THE FXOKJm DAILY tiCRD, KHIDAY. KKIlltlWHY I .
ifhe tHoman
I In the AlIcokJc
By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN,
, Rector moved forward to comply.- b.
! ' '" Is arm about me.
iT " ' ""l word, with
.?, ' " ?"" u'' delay, when a short
vlv U .Wis ''''l fr..n, the door-
in. followed Immedlatelv t.v the In
Author ot "Tlit Millionaire Paby," "The Filllree Hull." Th.
House In lh Mi." "The Amethyst Box," Etc.
t0,rRI6HT. I POO. THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY.
i-V-v sludl ri'-
-r-.Tt Is to..
Unrw ",T
-JiWtoU Ul Lie ...
",i sella.' lil'-V r' "
.1 ii;-
Unit 111011.
picked
t.i.
j liUi le. who is il very
;fi mo t.. 111.' I'
aritiii.iil loiiiiirs ii "''
sfaiiuu in i.'lii. Ii Ik- Ii
,tpI bis iui;aii.':i ' t. o..
roc-e se:it.'J v,"i;!,i: i.a
uf iet'lill.g eyes :::
Li be allowed a sigh t..
iii-b expressed Hi- tii..'
.ft.
Jlr dear," he began and slopped. 'I
bere he again came 'to a. pause
jt you bttijtl know"
Wiut:" 1 managed to ask.-
I
0,-H!rln very senou." ooainienr
Mtlveon leavln : n:e. "Thais
V,.s,ite for any truuhie we may Im
L-:l:B? y.'.t.tr.
Ui:t.aVd ni.v nn.'
tor a olinlr and sent mc In it before
Ik- M-jfcvnp iy Interrupted sentouoc
auu u,i, sncu it ;
X
! " "1n,t '"ok wb not at myself, but
. "t the bag, which still hung from my
. As I noted this action, my whole
Inner sell seemed to collapse, dragging
my happiness down with it. But my
countenance remained unchanged, too
. so. lt seems; for when his eye
Anally rose to my face, lie found there
what made Mm recoil and turn with
something like fierceness on his com
"You have been talking to her.- be
, ! vehemently protested. !...' ....
.'" '" anything to ! have gone t nr.!.-, - Z:r"vu
I..,, i 7 nat
i arm.
1 a 'o'd. "Tho
large. In tbl
xc traveling In
i ..n't .rou
,:': what.
won,,,.,? Miss ' Yw7ZZ "TZ ' uHS? ,', ,l""k',
n-.t know ,,..,. Thev do ,.. ,t,l s ' r,i i i"8" K1,llp"'M- Inspector
which ., Tn.,,. trust ,, if - l o I ;, I ,, ": so1''Crfe0"y f,w rr"' " -sW:
w', hnr.ll.- crc-ct .1 i V , " " !' '" ""3 crlm"- have
' N .t Mr." lMirand.'" I , , ; , h ,'r "" """ "1M U
;.i:i'
i:::. I.:
i.M'
::! ill - '
r n.t.s n iiiis ''
1 u.- aasv.cr toi' '
l:ti:.;"
'. ::io
i:i a
s. I Ssi.r .
I'on.c. 1 ;
V.;:v .11,1
.t Lull v ;
Why. in-
"i 'vvi 'iis in-t: l;t us hojif noi." Th
i !i a ii'.!?.-;; -!iiii!--.. c ::i:.mi,...
::.:ir.. -l.-. Willi a si.1,-1 .-. ,, ,js
:i:m. p I t . Il -r N. l
::::!"!:o.i, '-.(ii worn- clove.
-! !'( li of tv.o pa::-.i.
.ri-v cuiii!:w hi !:.( pretty
'. fr:i::i y ,ir:n':"
I starro.!. loo!;.. 1 ,)
drov in. i-,'., '
li-' hail nifMit'iv:...:. "!
of
ho Ii
.." '1 )'.w.
- I I y ! ;
I -ni I yon !
:r; ha'i-- !
"...i sun a:i CApresslon. when all
i. . y'i have iigninst me N lost -i
live ii'iil'iit some l.-iir ,i L.
Unit I was weak en a,..',. ',-,lr',.
...Mini, to K'u-id a f,.w ii,,t.,
!;n'::-p;.-.- v'sntm in tlie al-
" -1 (li.'K"
n.-ile
Will t
o.v.. i)f
I nva.
.i I
i i.seX
. of llu'
.-,.eliin.i;
ipe hlin
..f his ,
Tlut I io uot like Mr. Imraiid and
;bat others do nut like him." .
bit because of soiuetlilirj: you kno
At him Icfore tonight? t
Ht made no answer. ,
Or because he was seen, like many
btfentlenicn. talkiug with Unit wor
:i some time li;.fore a Ion;; time le
-f-sbL' was attacked for her dla-
:i au.i iiitiidert'd ':"
a:J.u l::c. lily dear, he was the
c:.' f.va talking to her. ' Some
; ;.- .v.. !h f ni:nl who went in
r !:.' ....ae out. l.ut :i
I llu? last. Mr.
l"l i L.e s.t."
l it . a i i.'i .cience." I exclaimed
..i!i.' l:,-..t of my l.iu; suppressed
-:i.ii. "1 aia wiiliu' to stake my
i !iii hiietrlty and homir. No
.:tjl tallt to n:e as lie .liil-enrly
traia,' wi:h any rily-In. cations
irt. lie-was l.iiercstcil. no iloulit,
Hiiy others, In one who had tho
fot liclii',' a c.nitlvalhu'' woman. .
I
at.l in si:,i(!o!i alarni. - A look I
wsscj i'jy I'.a. !c's i.e.. .villi h I
m Unit v.o v ,'( ii . loiijor ;
Tito (o;;U h-ive enti'i'ilil so si- ;
-In some tri'i.i:a';,.;, I itr.-hij
A itpni!e:uat. v as stam'liitt In !
"a;.'. vvlio sailed as I mot his
th..,.
. ornv up i:,.., ,.. h.,.H ,,,(
lia.l oicsit'o-c,:. -p.,. white ,..,.;
a ;'!'ivc was neoti'iai'ii-: f-o-o t'.
to. Any onocii'M so" it; n.1T. ,,,.,.
nl.'ly had. -.Vhat ili.l It m,.:,j ' , ),,,
ImniKht no (":ti-.i -alr with M,e.
"tin. Is not mine," I he,
m;t imo silence as l pen-cived
iincie turn and walk
OttllV.
"i lr-' article we are lnuklii'; for." pur
sued the Inspector. "Is a pair of Ions
v.hito cloves, siipoosed t iKllL. (,,,
T.o:n l.y .Mrs. Kairlm. tlier when she
o:iio:ed the ah ovo. , you mlad show
In;; in., those, a tin,;er of which 1 seer
1 dropped the hag into his hun.i
The room and everything u it was
: wlilrling around me. Cut when I noted
I what ti'oujile It was to his clumsy
i Angers to o:en It my senses returned
an.!, reacli.'n.,- for tje la.'. 1 pnlled it
'l :i and sratchej out tlu gloves.
in'- nail teen hasti:-' rolled up, and
, so::.o of the linuers were sli iwlng.
:' V'i.et nie iia . l' liieui." he said,
j Willi iiiak:!ig heart and shakiifg fln
; feers I hauled over the gloves.
ret he Is I "" i" 't' ouier s iianu was not a
KiunsUeir i,!ul1 '"' olwfveil as ho slowiv
i.nrollcd tliein. "Yours Is. Wc can
toon teir
lli:t that seiitenco was never tlnlshed.
a toe cloves foil open In ids grasp haJ
waS
Van
' yon."
er. "Wlmt
"to all that
ir is not all
It n:'-:!it I,. -,.' p v
dale herself w.i"ld :
111.' il'-'.-iicct'ir's i-u'er i-.;
you h-iv.i sa d may , a lt;
v.'o have agai;i-:t y.ct. lmt
wo h-iv.i ag.iia t I "
g".-P'd. not si in :',t tills seeming
ll''C.s:it;0.. the motive- nf w!.l.4. I l.-
! ilaved myself to uiideivtaii.J. :,nt at
falter- the hunilng blush witli which It wu
my rec.'ived by Mr., Dtiraud.
a step or two, "What do you nieau," he demanded,
I 1111 certain odd breaks la id., voice.
Hat can you haver against her';"
"A triviality." returned the Inspector,
wllh a laok la my direction that was.
1 l'eit. not to be mistaken.
"I d not call It a triviality," I bdrs
out. "it seems that Mrs. Kalrbrither.
far all her elaborate toilet, siU found
witiioitt gioves o:i her
I- "Certainly."
i "After which she passed them over
to youV"
"Not Immediately. She let them lie
In her lap for uwhile."
"While you talked:"
Mr. I' ma ml bowed.
"And looiiTd at Ihe diamond?"
Mr. Hilrand bowed for the second
Mine.
"Had you ever seen so tine a diamond
before?"
So."
"Yet you deal In precious stones?"
"That is my business." J
"And are regarded as a Judge
them ?"
"I have that reputatlou."
"Mr. Hiiraud. would you know this
diamond If you saw It?"
"1 certaiuiy should."
"The setting was an uncommon ore,
1 hear."
"Quite an unusual one."
The inspector opened his hand.
"Is this the article."
"Ooo.l Coil! Where"
"fou't you know?"
"I do t'ot."
The Inspector eyed him gravely.
"Tlion I have a kyr of news f..r you.
11 Ml lllil.ien .lu Hie g! ,. you t .,!
i'i"i Mr. I'iiirbrotlie:'. Miss Van Ars
rti le w:m pres"::t at th.-; unrolling."
li we :vc. move, lo-ealli.'
raomei'.t-t? It liavllj- ,. s... 1 know i ,
.r, opportunity ,,f saying lH.fn.. i
replied with all the passion of a for
lorn h.pe that It was only at this
present moment I iviuoml.crod a fact
which might have a vcj-y decided K:-.r-lug
on this case; and. detecting evl.
ilcii.es. as I tliorgiit. ,.f relenting
his part. I Lacked nn this statciiient l.y
an entreaty for u f,.."- ,.:ds with him
apart, as the matter 1 had to tell was
private and possibly too fanciful for
any oar but his own.
He looked as if he apprehended some
loss of valuable lime. but. touched Li
the Involuntary gesture of appeal with
you
case, by which they can reach the up
htalrs dressing i-ooms without crossing
uie mum nail. is tli.it what
ni.-aiiV
"Yes. that N hat I mean."
1 stared mi him ii, wonder. What lav
Lack of mi. h .pi, sti.nis as these?
"Y.m . line in. as others ,j,i, ,,. ,,'s
side entrance." w pi,.0.,.
i ". as you turned to go
upstairs, an arch opening Into a small
passage i a, jour lefl?" N
"1 did ." I began. Hushing. f,,r j
thought iiinierstiH.il tiliu now. "1
was too eager to reach the ilresshiL.
, which I supplemented my request, he '" '""k '"'"
led me into a corner, w here, with Just
an encouraging glance toward Mr.
-th'lt I was cillicious of L;
that or seeing, and of but one r u-uiiv.
that of Judgment. Wo-.il-l . t i 1 1 . J .
break dawn, betray guilt, or siniplv
show nstonishnieiit? r oh,,,,, t,, p(l.
ll-ve it was the latter fooling o'l'v
v.hicli Infoi-iiioil his slowly whitening
f '11 distnri.Pd features. Cp-tainlv It
was nil his words expressed, as his ; clew
g.unces now Horn the stone to tho
glares and back again to the inspect
ors lace.
"I ca::iut believe It. 1 cannot be
lieve it. 1 And Ids hand Hew wildly t i
uis Tore.ioail.
"Yet II Is ihe truth. Mr. urand, und
one you ban! now t lace. Mow' will
had
.be. 1 t
. I'r.vl
i..:w I'
m
' : "' :.'!
II II I.I
il.-i.rs
arms. As sho
(-.M't-ilnl,. -.... 41.
.' ""' in.-ui oa catering tuo
nicave. the police, have 11:11111-1111110011
looking for them. And where do you
think they line ro'.r.nl th ou? Not in
the nl-ove wi:h her. not l:i the passej-
sion 01 lite man wlu iia.'.uiibteilly car-rii-'d
ti.oni away with ;ii::i. but"-
"I know. 1 know," Mr. Durand
hoarsely put !u. "You need not
I any more. Oh. my poor liltu! What
have 1 brought upon you by my weak
no is ?" ,
this Miss V:
a Al'sdale;
he
'ullymy courage, which had !
ilewil lo leave me. return...! ..n.i !
af MM I. "Are yon the In- i
I
: Iliiizeil." h,. ,.vi.,i.,.. I
1 !"W, Which itl.-ll'de.l ..-. '. I
hecluswl ihe ,l,.r. ' " I
'! I have n,,t frltrhto 1
' OH. lUilil-iia.-l.in. I.,. '.. '
wisnij air. -.i iii ,.,,.,lr ,, i
oairrnihiir lvhi. i, 1 ,
11J- frank will, von. 1, ,.,.
Zm 0,"'iVl," ""lionance; If
,!,n '.v disturbing you.
wraiiii-you kn,,u-1 v.
' ei.qnire.1 to hi,,, '
mmM .
.
"Weakness!"
He slartcd. I started. My voice was
to: ally unrecognizable.
"1 should give It another name." 1
tul.led coldly.
1'or a moment ho seemed to lose
heart, than lie lifted his head ngiiu and
linked as handsome 11s w-lie:i h.' plead
ed for my hnnd In the little conserva
tory. "You have that right." said he. "Be
sides. wrknivM r kiHi a time and
under si cii ...a e :l- .tu-y Is little short
01 wrong, it was unmanly In 111c to
endeavor to secrete these slavers, mare
- y I 1 ch i imo for
their hld'ng place the ic-ossc of an
article b.-l ingiiig oxciusivciy lo your
self. I acknowledge It. l:ita, and shall
mivt only my J ::-t punishment if you
deny me i:, the f,:tre liolli your sym
pathy and regard. Hut you must let uie
assure you mid these gentlemen also,
one of whom can make It very unpleas
ant for me. that consideration for vou.
much more than any miserable anxiety
about myself, lay at the boMom of
what must strike you all as an act of
unpardonable cowardice.
"Krotu the moment I learned of this
woman's murder hi the alcove, where
I had visited her, I realized that even'
.'tie WllO llll.t !'! ,-iu.n to ,,..rnD,.l,
uttoired a sudden, sharp ejaculation j her within 11 half hour of h r death
would lie subjected to a more or less
yo.l tin tiiis? ISy any further explain!-
tioas, or by what you may consider a
discreet si.euce?"
"I have nothing to explain the facts
are as 1 have stated."
Tho inspector regarded him with an
earnestness which made my heart sink.
"You can tlx tho time of this visit.
I hope; tell us, I mean. Just when vou
left the alcove. You must have scon
some one who can speak for you."
"1 fear not." ' f
Yv'hy did lie look so disturbed and
uucertain?
"There were but few persons In tho
hail Just then." he went on 1 1 explain.
"No one was sitting on the yellow
divan."
"You know where you went, though?
Whoui you saw and what you did be
fore the alarm spread?"
"Inspector. I am quite confused. I
did gr somewhere; I did not remain
in mat part of (he hall, r.tit I
Kiirand, who seemed struck .i.,n,i, 1...
my action. I told the Inspector of that
momentary picture which 1 had seen
retlected hi what 1 was now sure was
some window pane or mirror.
"It was at n time coincident, or very
nearly coincident, wllh the porpetri".
lion of the crime you are now Investi
gating." I (...nclude.l. "Within v,.
minutes afterward . came the shout
which n.s,.,i s all to what hail hao
pencil 1 the al.ove. I do not k,,.,',,.
what passage I saw or what door :
1 what 1 .mi rey but the latter. I
sure, was i!:,t of the gulltv ma:,.
Something of the oulli ,, it
rtaln I th outline olv I .i,.i,.
un i lion in. .ini.re!iensll.!o
isc. li me at 1 in, ii.,,. ,1 I.,., ...1.1..1.
'. "" "'lull I . I
my leinemhrnnce Impresses me as that
of tear and dread. It was not i!. .....
trance to the alcove 1 heholll-lh-.t !'-'
would have struck mc at once but j 1'l'"vi''.'"' "
soiiie oilier opening which I might r I wl'i-n. a f..
o-nilze if 1 saw It. Cannot that open-! ,'si,", '"
ig no louinl. and n::,v It nt .. i"r sop
to the man I saw- v'.-n'iri,.. In lhai
through it with terror ami remorse It I
Uls Heart?"
"Was this figure when you saw It
turned toward you or away?" the In
upeclor inquired, with unexiwetod interest.
"Turned partly away
from me."
"And you sat where?"
"Shall I show you?"
The inspector bowed, then with
ii.w worn or caution turned to
uncle.
"I am going to take this young lady
Into the hall for a moment at her owii
request. May I ask you ami Mr. K11
raud to await tne here?"
Without pausing lor reply, ho threw
open the dWtsull presently we were
pacing the demm supper room seek
ing (he place I had sat. I found
It almost by a telracle, everything 1
lug In great disorder, tiulded by my
bouquet, which I had left behind uie
in uiy escape from the table. I laid
hold of ihe chair before which It lay
and declared quite conlldcnlly to the
inspector:
"This Is where 1 sat."
Naturally Ills glance and mine both
flow to the opposite wall. A wlo.i..,,.
er.v well." . replied: "I innv wiii.t
to show you Unit arch."
The oniliue of an arch, backing the
figure we .'i,. endeavoring to hlcntl
fy. was a mark".! fen lure In the sketch
1 had show ,, hi, 11.
"Will .ion la',e a real nearby while
I milk.' a siii.iy r this matter?"
I tur I win, alaerlij t.. ,,.V. There
was something In his air and' manner
win. -,i en.,,,' ni" almost 1,0. .vim 1 11,. 1
sageway, and so on Into the nlfovt,,
wllh. .ut ultra. 'ting very much uttoii
lion from 1,1s fellow guests. I forgot
iliai there was another way of ap
proach even less nollceable-Uiat by
the small staircase running up In-youd
the arch directly to the dressing rooms.
" And Mr. Inirand?" I stammered as
I Lllowiil the Inspector back to tho
f "here he had left that gentle-
limn. "You will believe his statement
ifiw and look for this second Intruder
wllh the guiltily hanging head and
f. 'lgiiteii.il mien?"
"Yes." he replied, stopping mo on
the threshold ..f the door and taking
my hand kindly In his. "if tlon't start,
my dear: lire Is full ot trouble for
young and old, ami youth Is the best
thne lo face a sad experience If be hi
not himself the man yon saw staring
in frightened horror at his breant
Have you not not Iced that he Is not
die. ed In all res,.,., ts like the othr
M'tiiicuicii present- that, though ho
I'.ill.'llul ii.lei.iet.-,tl,
the I
mil. el:
i". I dr
V. 1-S
.11 of what I
I lll'il Willi the con.
ic? II' so. I hero was
l'l'l I loved, who
""; '' '!"' 1 curlal.is
anv a "c'i such as he
or I ha.l ,!es, rl'ic.l.
working for ,:-e. i
'' I ':;- men vow- moved
Hi.' v i'i.1 -,v to a,,,,
M 1 motion of .. .
awing ha.k curtains,
".iking i'.,r la... ami
III ll.l'es Intel'. 1 was
-'" lliyielf In my old placn
r table 11:1! lake another !
shghily .lcijc..., glass I
SCi'-s'
9
IUt was tfoliij;
my
I'il.l 1 w-tit 1i..i.,. 11 ..r ., 1 ..
mi vol, .,.,ti,i... ,t...i..() , v 1111 t'uiu m.u unn
n n.'ILllil- Ml-IIllIlL'. N V 1 i.i ir I
I .' i I , ss
(itr; .
1 1
if altered a midilcn, airj rJViciiliiMnn.
declared
and I a smothered shriek. An object
of superlative brilliancy had rolled our
from them the diamond, the gem
which men said was worth n king'.!
i'"ti!d raise his hand. ! ''nnsom and which we all knew bad
m ..... ' "'-' Mi.IIII.
" ." ."'"leiil to him wu that I J"st " Hfi?:
'".riiiira: ,, ...
" ' s .u.e re- ;
'"'r '"r us!: certain .
''' !a'e im,,:,
tot he ,!;
it 1:1
-1 U.-l
iraiac.iia'.
dilirctllt
.-.e.l to
!.v. but
w
CIlAPTKIt HI.
ITII l.cniimlH'd senses and a dis
mayc'l licirt. I sinivd at tlu
fallen Jewel as at some hateful
thing menacing both my life
m au'-.. -
"'.1! :;,..,
'Ik.-i::..,,-!,-
'ii" -.-,;.
, ' ' 1"U Willi
I'tolesi.i
'".pulse. T,,,.
1 "in. he
( ""'""I' L'll
an.i hoiiot.
'1 luive had nothing to do with It."
I vciii'r.Meuily dei iarel. "I .ill not put
the gloves in u;y Lag. nor .lid I i.u w
tho diamond was In them. I fainted
at tho ttrvt aiartii au.l"-
"Tlicre. tlicrr. I ku-.w!" iulerposed
tlie Inspector kindly. "I do 11 t doubt
J'.u In the least: not when liieic Is a
mail to doubt. .Miss Van Ars.lale. yon
hiid better let your uncle take you
in, me. 1 w ill see that the hall Is clear
ed for yoiV Tomorrow I may wish to
talk to you again, but I will spare you
.ui that further Importunity tonight."
"ul.l not besl- ' shook my head. It would require
more taiurai:!1
than to stav.
'1 vished
c a little
l.t 1 have
v- ! iw hi. a
" e 1, n e I ,,
mill,:!,, when
ma tier. Miss
lo say souic-
rlgld Investigation, and I feared If her
gloves were found in toy possession
sonic special attention might be direct
ed my way which would c.m-o you un
merited distress. So. yicHii.g to All
Impulse which 1 now iwogji;:., as a
most unwise as wed as ,nr.vo:ii,y one.
I took advantage of t!:,. bust,. nl .ut u. I
and of Ihe Inset, s:,i;;,v iulo which you
ha I fallen to tuck th-.-e uiiseiable I
gloves into the l-ag 1 s.r.v lying on the
tioor at your side. I .a, n u a-!; ; .),r
My whole I'lrteic l-ic fhail he
waikeu about, mostly among strangers,
till the cry rose which sent us ail in
one direction and me to the side of
my fainting swcetliearl."
"Cau you phi; out any stranger y.111
talked to, or any one who might have
noted you during (his interval? You
see, for the sake of this little woman,
I wish to give you every chance."
'tfnspector. I am obliged to draws
myself on your mercy. I have n.
such witness to my Innocence cs y,r,i
call for. Innocent peopl. sol Ion have.
It Is only the guilty who. lake Ik"
trouble to provide for such contingen
cies.
This was nil very well. If It had
been uttered with a straight forward
air and In a clear tone. Hut it was
not. I who loved him felt that It was
not, and consequently was more or less
prepared for thcchange which now
took place In the Inspector's manner.
Yet It pierced me to the heart to ob
serve this change, and I Instinctively
dropped my face Into my hands when
I saw him move toward Mr. iMuainl
with some Una! order or word of can
thin.
make. I nil!;,. ,my which had ever
l.el'nre come under my observation, It
awung on a pivot and. though shut ill
tho preaeut moment, might very easllv
when opened present Hi huge pane at
an angle ca;-ai,ie of cati-hing rellecllons
from s-iine of ihe many mirrors dec-
oranrrg the reception room Hiluuied
r.ia iom.liv across I'.-.e hall. As ail the
r.oonvays ci tills lower floor were of
riiusv.al widlh. 1111 opeti inilh was ofiW-
c:!. as II were, for tiie-e rolled Ions to
pa. .1. 11 raking It puss-il.!:. for scenes to
be Imaged here which to (lie persons
Imolved word .1 kcci:, hi cafe from nnj
one's scrutiny as If they were taking
place in the adjoining house.
As we realized this a look passed
between 11s of morn than ordinary slg
nlllcanee. Pointing to the window, the
Inspector turned to a group of wallers
watching uh from the other sldo of tho
room mid asked if It had been opened
that evening.
The answer came quickly.
"Yes. sir-Just before the Ihe"
"I understand." broke In tho Inspect
or, and. leaning over 1,10. he whispered.
I ...1 1; again exactly what you
1 th.v.rrht ; on saw."
:c on-win-
inslanlly laud who can a.-c unit for I IhU I , .,. add liltlo lo my former
such phcii'imen-i ?i there iloatel inio I de-;c.-:iti.,:i.
new iieiore n.y retina 11 reorn.iui-t o
pardon,
devilled
1 i.-il lo
"Very
of Ihe picture I had sc. 11.
myself 1 . ha-,., sc'-ll. In
ro-.ni; and as at Hint t:i:
l.efoi-i' me an urikiiowu i
llio.'.l from lii s-:r:-.,a
or imagine 1 1
:!.. sgpi.e:'
!" It 1 t.l'iicl
-ra c'lilo re- I
'V- ,.-cne. j
to wllill:l::
stale a fad."
good!" I; v
lln.t.
siniply
.tisiderlng
I met Ills
who s;d;e; I I'niild ;c
word to saie my lilt
will now feel that y.
young la.v to add h
have these gloves i:i
til
"I'i
llisp,
iiltc:
ihaps Vol,
u ( it lo thi:
w you .ante
:r possession
so it ..'id now. and 1 ho!..-I I a ra.':i hi
faint (,r!lii:ci. and yl with l! .'.'."!
i of !'lie!e, id-'lillctllcss. a S'l:lle ,
'"lllglll tar.illriii V, I.i.-li ap;....i-e 1 a one
1 . e. ., . m you can 1 "ii mo this." lie
I.In.ily j 'i-si it.... -Was the picture,
: J' ' 1 saw II. mi a level with your
C : .' 1 y i.t li.Hl, to lift your lll'lld
1:1 : ' 1 it ';"
"!' .-t liicii 101- In the air. as It
" .'e. '!'!' it seme I i: I ,,e....,t fealure."
'::. i::-,..-ct -'.s m, mil'i took u fiilislled
"Mrs. 1'airl.ri.ther l.aiiilcd ihein to
me.
"ll.'itiih'd them to you?"
"Yes, I hardly know why myself.
She asked me to take cale of them for
her. I know Unit this must strike jo.l
to leave at that moment 1 as a verv iH-cullar statement. It was
Meeting the ln-ioetnr's 1 n,v realisation of the unfaiornble ef-
. ..
la half lift.'ii cm-tain and tin, tail
s 1 figure of a man holding back t!i:s cur-
I tain and gazing, or seoniing to gaze.
at bis own l.r. ast. on which he had
already laid one quivering linger.
What did It . 1111 an? In the excite
mctit of the horrible occurronce which
had engrossed us all, I had forgotten
"I'!
I 1 rght i !enfir,v the door
e If I s.i v. Ihchl," I sug
asi hi, .....
j" ..M.r-
' hu n, , nl "ii,c that
ti.k.n, ... "" '"' hri.iie In.
--III.- V n. t , .. . ,,.,.. 1 .....II,. ,-1, I, .1, H.I.O.. . fAll..,. t.. , anri....
.-"-i.-iie
lie lli
eye llrmly. I quietly declared:
"If Mr. Iiiirand's gmsl name is to I
suffer in any way. I w ill not forsake I
hi. 11. I have con tidi nee In Ills intcg.
feet it could lmt fail lo produce iiK.n
those 11 In. heard It whi. li iiimlo nie
dread any tnterrogalioli 011 the sub
ject. Hut I assure you it was as I
rlty. If you have not It was not his 1 say. She put the gloves Into my hsnd
la. in
. I
in.li:
nation
in. ... .,
tint 1 "" m e, iv,,
'"at lar,.r. 1. , ,
. u 0 s llnother
!r- ir-rt,.,f ",,e
. Lsk-.,, v"r-v w"
t't c T. '.:1'1"" as it I,
k. r'i h . .. .
Incf.ininoikNl her."
' nd you?
dropped this Jewel Into tho bag.'
"So. so! lit, not be loo sure of that.
little woman. You
Jour lesson at once. Il will be easier ute. then I put them in my pocket.
for y.Mi. and more u holesome f.ir him " I but quite automatically and ti ithout
Here he picked tip tho Jewel. thinking very unn h .ikon It. t-.e wai
"Well, thev said It was a wonder!" la woman nccust1.11 d 1.
had Is'tler take j "Well. I held lliem for a fen- mln
, 1
md pa
' LV't-d.
;' "i '. Mt. duly, certainly." was bis cheer-
fr.l rejoiraler. and. rainimonlng one of
! his me:, . ho was a!... 111 1 1 give some or
1 dor v. l.cn ,ls Inqm'-o changed, and he
' uski'd If I mid lira?.-,
1 I asMirviriiiiu, 111 some sun, rise, that
. i ..... i-. ... . 1 . ' . .
this curious experience; but .. feeling I "" ""-I" "''
new g!:e sensation ..f shock i 1
and ex,K.ctal!., iihl.-h - icd Its not- I . ,, ,' . . "' "'""":"' "
,.. ne. ,1 ,.i.i unn 1 i-ii I,,,,,, 1, ,s
pocket and requested me to make some
m.i. 01 .-iiienuii 1. 1 reproiiuce on paper 1
my memory of this uass..,, no.! ti... r
With it 1,,1w. Ink hi; hnml. Vila thtrt
t , nut.
knew that my effort had thet with lea
reward ami lhai for the second f'.iue
1 wiis'lo receive Ihe liupressloii of a
place now Indelibly liuprliilcil on my
consciousness.
"Is not lhai II?" asked the Inst tor.
Milling ni the glass win, a last look
at Ihe linperi'eci sketch I had made
him and which lie stlM held In his
:111ml.
"Yes." I eagerly i-sp n,.!,.i. ". hut
uie man. lie whose lig.ire I nee Micro
Is .' Ihcr person entirely; see no
remorse or even fear in his looks."
"if course not. You are looking at
i1"' relied I f o, f my men. s. Miss
V an Al'sdale. do you fee ignizf the
;iace now under your eye?"
"I do not. You spoke of an arch In
ne nan. at t,,,. left of II, irrla
ranee, and I see an nivh In Ihe
low pane before tm, bin"
"You are looking k might through
ihe alcove-perhaps you did not know
lhai another door opened 11 1 lis back
inlo Ihe passage which runs behind It.
Further on Is the arch, ami beyond
Hint arch Ihe side hall and staircase
leading lo the dressing rooms, '"rhis
door, the on., in 11,,. ri..lr r -e,
1 menu. Is hidden from Ihose enierliig
from tlie main hall by draperies which I
have been bung over It f,,r this occa
sion, bill It Is quii,. .visible f,.,,,,, the
back passageway, and there can be
no llolli.l thai It was by lis means
Ihe man 1, ..sc relied. i Image you
saw belli eui, red and lefl the iilcovc.
II Is an Important fact I , establish,
and we feel very 1:111, h lig,., lo you
ror Ihe aid .1011 have given ns In this
unit', r."
I.io 1. as I ,- eili'iiicd I i
ill I'i'.' ci.il.oo ami sij,p,-i
III .nick e. laaiilioii:
' (Ire lulu., in Ihe (dcove and In th,.
"' '"id pail, is in,, all I.;,,,., wil'i
Sl. ..I.".., a-, -. 01, mi, 1 J,,.,-,
one In ihe hill. bc-..,n
very bright, whidi
1 lias not donue l his overcoat, he has
! put on. somewhat prematurely, one
.I"'-.'-. say. the largo si!k handkerchief
lie i..c-lrm;,; !y Weill's under l? Have
you not lmii- ed lids and asked your
seit' 1, hy?"
I had u.'.l.cd ll. 1 ha.l noticed It
iioni l!ie inom.-ut I recovered tram my
i.'.inrng lit. but I had u .t thouglil it
a iiiaiier of sutlicleiii iuiere.it to ask.
.'..ci of myself, his reason for thus
ni-iiic- his shirt front. .,,w 1 coni,
noi. My f icultics were too confused,
"'' i'.'.iil 1 Icepiy shaken by the
suggcs'lon w hich Uie Inspe. tor's words
convoyed, for me t. be conscious of
anything but the devouring question
as to what I should do If. by my own
i:il..'.'aiieii veal. 1 had succeeded' hi
Iiluogiug the man I loved yet deeper "
.'nto the tolls In which he had become
enmeshed.
Tho Inspector left me no tlnic for tho
Jietileiueut of tills question. l,'sherln
nie back Into, the ro.uu where Mr. In;
rami and my uncle awaited our return
In apparcnlly umollcvi-d silence, he
closed Ihe door upon the curious eyoi
of the various persons still lingering in
tho hull ami abruptly said to Mr. Durand:
"The explanations you have been
pleased to give of the milliner In which
Ibis diamond came into your possession
lire not loo fanciful for credence If you
can satisfy us on another point which
lias awakened some doubt In the nilml
of one of my men. Mr. Durand, you
appear to have prepared yourself for
departure somewhat prematurely.
J mind removing that handkerchief
for a moment? My reason for so pecul
iar a request will presently appear."
Alas, for my last fond hope! Mr. Du
rand. with a face as white as the bac':
ground of snow framed by tlie uncur
tained window again d which he lean
ed. Ml'lisl Ids hand as If to cniniAy wil l
lie Inqiedor's request, then let i? fa'l
again Willi a grilling laugh.
"I see lhai I tun not likely to escir-o
any of I In- results of my Imprudence"
ho cried, mi l with a uiiid.- lerk hi..... 1
hi shirl front.
' A splash of red dellled Its otholwl
nnii'ie-ni w!,rt en ess! That it Was the r I
of heart's blood was proved by tl. ,
shrinking look ho unconsciously cast
ill II.
Il
In
at l:lm
adiicil,
c::a!"I!:;! iv. .
V love f.r Anson Huraml died et
slgld of lhat crimson splnsh
or I thought It did. In this
spot of blood on the breast of
him to whom 1 had given my heart I
could read but one word guilt hein
ous guilt, guilt denied mid now brought
lo light In language that could be seen
and read by all men. Why should I
stay In such a presence? Had not tho
Inspector himself advised uie to go?
Yes, but another voice bado 1110 re
main, .lust as 1 readied the door An
son Hiirand found Ids voice, mid I
heiird. In the full, sweet tones I loved
so well:
"Walt! 1 am not to Lo Judged like
Ibis. I w ill explain!"
I!nt here tlie Inspector Interposed.
"Ho you think It wise lo make nny
such nlleuipt without the advice nf
counsel, Mr. Iiuriiiiil?"
The Indignation with which Jlr. J 'li
ft 'i'i wl led toward him raised In me
a fuiut hope.
(Contlnciid Next Friday.)
IIIIIH I'Olt Yv70
Hi,
. but Ihe
nr. I,. is !
The hoard of education of Krhuo'
District .No. 4, Kugene, will rce.-li
hl'.'s up lo tho 2llth day r,r l-'elirnar'
I MILS, at the olllce of the rl.o l, v'..
Minis f.r t'n. i .'fi,..i ii.. !,... .... .. ,; ' '' '
.lloinciuess f ibis , I,. ,. .,i,. tho various school buildings iti'i:'':.'
Am. Ihcr tl:lngi it u a very Inter- I K"iio of loo cords of oak wood in!
.ling p.,ini-.i would I,,,,-.. Iin-ll"" cords of fr wood, said deliver
po.sihie f ,r Ibis reflection to I tl, ('.!" I'e completed on or before' S,- -
able fiion where y..u sit If th,, level .'"'mhor I, Kins.
of the alcove n ing had not been I ""' ',"nnl ri'!i,'rvos the right to r".
innsldcrably higher ll, an that of the ' . 1 ""y 1 n" an(l n b"l '"
iiialn II.H.r. I'.ul f,,r ibis r, l- ..r 1 " 'in'niui performance of the con.
ural accompaniment, I Isi-amo cm- !
acloiis of a suddt-u conviction thai tlie i
picture which had opened before me 1
in the supper room was the result of '
a reflection In a glass or mirror of I
something then trope' ot. b. ..!..,... !
not otherwise within the reach of ,,- i ""' ln "T In""', ul
Tlslon; a rohVotl.,11. the Imis.rtan.-e of IJ',""' ll,''t " "'" ''" '"r '
which I suddei.lv real7.n, when I,- I "v ""-v ''"""o""" i "Ung for all
call at what a critical moment It ha.J ! Py'"' ,vl,:"' ""n''' "tably to myself.
architect the coiillumil passing lo and
fl.l of peoie Itoiil.l hlu pi,.,,.!,!,.,! (I,,,
tellietioii in lis passage from surface
' t 1 surface. Miss Van Arsdsb, ll noul.l
III thai l.y one of those chance.
' 1st... ,
V. 01 er
L. V?" Ia 'he I,
' -11,.
'' d S
cri;-,.,..
1 ery liat
"ii w'nea
I Wlta
"I 'o nk
'K'. glad
"ry h"a;t
!..,.;, r
be exclaimed. Ill Ills sudden admira- I
th. 11. "I am not surprised, in.w that 1 ;
haie seen a great gem. at tlie famous I
sinrles I have read of 11 risking
life and honor for their .sseso,i. If ;
only bo blood liHd lieeii shod!" j
"I'm le. uncle!" I walled nlocd In my ,
Y.h-
-al 1
m tl,o
It was all my lips could utter, but
to 1:1:1 le It was enough. SroakJi.il fi '
!. , Ihe first tline. he asked to bai a pas-
hi; ''' made for us, mid In n the In
luive her own
tvav. I'lsiple Kclil'itn ilosli-lieil H. f
Judge"
Here th" tetisl'.n ni. ..it ii v rliro-l re
lax.' I. and I open el 1: y I ; - to spi'i.i:
llu', the llispcgor. ill, a V lin.n of
so, c iilltlielity. for,- I: le-J I .1-
"Wei" '.lie glovis i, i i ' rolled up
win ;i !.e olfi-ii-d ll.ee. t.. yoil?"
" I I.. V well' toll. I I. '."
"Did yea i- br ut uie oST
"Assuredly "
"And roll tlism tip :"
occiirml. A man In a slate of dread
I loiklng nt Ids breast, within live mln-
; utes r.f tlie stir I lush of the dreait-
ful event width had marked this even
i Ing! i
' A hoi', great as the despair In which
; I hiid Just lis.,, sunk, gave me courage
to drop my bands and advance Im-
; s.i'M:sl.v Inward the Inspector.
"l.on'l s...:.k. I pniy; don't Judge
my ,.f . furi n r till yon have heard
i hat 1 true to .ay."
' In great !isloii.hi,ion and with no
eipct of rrtrrry, t asked me what
: I d to noir which 1 had net had
ijnor. noicii iiiq.pcu l.ut ou.e or twice In a
My heart n-w Is.atlng violenllj, and i n"'M""' 'er.v condition , propuioua
' "' " "ia,;e iius relic tion
a is'sslble occurrence-.'veil the loca
tion ami width of ihe sevcrnl ibsirways
nnd the exio t pi.1,,1 , ,ich tlie por
tiere was drawn aside fn.in the en-
trance In l,e alcove."
"It Is wonderful." I crlel. "wonder
ful!" Then. I., hi t iisionM , H.r.
hi., I ask'd If ihen. H.,IM t ,mn
"r iiiui.lcailon Is-iwis-n the
p-issagcwiiv i.e. i, ,,f . ai, ,,, ,! (hn
lar-.-e i nil ball.
"..'.." I,.. ro.i,.,. -
Joii.l ihe iiiepla, ,.. ' ,,.
I I to It."
' iflhiiugl.t inn, inured, but m,v j
". in) -cir than '., liiin.
"a iiiiiiKJug iiow a null.
wi lled, l lldd piss f be icy 1,,.,,,-t
of this as,.., i, I, lug,, tl to tlu ut.l
l '"" i.e pence, it plain li my
own. So I end. a cored to do as be bade
, inn an I Miecceded to Homo extent, for
In' uttered a slight elaci.hitlon ut ono I
, ot its reatitres and, while duly express
ing hi. tl, inks, I, inoreil me wilh a very
; sharp look.
I "Is this your (list vL It I this house'."
i he askisl.
"No. have been here b. f ire "
"In tlie evening or In toe nfieriioon?"
" ! the nfte-r-. "." '
"I am t .Id that t' e main etdianin Is
not In us., tonight."
, "Vo. A sail' door l imlil.l for oc
caslnn. li. ,. ti,,. p,..., nt. i;,.si, enter
ing I here nn. I a sped, hall and stair.
tract will he required of Ihe auecess
ful bidder. If any thero be.
Dlaer February Klh, I90H.
KIIANK KKISN'iVn-.
'-" Clerk.
JlltllSS ('.AIIXIV.AI,
Mnsquerade at rollor rink. Prizes
awarded. tf
W'K A HI'IMM.r
Your wants with wood OaV, Ma
ple, Kir, and Ties. Also Coal.
WILLIAMS THANSI'KH CO
rutin lllack I I ' 1 .
I'OII I l,ANI WirAI. ItAKKItY
Mread. hu best and healthiest
hrcid mn.'.e. Kor sale at Otto'a,
"pens Just Is-.
s' small steps !
CASTOR I i
For Inftin'n ' , i t'hu'jsn.
'b'oP8 Kilid ' n c?
Boars the
8 j-natui o ol L.