Show peared to him tV " ’The child’s nurse!— no especial Interest In the njanor In the evening Lady Tregyou forget over private matter and should be enna was in the garden a very small that the child Is dead’ she returned glad terhave you retire” I answered ” ‘Never mind that face grew crimson Tregenna' "I child was toddling by her side She "I’ll do nothing of tbe kind” he rePay attention see you observe what I notice my- came forward and greeted me cord- to me’ he rejoined ‘and I will give turned sullenly "The fact Is ially self” be exclaimed “Do as you please" I responded you five hundred poiinds In addition "it is so good of you to come” she for your help’ there Is no accounting for women I "After all wbat I bave differently thought that she would have been said As she spoke she made an "He then proposed to her that she got to a&y may interest you aa well wild about the lad but as a matter of effort to smile I was shocked at the should conceal the fact of the baby’s as this( woman Sir John Tregenna fact she Isn’t Not that she neglects change in her apepaarnce There death from me for the present but ha returned and is at present wKh She sees that were heavy shadows under her eyes him far from that he would cable Sir John In Doctor his supposed heir Lady Tregenna in the Lift be is well looked after and has him the eyes looked now much too big Mason’s name that he was the father has told Stranjt ExpcricnctC me everything from her point a “Doctor brought to her once or twice dally for the face the face was worn to of a fine boy Meanwhile a living of view It is my conviction that ahe but she never peta him I sometimes emaciation When I touched the child could be substituted In the de&d ha been deceived And—” B y A T MEAD think I bore her by the delight which hand she offered me it burned as one’s place He knew where he could “I shall tell you all you want to the possession of the child causes though Its owner was consumed by procure a baby The fact of Doctor know sir” laterupted the nurse me but there— we will say no more Inward fever At this moment the Collett’s death would make the certifiAt these unexpected words Dayrell about it I am keeping you up and same nurse I had s:en a year ago cate of birth wonderfully simple He turned t pale’ He looked at the wom(Copyrlfbt by W O Chapman) must carInto be came the took and tired” view child undertake that the dead child an viciously and made a step for I made the acquaintance of 81r John self I only wish we were there tiw youHe conducted me to my room bade ried him away At Lady Tregenna’s would would be disposed of without remark ward aa though to strike her i Halifax" Treganna when that me good night and left me I went to request I accompanied her to one of This scheme was duly carried Into "Stand back you plotting bound" The next morning Tregenna sailed scientist waa- visiting New York where we seated the window and flung It wide open the effect and when I was made acquaint- I said to bim savagely and stepped to company with hia wife He waa for England but It so happened that steal ourselves a to downlonging Suddenly the with I knew between true ed facts him and the nurse His hand I had I did not leave India for several welted with a aerere attack of appenIn am and "I confide she out ramble to a stairs about for go seized been lavishing my affection on the dropped and be moved a pace from months dicitis and It waa to an operation During that time I was con- me No sooner did the notion come said slowly “for I am badlyyou" In need of some stranger for over a fort- me baby friend cerned eleventh to hour that me my hear the special at by yerfonned to me than I acted upon It The of advice I want you to promise that night Wbat my feelings were when T am a widow with one child said that he owed hla recovery We grew Dr Collett who had sent me the house was already shut up but I you will not divulge what I am going this revelation was made I cannot de- Mrs Hodgkins "When I came to His cipher cable had died suddenly to he warm friends having discovered to a side door which to tell you until I give you permis- scribe Dayrell attempted to console nurse the lady I happened to meet Mr death had taken place on the very day made my way that we had many tastes In common and let myself out I wansion" I unbarred me Dayrell before the birth of the child among others a liking for exploring on which I had received the message dered down the broad central avenue "I will respect your secret Lady ‘Don’t be a fool’ he said We were greatly attached to each Tou He spoke to me and expressed hit the mysteries of the skies For on the grass and not Tregenna" waa my reply In I waa walking want an hplr — your husband wants an disgust at tbe possibility of an hell and other and had been associated was a noted astronomer the "Thank you Doctor Halifax when noise when making slightest When tbe child arrived born InterIf being to of he heir believes you he tbe the proud possessor of one of the larg- more than one Investigation startled me They seemed to you were here last you mentioned the mother of his child he will be conthere were grave doubta at first as tf est Two days before I left Calcutta voices est telescopes In England be close by I stepped into a deep receipt of a cablegram from Doctor tent Dr Col You have the heir— and my whether be would survive Daring the following year I gave up for England I received the following shadow The first words I heard were Colett the contents of which puzzled lett had to leave the house shortl) silence can be bought’ practise except in' cases where I waa from Tregenna Well that cableyou exceedingly "Dear Halifax: I am given to un- in Lady Tregenna's tones "I was too weak to resist him and after his birth owing to an attack called In consultation I had resolved cannot go on with this much gram told the truth" "I him of Illness later which carried the in back will be cm taking a good long rest and paying derstand that you the nurse and yielded to the dastardcired "The truth!” I exclaimed “I cannot scarcely He and metropolis some time In June I hope longer Dayrell” she From that hour I bave off After hla departure Mr Dayrell m promised visit to Tregenna ly scheme give you what you ask for I able to credit what I heard no peace of mind Dayrell has came to me and asked me bow th( known his wife were then at their London as soon as ever you arrive you will possibly "Yes It was true I will tell you have not got it Here If you must I told him be was In 1 baby was me to a frightful extent blackmailed residence and I was surprised and come straight down to Tregenna have It take this ring it is of great all about It I was married to Sir I have sold nearly all my Jewels to bad way but there was a chance foi pleased to find that Sir John num- Manor I want to show you the boy value If be misses it from my finger John ten years We believed that him to pull through and hurried back bered among his Intimate friends a He Is as fine a lad aB the heart of a I can but tell him another lie” satisfy his demands The nurse and to but should have we never an heir attend to him An hour after thi man know the truth They promDayrell Is still Soreucr great chum' of mine— Dr Hor- father could desire I saw her hand something to a man two years ago I found I was about to the ise secrecy only so long as I can child waa breathing freely and all The latter had studied In the country and sometimes visits who stood near then ace Collett she turned ab- became a mother My husband was I was danger was over at the Manor but with my heir to look I have demands' engaged Is soedfcfne with me but later bad their supply paid but It chanced that he overjoyed In short I ruptly and walked back to the house hadfn London where his brilliant tal- at I no longer mind him Dayrell thousands of pounds since attending to him when that villain As soon as she had left him the man arranged for the expedition to the birth of the child As for Sir came to the bedroom door and called ents and American push earned him breathe freely to in India took and leave I which the turned made you grounds part me He offered to pay m outside Yours John he suspects nothing He is place in the front rank of the British He found It Impossible to resign his post up my mind to follow him John Tregenna" He was the medical fraternity wrapped up in the boy and of late £500 if I would act on his suggestion I was altogether unprepared to re- reached a stile which he mounted He had to leave me to his Inexpres- It Is with difficulty that I can get bim and send a message to Dr Collett that physician and was and which led direct Into the 'high sible anxiety My child was born in to return to his Sir John ceive a letter written in this strain wioch esteemed' by them old interests in scien- the child bad died I believe that bli Still I London I was very ill at Its birth tific road my distance first Intention was to send the living I never saw pursuits had been married several years but In view of what I bad heard from Co- did the same keeping Presently In the ex- and for some time afterward was un- like his passion for the baby anything On the child away and substitute a dead child This fpct might pos- llett I had preserved the cablegram had no children I conscious he of came treme When to the my quiet In Its 'place night stopped which he was confident and now took It and read it over careto Scotland husband went my day sibly account for the gloom which enIf he were listening The be- senses the nurse whom I had overshadowed his features fully There was no doubt whatever still as that wretch came to me and demand- he could procure I needed the monej It stat- lated moon arose at that instant ana gaged was standing by the bedsid-e- ed two thousand pounds I have not badly and consented to bis borrlblt bnr ha owned a large property In Corn- of the meaning of the words sent a message to tin I ed had suggestion clearly that Lady Tregenna the money— what am I to do?" wall bearing the name of Tregenna "You must not on any account yield doctor to say that the baby bad died and as this was according to given birth to a boy who had died to fresh attempts at blackmail” I Almost immediately afterward a mes English law strictly entailed It would after an hour of life I could only said “I confess that I cannot see sage came to say that Dr Collett had go to a distant branch of the family wait for the mystery to unravel Itself I resolved to accept the invitation exat present how to save you without died suddenly and that another physl 9 he died without Issue About tbla time a total eclipse of tended to me and in due course of telling Sir John the truth but I clan would be sent to attdfcd on Lad) On bearing this news Mr should like to think over matters On Tregenna She son was expected to take place time I arlved at Cornwall He saw Sir John met me at the station All the face of it I cannot see why Day- Dayrell completed hts plot fa Ceylon and Southern India rell Tregenna should wish to supply there was now no necessity to fetch never seen the great world of light his taciturnity and gloom had left him— he was now a talkative and Sir John with an heir when the another baby Dr Collett’s deatl wader these Interesting circumstances bad matters When cheerful Lad) him man simplified I gladly accepted an Invitation from property would come to failing Tregenna was sufficiently strong she “The boy is In splendid form HalIssue after your husband's death” Tregenna to join a party of solar ifax” he cried as he wrung my hand who were starting for In"I can explain that” said Lady was to be told that the real baby had dia ander his leadership We arrived “and Lady Tregenna is also In fine Tregenna "He and my husband are died and that another had been sub In Its place very much tbe same age but my hus- stltuted at err destination In good time and health You will see her for yourself “ 'As 1 can no longer Inherit the band’s is In reality a better life than had the satisfaction of witnessing a la a few moments” The baronet whipped up his horses his Dayrell Is penniless or nearly property’ said Mr Dayrell ’the onl) total eclipse of nearly six minutes’ and soon afterward we drew up in so he hara married beneath him ana thing left to me to do is to maka ITpvlng made our observations front of the fine old mansion has a large family At intervals he money I will make thousands out ol Lady In the hill country we Immediately has dreadful bouts of drinking and It that unlucky child Her ladyshij afterward started for the coast On a Tregenna was standing on the steps Is altogether likely that in the natural will believe that he Is not her own terrain Intensely hot night Tregenna a nurse a little behind her bolding a course of things Sir John would out- and I shall blackmail her to any ex swd I were standing on the veranda baby In her arms "Well Kate” called out her huswwtslde one of the big hotels at Madlive him Therefore he concocted the tent' He paid me ol “And so be did band “here 13 our old friend Halifax scheme for the sole purpose of raisras when he said abruptly: course but no money was worth the Now Halifax "! am rather worried about my wife Bring the lad along ing ready cash” 1 saw "You must have patience and allow what do you think of him eh?" Halifax" misery I endured my pool me to act for you now” I said not Lady Tregenna in good “It mistress fading before my eyes sht "He Is indeed a fine boy” I rehas been my good fortune to get peo- could not love tbe child that she be health?" I queried marked to Lady Tregenna "Curious1 hope so" he said slowly and then I chanced to be in the ple out of difficulties nearly as bad lleved was not her own At last ly enough Ob I am glad you bave had began to fear for her reason as yours added with a sudden burst of conf- same hotel at Madras with your husthe courage to tell me the truth "The truth Is Halifax that band when he received idence: I what Is to be done?” Tbe womai the cablewill think things over and bave an- sobbed and I turned to speak to Daywhen I left England there was a hope gram announcing his birth” rell but he bad disappeared other talk with you tomorrow” (bat Lady Tregenna might present I surveyed the Infant clrtlcally He That night to my astonishment and It was a ac with an heir to the property "Lady Tregenna must of course boy with somewhat was Imperative that I should accom- large features but I could not detect disgust Dayrell Tregenna waa one know the truth” I said "but tbe quesof The would not at the guests or I dinner whole tion is whether Sir John Is to be la pany- this expedition the slightest likeness to either parent party went early to bed I spent an formed or not I think It would b have left home at such a critical time The nurse a grave womanxious and wakeful night The next cruel to tell him Your confessloo I expected news before now It was an with a dark face and thin comI will give Immense relief to your mis morning when I went downstairs arranged that Dr Collett was to cable pressed lips took the boy in her arms me was surprised to meet none other tress— and I believe Dayrell will conmakes silence here me Thq lo and vanished with him around a cor' than Sir John himself In tbe hall He sent to leave the country for bis own vpthcr uneasy” ner of the house shook hands with me cordially "Hali- sake Come with me to Lady Tregen He had scarcely finished speaking "Look after Halifax Kate” said fax of all people!” he cried "Yes I na" when a servant appeared bearing two Tregenna "I must go to the stables the wife turning suddenly be saw me He she held a beautifully dressed baby in have returned unexpectedly We went straight to her ladyshlp’i cablegrams on a salver One was but will Join you presently" not yet know that I am In the room 1 and waited for me to come up her arms She bent down and showed baited does to Tregenna the other to tapped at the door and wai Tregenna conducted me under E I noticed that be changed color a Lady "By Jove” he cried as I ap- me the little fellow then at a sign house but I have just sent a message admitted at once the nurse followthick arch of roses on to a small me from who she laid It by my side I to the nurse to bring the boy down you are as he took his from the salver Out lawn where she seated herself by a proached “I know — ing kissed It and was happy as mother Your name Is Halifax At that moment the nurse appeared you are a speof consideration for him I left the ver- little "I have come to tell you Lad) She motioned me to cial chum of the governor’s you came could he with the child He caught sight of anda and entered the heated room a seat near her Tregenna” I said "that you have “ ’Has Sir John been cabled to yet?’ his supposed father and rushed forto the manor I opened where we had Just dined been the victim of a terrible hoax “It Is strange” she said “that you I glanced at him his features were I asked ward to meet him crowing Joyously! It was from Collett should my cablegram The child is really your own Nurse husband with have been my him in his arms not unlike Sir John’s but they were and contained a “She replied that Mr Dayrell was Sir John clasped written In cipher tell your story" he he when received the message that much bloated as If with excessive In the house and only waited for my and turned to me with his face shingood deal of valuable Information reThe woman did so and Lady Tre was the father of a boy" It was Just then drinking Ills lips were thin and authority to send a cablegram ing with triumph garding certain discoveries In medigenna listened with alternate shades "There Is something else stranger" cruel his eyes too closely set tocine which corresponded closely with “‘Tell him to do so without an In- that I noticed something which I had of hope and fear coming and going failed to observe when I had seen the over scare I had made myself But the final I said Impelled by an unaccountable gether I made no response to his re- stant’s delay’ I responded face When Mrs Hodgher upon mark but continued impulse to force my Information to look at him In the message startled and disbaby a year ago The child now bore kins had pale was "I made finished her tale the mother a but recovery quick her "I also received a cablegram steadily an unmistakable and very striking tressed me: hysterically ' “Your “If you witnessed an Interview back astonished to see that Doctor Colett likeness to his father — his eyes smile laughed Sir John Tre- In cipher from my old friend Doctor “Thank God” she cried “I can love same night It gave there” he said harshly "you will do no longer attended me Another very and the sturdy why he held his shoulgenna Is disappointed of his hope of Collett on the the child he is really my own excellent physician— Doctor Mason — ders were an exact an hefr Lady Tregenna gave birth to false Information with regard to the well to say nothing to Sir John about came to see replica of Sir my baby” now me however and I did John a hoy this mofnlng who only lived an matter Collett told me that your It Lady Tregenna will find herself not We finally agreed that It was unthe truth When the suspect boy In a fine scrape if anything happens The Instant I made this discovery baty died shortly after Its birth" hour old the nurse came necessary for Sir John ever to know then to make me cut up rough Good night was a fortnight flushed crimson Her cheeks there flashed my mind a posSir John’s eager face the look in his to me one day and confessed what sible solution through “What an odd mistake to you” of the mystery Sir the real facts of the case Dayrell yes when he spoke of an heir to his turned pale He vanished down a side path and had really occurred A few moments John was so taken up with the baby left the country forever As to the property flashed painfully now before to make” she said' "That was absonurse she received a month’s wages Doctor of the birth after my baby then But foundation I slowly returned to the house that he paid no attetion to my moveI The blow he was lutely without my mental vision In lieu of notice but tbe remorse of ill and Collett had become seriously ments I went to the nurse about to receive was a cruel one I Doctor Collett died on the day of my kept my own counsel regarding the had been obliged to hurry away leav"I am anxious to have a word with her own conscience was the only other hod Jost thrust the cablegram into baby's birth lie may not have known meeting of Lady Tregenna and Dayaccorded to her punishment rell In the grounds nor did I see him ing the case with the nurse When you In private” I said' nay pocket when Tregenna rushed In- what he was cabling to you about" "I have not mentioned the matter again I returned to New York after he left the bouse the baby bad shown "Very well” she responded with a to the room Danger to 8urgeons a week’s visit and being much occu- signs of weakness and want of proper slightly startled look She walked Halifax" he gasped excitedly "I to anyone — ” I began but at that Two cases of Infection r circulation be its notable life thought might down the corridor and opened a side a scarcely contain myself the re- stant we heard Sir John's ?Ss in the pied bad little time to think about he saved however and Intended to re- door which led into a shrubbery by surgeons of Chicago while A year I am the father distance and Lady TregenSa mo- Tregenna’ private affairs did Is so Immense and celved performing operations and a number had passed away and I found myself turn again within half an hour As I followed od a fine hoy and the property Is tioned me to be silent of similar Infections In other parts of a matter of fact ten minutes after "I want to ask you a straight ques"Not a word to him” she said In an in London again this time as a deleoared” the are matters of Doctor Collett left the child died The tion” I said "I had an Interview morestate and nation error eager whisper 1 saw there was a serious "I would not let him gate from the American Medical as- nurse sent a than passing Interest These hasty message to the with your mistress yesterday somewhere but did not dare to tell know for the world He would think sociation to the International conven- doctor in fections waa him that the baby telling tion of surgeons and physicians then which she told me the history of the which occurred through the hands His It unlucky You will promise?" him the news I bad received Two hours afterward Bhe was dead child which she believes to be true some had been slightly perhaps In was so great that to dash "As I did not tell your husband at being held In the British metropolis cases Imperceptibly startled by getting a message to the What Is lacerated your name?” Ida hopes to the ground might almost the time I should have no reason for The business of the convention bad effect The problem of disinfection of the that Doctor Collett had died "Mrs Hodgkins" was the reply Kfl him the news now” I said just come to a close when 1 was sur- suddenly repeating bands by means of alcohol was reDayrell who had spent the a communication You do not realize what this means "His affection for the child is quite prised to receive "Well Mrs Hodgkins the whole In house tbe discussed was cently the Paris Acadby pacing is very strange Under ordinary from Lady Tregenna worded as fol- entire day to mm" he said "If I have an enemy touching” story Alcoholization emy of Medicine of up and down In the drawing-roocircumstances It would be my duty to tbe hands it was held la the world It Is the man who was That evening Tregenna took me lows: when she ran In to tell him what had should Inst "Dear Doctor Halifax: tell it to Sir John and to ask him for four minutes at least and to have succeeded me at the Manor Into his study and we spent a short Having be mads to bring a detective down from Lon- with alcohol of concentration His name Is Dayrell Tregenna But time examining the valuable photo- beard that you were attending the happened to of Sir said "‘This kill John’ he will don to probe the matter Hie coming of the boy makes it all graphs he bad taken in India of the medical convention I made haste to For in- 100 per cent Hands thus disinfected " ‘And Lady Tregenna for that matstance before believing the version remain Just before we parted write and Implore you to come down right I am surprised though to find aun's eclipse sterile fifteen to twenty min’They built which you and Mr Dayrell Chat Dr Collett did not send the cable Sir ter’ replied the nurse for the night be spoke again of his to the manor for a few day Tregenna utes This use of alcohol may be John Is in Scotland at present but I so much on that child’ R was sent by a Dr Mason Collett heir palmed off on Lady Tregenna there made without that of soap or previous mmdi not have been In attendance "Dayrell stood looking at her for a are some questions to be answered washing "So you think the boy a fine little have several firends staying In the I aha3 leave for home tomorrow Wish chap Halifax” he said "And Indy house and If you come I can promise few moments without speaking Where was buried the real baby to Pierre Delbet a noted French surore lock Halifax’ ’“You are not well off nurse? he whom ebe gave birth? Where did you to be you that you will not have a lonely Tregenna — she seems pleased geon is of the opinion that when the I am extremely anxious to con- queried at last With all my heart" I responded find the child who was substituted?” hands are his mother eh? — that strikes you too time soiled with cultures of sult you on a matter of vital ImpoBat the thought of the news which I suppose?” “Now what Is all this about?” said microbes with resistant “She admitted that she was not spores one "You are wrapped up In him at rtance lay fn my own breast pocket caused also that she had a sickly child of another voice ' can never be sure of sterilization He 3b wards to stick In my throat “Yours sincerely all events” was my evasive reply for I turned and saw Dayrell standing says that bis confidence In the possiher own who depended altogether on When yon come back to England to support It I bad noticed from the start that the "Kate- Tregenna” her- exertions before me He- looked more bloated bility of asepsis of the hands n must visit me at the Manor" he mother scarcely ever mentioned the The next day at an early hour I "’You shall stay on here at a high and disreputable so shaken that he no longer than ever darej to rentlnned “and see the child for your child and as far as I could see ap- - started for Cornwall and arrived at salary as the child’s nurse’ be said “I am talking wl'h Mrs Ilodgklna operate without gloves take cf f prw Is en hs |