Part 109 (1/2)

”Take me away,” she murmured to Philips

But Philips would not

”Cheer up, old wo to fear now That devil won't hurt you”

”Now, in my deep interest in you, and in my affection, I tried to find out what this meant The nurse and I often talked about it She told me that your father never cared particularly about you, and that it was strange for your clothing to be reatly troubled her I made many inquiries I found out about the Manilla murder case From that moment I suspected that 'D'

ony of suspense Brandon and Despard stoodfurther

”This is what I tried to solve I ave it up So when circuain I have always been baffled There is only, one who can tell--only one She is here, in this room; and, in the name of God, I call upon her to speak out and tell the truth”

”Who?” cried Despard, while he and Brandon both looked earnestly at Mrs

Cohetti; and his voice seemed to die away from exhaustion

Mrs Co than usual She gasped for breath ”Oh, Lord!” she cried ”Oh, Lord! Spare me! spare me!

He'll kill me!”

Brandon walked up to her and took her hand ”Mrs Compton,” said he, in a calm, resolute voice, ”your timidity has been your curse There is no need for fear noill protect you The man whom you have feared so many years is now ruined, helpless, and miserable I could destroy him at this moment if I chose You are foolish if you fear him Your son is with you His arm supports you, and I stand here ready to protect both you and your son Speak out, and tell what you know Your husband is still living He longs for your return You and your son are free froo back to him and live in peace”

Tears fell from Mrs Compton's eyes She seized Brandon's hand and pressed it to her thin lips

”You will protect me?” said she

”Yes”

”You will save ony

”Yes, and from all others like hi to the ar breath She looked up into his face as though to gain courage, and then began

It was a long story She had been attendant and nurse to the wife of Colonel Despard, who had died in giving birth to a child Potts had brought news of her death, but had said nothing whatever about the child Colonel Despard knew nothing of it Being at a distance at the time, on duty, he had heard but the one fact of his wife's death, and all other things were forgotten He had not even made inquiries as to whether the child which he had expected was alive or dead, but had at once given way to the grief of the bereavens on Colonel Despard, Potts feared that the knowledge of the existence of a child ht keep him in India, and distract his mind from its sorrow Therefore he was the more anxious not only to keep this secret, but also to prevent it fro known to Colonel Despard

With this idea he hurried the preparation of the _Vishnu_ to such an extent that it was ready for sea almost immediately, and left with Colonel Despard on that ill-fated voyage

Mrs Compton had been left in India with the child Her son joined her, in corown man Months passed before Potts ca with the child to China, and left the latter with a respectable wo, as theof a British naval officer The child was Beatrice Despard

Potts always feared that Mrs Coe his secret, and therefore always kept her with hiree, the wretched woman was in constant fear for her life, and as years passed on this fear was not lessened The sufferings which she felt from this terror were atoned for, however, by the constant presence of her son, who remained in connection with Potts, influenced chiefly by the ascendency which this villain had over a ht theland, and they had lived in different places, until at last Brandon Hall had fallen into his hands

Of the former occupants of Brandon Hall, Mrs Co Very little had ever been said about the about them, except that their names were Brandon, and that they had suffered misfortunes

Finally, this Beatrice was Beatrice Despard, the daughter of Colonel Despard and the sister of the clergyhter of Potts, had been one of his victims, and had suffered not the least at his hands