A Heart's Bitterness — page 241: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 233 ‘« Not merely for her sake but for the sake of many. I have from boyhood known Loid Leigh. I am fond of his little son. Asapeer of England I regret to see the honor of an ancient family impugned. As a man, I regret to see people going wrong, moving on a disastrous way. I see here, in Mr. Kemp, a man who, by years of industry, has accumulated a handsome fortune, and who has the respect of his friends in Australia. I regret to see such a man enter upon a scheme that may, and no doubt will, utterly ruin him. You, Miss Hope, are one whom I should with sorrow see a ruined woman, a convicted criminal. I come to-day to warn you of the probable outcome of this suit. Will you accept my warning?” : ‘* We rely upon the law, which protects English witnesses in the statement of truth,” said Helen. ‘‘We found out facts, and we made them known to the right parties. We fear nothing.” Keith turned to Kemp. ‘“Do you reflect what you maydo? If you are fearless for yourself, do you consider that you are betraying this - lady to a terrible doom?” . “What?” cried Kemp, flashing crimson and leaping to his feet. ‘* What?” ‘‘'To transportation!’ said Keith, calmly, ‘‘ for ten, fif- teen, or twenty years, or for life, according to the pleasure of the judge. Your case being aggravated, for life, prob- ably.” What in fury do you mean?’ shrieked Kemp, ‘‘ What crime do you charge on us,on me? We'can prove all that we say.” — You will be poorly off if you cannot. The crime I refer to is forgery.” - Po not try to frighten us,” said Helen, advancing be- tween the paling Kemp and Lord Keith. ‘‘The pride of this sham countess and sham earl shall be laid low. We defy you, Lord Keith?” | | At this instant Keith was called from the room to see Mr. Storms, the lawyer. “T followed you here,” he said, ‘to tell you that I have discovered that money is not this man’s object. He has twenty thousand invested in three per cents. Also, I ap- ‘ proached him through athird party, and he utterly refuses — tosell out. I think the instigator is the woman; and if (eco) comicbooks