erful will is less persistent. There is a more refined,
discriminating sense of subtle distinctions.

Oswald Langdon will not renew former suit. Not yet may he face the world
an unsuspected man. The death of Alice Webster still remains a mystery.
Her murderer, escaping farcical arrest, is now at large. The agencies
employed to unravel this triple conspiracy seem ineffective. He will not
pose as suspected murderer of an innocent girl. Until this mystery is
cleared, he will not think of marriage with Esther Randolph. This grand,
pure-minded, cultured girl shall not blush as wife of a supposed villain
whose hands seem crimson with human blood. He can live and wait and plan
and suffer, if need be, to the end of life, a lone wanderer, but no
woman shall blush for his reputation.

Oswald feels no sense of present concern for maternal solicitude, but
wonders at such marked indifference.

While much pleased at knowledge that Oswald Langdon escaped the
murderous assault by Paul Lanier, and fully believing in Oswald's
absolute innocence of crime, Sir Donald is alive to the situation. There
can be no possible doubt as to the mutual sentiments of Esther and
Oswald. That now these would grow stronger is the inevitable logic of
events.

Oswald's supposed death under such mysterious circumstances tends to
intensify Esther's memories of the past. That all such tender
recollections, augmented by romance of last few days and renewed
associations, would be an irresistible magnet between these two
dissimilar, yet mutually attracting souls, Sir Donald cannot doubt.

Nor does his mature judgment recoil at the issue. All fatherly
intuitions approve of such choice. Every physical, ethical, and domestic
consideration favors this union. Under other circumstances, this
discreetly indulgent father could tenderly yield his beloved child to
such a suitor.

Yet not only shall this union of young hearts be prevented, but
association must cease. What explanation can Oswald Langdon offer the
world for the disappearance of Alice Webster, or for his own strange
conduct? It matters not that Sir Donald and Esther have no doubts of
Oswald's honor. Nor will it suffice that this far-seeing, discriminating
father approves of Oswald's actions in the whole affair as almost
absolute necessities to the ends of justice. The conduct of this
unfortunate youth must be tested in a less friendly forum, before a
tribunal with penchant toward an exhaustive array of