Jess of the Rebel Trail

d on her lap. Her surroundings were by no means in keeping with her dejected manner. The room was cosy and lavishly furnished, while the shaded electric reading-lamp cast

om in a private hospital, lying weak and helpless from the ordeal through which she had passed. It all came back to

d and announc

he woman before the fire declare

the ma

d not say anything more. I wi

en it was suddenly pushed open and a man entered. Without a word, he stepped past her and glided across the room toward the fire.

d. "How dare you come here

ed, so the woman was lef

d her, as he moved closer to the fire and stretc

oman ordered. "Don

ght. Don't you

led as he rubbed

oman retorted. "I would like to see

was somewhat chubby, and when the mouth was expanded by the almost incessant smile the cheeks were wrinkled like corrugated iron. His head was bald, save for a few tuf

in demanded. "How dare you c

his back to the fire brought forth a package of ci

smoke, do you?" he asked.

plied. "I hate smoking. I n

come to see you to-night on very important business, and when

aw you before, and I have not the slightest

and when I learned that you would see no one to-nigh

ld see no one to-night? Were

that I am able to read people's thoughts, though doors

smiled. "Yes," he continued, "I even read your

grew wide with fear and amaz

etween; that has been

nd-bet

them with mental food, books of the first-water. They

u want to sell me some books, I suppos

ily, and flicked the ashes fr

ous as formerly for pure literature. There are too many counter attractions. This being so, I find i

o give you some m

ed. "But remember, I come not as a beggar, neither as a

med. "What do you mean? I owe you nothi

night as you sat here. Your thoughts were in the past, to anot

She was sitting bolt upright, her hands gripping ha

you know?"

Although I know all, y

rical laugh and sank back in her chair. What did this stranger know? she wondere

our sudden appearance and strange words have rather unsettled me. What do you mean by referr

knowledge, it is only necessary to mention the name o

he woman's face sho

irl who exchanged the babie

reply. She sat staring

my knowledge is there?" the

fter all these years I should be thus confronted in my own hou

ed her to exchange your little baby boy for a girl which was born in the hospital o

woman pleaded. "

e. You were thinking about

the woman buried h

she lifted

he asked in a hoarse

e interested i

w, yet I always see him as the little babe I held to my breast. If you know whe

n questioned. "She must be a comfort to you

red. I thought so once, fool that I was. But I know better no

no word from him

know the woman's name

ever want

orance. It would do you no good now to learn anythin

won

not

here to-night to infli

increase the agony of m

ured enoug

old you. Therefore, when one door closes another opens. I am not a man to let a good opportunity of

at?" the woman a

pose you don't want

usband and daughter think? Why, I

nd the man smiled blandly upon his victim. He was succeeding much better th

and the woman lo

ou make it worth while. I a

ooked keenl

o be paid for keeping silent?" s

, remember, and if I cannot make a living at my regular pr

p. Are you not afraid

d! Of

an's face plainly showed that she und

ry fortunate. I have nothing to fear, as you would do

not accede to your

to find out, madame. Are yo

our price? Tell me quick, and let us ge

ou are. My price is very moderate, considering the favo

The woman gasped as sh

scoundrel, and

im what he was called. It was all in the way of business, so he told himself. Then he picked

s, you will consider it very cheap, and would be willing to give far more. But it may be too late t

he fire-place, but th

realise that I must give you someth

t tax-payers in this city, and in your own name at that. Why, I am astonished at myself for my mo

Grimsby never took his eyes from her face. He was qu

own before a handsome writing-table. When she at last came back to the fire-place she was holdi

this I want you to promise upon your word of hon

and upon his heart in a dramatic manner. "I shall make myself as scar

r breathe a word o

ecret, madame, I shall

ok came into her eyes, as she turned apprehensively toward t

red, "and leave the house a

and disappeared. Trembling violently, the woman sank down in the chair and bu