline. “I fear I can not remain away from her any longer, My: Mershon." "SVhéiroee, and Mershon, almost too fu- rious to mutter the conventional adieu, leg, [11g house. Had there been anythin between Deej- ma and Gaunt? he aeke himself Hm jeaflquey arose and tore at him, vulture fashion. as he thought, of Gaunt’s aind Decuna’s friendship. of the, way in whmh she had helped to restore the Hall and carry out Bright’s plans. And then she had come up to London all of a audden and had gone to Gaunt‘e rooms! A fierce hatred and suspicion of Gaunt took poe- aession of him. igflégefii strai ht to his lawyer, ausharp plty attorney w 0 had acted for Mershon 1n“_1_rnan_y_risk_,y pugs, nu .uwuv Am"; ‘4ch “Terrible affair this. Mr. Mershon.” he began, for he knew of Mershon'e ennge- ment to the Miss Deane who was tuixed up in the "murder in Prince’s Mansions," and he sus acted that Mershon had come tong-pnqu .i‘mhanq he was right. "Yes." said Merehon. abrumly. “Look here, Gflsby; I’m infihis, after a fashion. I want you to act for may Of course this fellow, Lord Gaunt. Is the murdnter.” Mr. Gllsby lopked rather startled. "Well, the ev1dence~” -â€""Is enough to hang any man,” broke inuyer‘shon. “Whgn’s the innuest?" “Do so. And, see here, brief one of the sharpest common-law barristers. Get the best Old Bailey man on can, and let. him re resent me at the naueet." r Gilsby nodded and waited. "If that man Gaunt did it, he oughtmot to get off." contmued Merehon. avoiding the lawyer‘s eyes. “He’s a swell, a 'noble lord,’ and all that, and theyâ€"his friendsâ€" w111 move heaven and earth to get, him off. Now, I say that it would be a mis- carriage of justice ifâ€"they succeeded. A man who’d shoot a. woman in cold blood is fiaâ€"eriollght to :be. hurls? “awaaiaaa‘wv. 1' "efiaad‘imagiasfi can ascertain.” "I know all that!" broke in M-“rshon, fiercely. “But I want to heln. Get, the best man you can. and let in appear M, the inquest, andâ€"and see t at. there’s no attempt tn hoodwink and bamboozle the jury. See?" The sharp city auorney did see. He nod- d¢d_, apdurang a bell. v “nun wlu umuuu w 5......“ 7 "I’m sure of it.” snapped Mel-slum. "I’m staying at the Grand” he addvd. as he flqgg orally; h‘at._a.n_d ieft jhe qfiice: "*Boéké’ttHi‘Bxi} 111251, Mr. Mershon,” he Sfiad. quietly. “I’ll br‘ef him. And you think Lord un‘ntfiis guilty“; 'dilé‘fiir"ibbl?éa‘ ifftfi'é‘ emu door thoughtfully. It, opened again auudenly, ami Mr. Mershon fentered. 7 7 The inquest, was held on the following day. The room was crowded with lawyers, reporters, and as many of the curiou: pub- lic as could force and squeeze their way in. Not for many years had so sensation- al_ and "interesting" a. murder been com- mitted, and the world was watching the developments of eVente and waiting for every detail with an eagerness which even the moist entqrnri-sing‘ of the newspapers could not satisfy. And some of them, it must be admitted. had done their beat, Short, and charmingly inaccurate biong phiPs of Lord Gaunt had appeared. to- 1gather Wlth portraits hideously unlike 1111. Some of the sketches of his life repre- aevted him as a man who had spent most of his days in the society of savages, and was therefore just the man to commit a peculiarly fgrggioqs‘ thunder: :‘Ceriainfimc'értvhrin .v."u' assented Mr. Gllsbv. “But you need have no fear. Mr. Mstshon- The .TT9‘1§“3‘Y .Will .PMES’W’W‘" W‘V‘You’ve got all those bins of ‘Mr. Deayne’g, haven’t you?” he inquired. es. "Riéht. I may want to recover on than]. May want to do so all in a hurry. If I Ergu‘wt,’ you'll drop down on Deane. e Bob-by and Bright had almost to fight their way into the room, and it was some mmutes before they could reach the soli- tora’ table, where Mr. Belford, the head of the firm of Gaunt’e lawyers, was nittiv‘g beside the famous counsel. Six- James-Les- ton, whom Belford & Lang had retamed. Mr. Be!ford nodded to Bright. “We’ve got Sir James, you see, Mr. Bright," he said in a hurried under-tone, “and everything will be_done that can be done for Lord Gaunt; but”â€"he shook his head gravelyâ€"“the case looks very bad. Do you see that Mr. Boskett is here?” and he glanCed toward that, eminent, gentle- man. “He appears for M168 Deane." Bobby started. “Iâ€"I (llu not. engage him," he said. "I fisver ghought of 1t.’ “he 13 irftructed‘ by Mr Gilsby," said Mr. Belford in tame?- a. dry voice. “He is mr. Menshon’a solicitor, Mr. Mershon 1g inexpehir‘d that i133. YSii c’in not, .A-‘._ 5‘38 £171} {Tom here. Yes. the case looks serious, butâ€"well, Sir James will do all that can be done. rest. assured.” After the usual formal pre‘imiunrlee, the police began to call its witnesses; and as one after the other g1. peared and told his or her story, Mr. ngg t‘s anxious face _h__,. «M-.. u..;..1- unu v. 1.»; -.v.,, -- . grew more aqxious and came-worn. Brick by brick. as It “gene. the solicitor for the Treasury was bulldmg up the case against, Lox-d Gaunt. First cpme the page, who told how he had let 311 Misc Deane. Then Jane, who aim admlcted Lord Gaunt and the deceas- ‘IIs Misa Deane here?” asked the coro- ner. ‘ Mr. Boaketb rose with the leisurely air which markqd h‘igh terrihlq keenness. “,,,, ,:_n 1.- -_.a.z nun; ALAIN..qu u. “I appbar for brie; fieiéizfi” her said CHAPTER XXXI.â€"(Continued). Her Great Love; CHAPTER XXXII. 0r. Jamesfies- Then Mr. Morgan Thorpe was called He Ld retamed. was a piteous spectacle. The usually . pleasant and youthful face was haggard u see. Mr. 1 and drawn; his eyelids were swollen. and under-tone, I Ins lips tremulons and pa 9. He had been that can beldrinlgmg, but not enough to steady his 3 shook hlfiéehakmg hands and voice. As he raised 1 verynbad. ' his eyes 35nd glanced round the court with here? and a, shrinkmg look. Bobby could scarcely lent gentlc- believe that. It was the same man who Bane- only a few days ago had swaggered and _ ruffled it with such self-aeaumnce. Every 10 said. 'I answer had to be draggr‘d out of him. Yes, V the deceased was hm sister. She was met- llsby," saxd rled, secretly. to Lord Gaunt, who mar- vaice. “He 1‘in her under the name of Barnard. Had Mershon lg not known Harvard’s real name and time. an c'in not. His sister and her husband ha-ix ae aratpa case looks ‘soon after the marrlage, and she ad 11v- will do allI ed with him. the broth-0r, elncelthen Her 1.” husband had disappeared, qnlte disap- e‘lmixmrlee.‘ cared. She had not seen him, to his, ‘veeses; and» organ Thorpe‘s kpcrwledge. between the ed and told hour of their partmg and the mght of mxious face the murder~ worn. Brxck‘r Riv- Jamee looked up. , ltor for the “Do not usehthe word ‘murder. Mr. :aeo against, Thorpe," he cald, sharply. "The Jury have not yet given their verdct.“ ' old how he Morgan Thor-powered at hlm resent. Jane, who fully the deoeae- (1'11; was murder, foul and cowardly mur- er_.. . She had not enter . A little later, it. might be half an hour, Lord Gaunt had come down the corridor from one of the other roome, and passed her on ma way out. She was talking to the porter in the lift. Lord Gaunt had no overcoat. b‘ae ‘hadv felt ashamed at being caught goasinv mug, and had run away into the kitchen. No ‘one else came that night. They waited fhr Mr. Deane until past, eleven; then went to bed. She had looked into the room to see to the fire, but had not, noticed any o“e there, or seen anything unusual 1n the morning she found the deceased lying on lthe couch as the doctor had described. She was dead; there was a wound right above her heart, and the dagger, Which the policeman showed her now. was lying “Thank you, sir.” said Mr. Boskett. "I have at present, only to state that Miss Deane is very ill and quite unable to by here. She is, in fact, uremuscious, and 1 produce the doctor‘s certificate.” “I doubt your locus standi." interrupted the coroner, "but go on." He handed it in ‘and sat down. The coro- ner read it, and nodded gravely for the thnese to proceed. , She was there, in the room. when Lord Gaunt had entered, and Jayne had heard their vmces talking together. Then the deceased had arrived. No, she did not usher her into the drawi“g~room. The lad; inquired for Mr. Deane, and on being told that ne‘was not in «he had said she would go and sit down and wait for him, and ~26 she knew the way, Jane need not trouble. She had seen the deceased and Lord Gaunt together: but she had heard them talk- ing, and once~here she hesitated for a momentâ€"they were sper king so loudly there was a. kind of cry~that she knock eduat 1mg door thinking qhg‘wj‘as pained.” Jane told her stay] very well. She had mer tea in {gr M163 Deane, and she had not seen her smce. I So also had Wilkins. the butler from Mquet‘s. He earned the grim story a paint further by telling how he had sent the luggage to Southamptonl but. had heard Lord. Gaunt, whnn leavmg in the morning, direct the cabman to drive to ‘Gharingflross. Had remarked that Lord i Gaunt did not 'wear his fur coat when he Heturnpd the preceding night, and had been mformed by Lord Gaunt that he mag left, it at his club1 on the floor. 111a portrait was lying smashed in the fire-place. The deceased was covered by a fur coat. Yes. it was the masterfs. Lord Gauv‘t’s; but she was certain. qu1te, quite certain, that he could not. have done it. The coroner ampped her with unlined hand. The solicitor {or the Treasury ask- ed a. few questions of small details, and then Sir James rose. _ "You heard no cry for help, miguor thiqkipg?_" _ _ “W553; 605 voice, not Lord Gaunt/s. ;;-§he”deceabed asked for Mr. Deane?" es. "Have you ever seen the deceased be- fore?" “Gr-1'1; 'loud talking; the deceas- “Oh, yes," said Jane. "She had dined with Mr. Deane at, a dinner-parry with Mr. Thor e and Mr. Trevor. No. she had never be ore seen Lord Gaunt with the dpceased Did not know that, he wvs mar- rled; didn't. quite believe it even now." Mr. Boskett, got up, and in the hottest and blandest, of voices asked: “Now, will you tell us-don‘t be afraid -you heard voices at vrrious times mat, evening. Did you hear Miss Deane's voice afterâ€"mind. afterâ€"the deceased had en- tergd the room?" - “No,” said fdne. "Thpre were only two voxces after that, the deceased’s and Lord uaunt’s." “Oh. yes, sir; I'm-sure the young Iady doesn’t know anything about, It. She is fab; sweetestâ€"” 7 ."Yes, sir; I think she must. because I dldn’t see her go afterward; and, of course. I was waiting to be run for to let the visitors out, as uspaL': The coroner stopped her again, and Mr. Boskett, with an encowraging smile and a glance at the jury, murmured audibly: “No one suspects her!" Then, acud, he said: "Now, tell me, you found the inner door of the drawing-room locked? On tne bedroom side?” s “Yes, sir.” “And no one entered the drawing-room. so far as {on know. after the deceased? You must ave heard themâ€"" 811‘ James rose. .“Really, that macaroer a. fair ques- txpn,” he said.“ VIV‘Kfi-dmyou did not. see Miss Deane leave the Mansions? She might have left a few minutes after the deceased had en- “We want all the information we can get." remarked Mr. Boskett, b‘landly. The coroner nodded, and Jane said: “No; no one had come in afterwar "And now, did you notice anything pe- culiar in Lord Gaunt’s-manner when he pafiggd you in the corridor on hm way 011 Jane hesitated. “‘His lordship looked upset andâ€"and wor- med. sir-1' téred?" “A1121 mxss Deane asked. for her brother andfinot for LordirGaunt?" _ “He knows something,” whispered Mr Belford to Sir James. Sir James did not move a muscle. J ane hesitated, and look- ed distressed. “"Ffiéreltfiéié 3i? blood on his wrist. band." - ’ w“(30mm épfiéak out," said Mr. Boskett, gently and peraaqsive‘y. and Jane. with aulglnd of__»sob. Bald: _ ‘ 7A "thrill ran through the crowd. Mr. Boskett glanced at ,the jury in a casual mug of way. “The porter was with you as Lord Gaunt, passed? ’ “Yes,” said Jane. And she was allowed toistand down. ' The porter was next called, and gave his evidence clearly. So far as he knew, no one had entered Lord Gaunt’s flat after the decreased, “A’ngrfifiuz peculiar about his dress? mink!" 7 "Yearlwliéideaunt had looked haggard and u get; and he, the porter, had noticed the bqod-qtaiin on the wxjist-band. fifhévéi‘m’vd’éichnhge’d glances, and mur- mgred gggmficantly m “Silence!” said the coroner. sternly. “Conflne yourself to a. statement of what you actually know." Sir James rose. “You say. Mr. Thorpe. that. so far a. no sore am- "Mbrgran Thorpe Ir‘érige'dr hié head and staged at him jnsoyently. ‘my~my poor sister was in want of money. Sheâ€"she thought, Mr. Deane would lend it to hera" His voids grew inaudible. Bowy hun his head as every eye 111 count. was irected to him. “may iia’ké'i‘fi’tfia‘iyBiTéent her on thia errand?" 33111 811' James ou may take it as you please.” be said, defiantly. “That, is sufficient,” said Sir James, gravely. Mr. Boskofl» rose. “One moment, Mr. Thorpe. Were you aware of the real name and rank of the deceased’s husband? on, don’t hesitate. please!" be added, with the first note of sharpness in ms voice; and Thorpe nod- you are aware, your sister did not know the whereabouts of Lord Gaunt?” "She did not; I swear it." “lou knew she was going to Prince‘s mansions fihe‘lnigh‘t of“ mg 61m?” Thorpe hesitated. Could he venture to den 1t? As he pausad, Sir James care- leesy picked up a blue paper from the table, and Morgan Thorpes eyes dropped. “I knew it." Sir James handed him the bill. "This was found in the pocket of the deceased. It is a. bill, unsigned. for two hundred pounds. Can you explain 1.- I‘horpe glanced at Bobby, and his face went white. Thorpe looked round like a hunted ani- mal seeking for some means of escape. “Iâ€"L did. I thought it- best." ‘ Mr. Boskett turned his (glittering eyes upon him. “Din not Lord Gaunt undertake to p_a.y you a sum of money to keep his identlty secret? Answer, please." The repr was scarce y audible. “Good. Now, Mr. Thorpe, you remember a, certain scandal in. Paris in the summer of 18â€"? A scandal 1n whmh a lady nge gonigt’arned. Was not, that lady your als~ er "Yes," said Moran Thorpe; and Mr. qukett, tumor!~ to the jgrx. “Yes? Ahd you kept. your knowledge from your; Bifitef?" . r r k ‘ W1 may, max}; mime to this mat- ter, but, I desire to show the cause of Loggi,GaAunt’e»de§¢rtiqq of his wife.” ' “Noâ€"t deseriidu!” éa’id SirWJ‘amesquuick- 1y. a “Separation, it'you like!" said Mr. Boa. kett. “In a. word, Mr. Thorpe, did not, Lord Gaunt separate from his wife because he discovered certain fact-a in connection with her life before her marriage?" Morgan Thorge moistened his lips. 7'11 any one as been payingâ€"" he be- gan; but the coroner interrupted him. “Painful as this queatiou must be to you. Mr. Thorpe. you must, answer it." “Well. yesâ€"so he said," replied Thorpe. “And these facts you concealed from him? Did you conceal from him this other fact, that you had sufi"red three months' imprisonment for fraud committed two years before you made his acquaintance?” “Where did he get all this?" asked Sir James, testlly, of Mr. Fe ford. while the c031}; _was waiting 01;; Thog‘pe‘p reply. "'71? :"Tim'iii'éfiinfifi Ed’h‘a’vihg'hfi my past life raked up for the amusement of algpowdâ€"" pa!!th Mgrg‘an Thorpe. “Answer, sir!" said ’the coroner, stern- lyx; agld Thorpe's livid lips formed the " es. “Did you conceal the idpntity of he“ hus- band, and his whereabouts, from the de- ceased because you feared his violence if they should meet?” asked Mr. Boekett in ggutle tones. “‘71 fifié‘fifiigfi'eud W1L13"§o{1?' "1114 ‘sa‘i‘dww'nh that air of satisfaction which a clever counsel can make so _telling. One or two other witnesses were called. and the doctors who had been summoned iter the discovery of the body were reâ€" called ‘by Mr. Basket-t. “Yes, I did!” he said, with a suppressed eagerness. “‘Gaunt was a violent man, one of the hottest-tempered men I have eyetr met. I wanted to protect my poor are erâ€"" It was scarcely a permissible questim. and Sir James was on his feet in a mo- ment; but Thorpe had got his answer out, beiqre hesqllld. be $913983; ‘ (The coroner stopped him: but it was too late. The jury had got, the impression MrL Basket?) VhVardidesirred tougive themu _“I wish to ask Lhese gentlemen a quen- hon, sir," he said to the coroner. “TN; young lady. Miss Deane, who is now, I reâ€" gret to say. lying unconscious 931d seri- ously ill, is unfortunale oomwcted with wig case by one of those accidents to which we are all liable. I do not think that, the slightest suspicion had _be=n directed toward her; but, neverLbelersâ€" perhaps because I feel it my d"ty to pro‘ tect her from any further suspicionâ€"1 de- sire to ask a question on her beha f. I ask you, Islr”â€"he turned to the first do”- torâ€"“if in your opinion it would be pos- sible for a young girl to have lifted and placed the body on the couch. as it was discovered ?” “No; certainly not," was the reply: and the Renaud doctor reneated the a-rswor. ' “No; certainly not," was the reply: and the second doctor repeated the arswor. ' Then the ooroner wnund up; and. 2s wzth the skill of exnerience he lbkrzd the evidence together. Bright and Bobby PM. as if a chain were being wound round Gaunt. The crowd listened with breathlnss at- tention to every word, and when he had See that bag gf cenéat yo}: buy hem the "Canada" labelâ€"it i: of sathfactian. The only building matefial that has not increased in price is CANADA Portland CEMENT Canada Cement Company Limited, Montfeal Wrx'lefir afm top} aflbe 509k “ W124! flu VFamer Can Do With Car-craft. " dow. pos- and was and i with hungry impatience. The jury did not leave the box, but ' athered together and whispered for a. dew; minutefi, then pronounced the ver- > 10 . They found Edward Barnard Gaunt. Earl of Gaunt, guilty of wi.fu1 murder of his wife Laura. , Mr. Bright. rose white and trembling. Bobby let his head fall in 1118 hands. Some ’oue touched mm on the arm, and looking up, he saw Mershon beslde him.‘ I (To be continued.) Finished, turned thei} eyes upon the Jury I If Your Heart is Weakâ€"Prevents Tendency to Hurry. Walking upstairs backward was urged by a London physician 'as a useful practice in case of heart weakness and as helping in a more equal distribution of muscular wear and tear. WALsK UPSTAIRS BACKWARD. I "‘Firstly and most important,” he said, “walking upstairs back; wards would prevent any tendency to hurry. No matter how inveter- ate a ‘stairâ€"rush’ a, man might be, he would have to moderate his page The originator of the worldâ€"famous method of teaching kinder-garb children. She is in America, and will deliver lectures in differen cities with the aid of an interpreter, and brings with her motion film which will show how the work is carried on in the Houses. of Child~ hood in Rome. Dr. Montessori is the first woman who ever studied medicine in Italy." It wars ERA-1: 533551322; lieilirmitted to entefi the College of Medicine in Rome byVo-nly giving her initials to the‘ aufhoria’ties, who believed her to be a male student, w"? she permit-t ted to pursue her studies. She originated her unique method of early; education for children in 1907. THE ‘ORIGINATOR OF THE MONTESSOBI METHOD. Dr. Maria Montessori, Famous Kindergarten Teacher. ‘ Patientâ€"“He {old me to come and see you, 311‘!” if going backwards. This enforced. deliberation would, of pourse, be of great value in heart dlsease. “The second effect would be to relieve the strain f'om‘the ordinal ary walking and climbing muscles (those on the front of the thigh), and to press into sery’ce those on‘ the back of the leg, “ hich ‘ordinara ily do no work in climbing stairs. The total result, therefore, might be a saving in muscular wear and tear through a more economical distribution of effort. This, of course, would also be of value in; cases of heart weakness." Patientâ€"~“I.went to see the chem-. ist in our village/’7 V A _ ‘ Dentistâ€"“Have you been any.‘ Where else 1” Dentistâ€"“Ana what idiotic adx vice did he give you 7” Good Advice.