at happened the
little fair-haired creature. Before I had time to carry out the design
fate drifted her into my hands. I rescued her, at the risk of my own
life, from a watery grave. I gave out she was my wife, that the affair
might reach your ears, and you would believe the child willfully
eloped with me. I swear to you no impure thought ever crossed that
child's brain. I gave her a very satisfactory explanation as to why I
had started so false a report. In her innocence--it seemed
plausible--she did not contradict my words.

"Then you came upon the scene, charging her with the report and
demanding to know the truth.

"At that moment she saw the affair in its true light. Heaven knows she
was as pure as a spotless lily; but appearances were sadly against the
child, simply because she had not contradicted the report that I had
circulated--that she was my wife. Her lips were dumb at the mere
suspicion you hurled against her, and she could not plead with you for
very horror and amazement.

"When you left her she was stricken with a fever that was said to have
cost her her life. She disappeared from sight, and it was said she had
thrown herself into the pit.

"I give you this last and final statement in all truth. I was haunted
day and night by her sad, pitiful face; it almost drove me mad with
remorse, and to ease my mind I had the shaft searched a week ago, and
learned the startling fact--it revealed no trace of her ever having
been there.

"The shaft does not contain the remains of Daisy Brooks, and I
solemnly affirm (although I have no clew to substantiate the belief)
that Daisy Brooks is not dead, but living, and Pluma Hurlhurst's soul
is not dyed with the blood which she would not have hesitated to shed
to remove an innocent rival from her path. I do not hold myself
guiltless, still the planner of a crime is far more guilty than the
tool who does the work in hope of reward.

"The heiress of Whitestone Hall has played me false, take to your
heart your fair, blushing bride, but remember hers is a perilous
love."

* * * * *

The letter contained much more, explaining each incident in detail,
but Rex had caught at one hope, as a drowning man catches at a straw.

"Merciful Heaven!" he cried, his heart beating loud and fast. "Was it
not a cruel jest to frighten him on his wedding-eve? Daisy alive! Oh,
just Heaven, if it could only be true!" He drew his breath, with a
lo