Part 25 (1/2)

”I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse her own suspicions by some process of reasoning on her part, not by any suggestions of ours.”

”May I inquire whether those whom you consider her true parents are still living?”

”They both died many years ago.”

”Then, if her ident.i.ty could be proven beyond a doubt, would there be any one to give her such a home as she ought to have?”

”Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to give her such a home as very few have the good fortune to possess.”

”And have they never made any inquiry for her?” Miss Gladden asked in surprise.

”They have no idea that she is living; her parents died under peculiar circ.u.mstances, and she was supposed to have died at the same time.”

”Then ought we not,” said Miss Gladden thoughtfully, ”both for her sake and theirs, to let them know that she is living, and help them to find her?”

”Unless they could see her for themselves,” he replied, ”they would probably be rather skeptical, and require very positive proof regarding her claims, they have believed her dead for so many years.

But even though I may have known Lyle's mother, I am not in communication with her friends, and would not be the proper person to present her claims to them.”

For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching the play of the light and shade on the mountain side across the ravine, opposite the cabin, as the shadows cast by the light, floating clouds, followed each other in rapid succession.

Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at last spoke, it was with great deliberation:

”For a long time, as I have become more and more convinced of Lyle's ident.i.ty, I have been anxious to have her taken away from these surroundings, and placed in the home to which I believe she has a right; but without tangible evidence with which to establish her claims, and also to prove Maverick's guilt, I could think of no feasible plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure, and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at present. I will now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence, that I think before very long, the way will be opened for Lyle to find the home and friends that I consider are really hers. Through information given me in confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe to be most closely related to her and who would be most interested in her, did they know of her existence, will in all probability be out here on business this summer; if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be greatly disappointed.”

Miss Gladden's face expressed the delight she felt. ”Is it possible?”

she exclaimed, ”Why, I cannot conceive of anything lovelier! If she has been stolen all these years, and her people unconscious of her very existence, to have them appear on the scene, and recognize and claim her, will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some drama, where the wrongs at last are all made right. To think what happiness it will bring to them, to her and to us!”

Jack's face grew strangely serious. ”I shall be glad for her sake;” he replied, then added: ”Sometimes, Miss Gladden, wrongs are righted only at a terrible cost, and what seems to you like the closing of a peaceful drama, may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in it.”

Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different tone, as though to change the conversation:

”It will not be best to mention what I have told you to any one; there is no knowing what course Maverick might pursue if he had a hint of it, for he is a desperate man; but if there is any way in which Lyle's mind could be carried back and made to recall something of her past life, I wish it might be done.”

Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave. Having given a searching glance around the room, she turned toward Jack, saying wistfully:

”Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph which you allowed Lyle to see?”

For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, ”I am willing you should see it, but you must not expect me to say anything concerning that picture or myself. I have spoken to you in confidence regarding Lyle, but I can go no further.”

”I will not ask it,” she replied.

Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by a fine bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently handed it to Miss Gladden.

She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for some time intently studying the lovely face in every detail. When she returned the picture to Jack's hands, there were tears in her eyes, as she exclaimed, ”How beautiful! and how like Lyle!”

”I hoped she would see the resemblance,” he replied.