Newspaper Page Text
FOURTH PAGE
THE SUNNY SOUTH
DECEMBER 15, 190 6.
I<>•••••'O'*' •
ZShe Woman in the Alcove ^ ?
■ = = -*
_ ^ : : T 7 — •
A Story of Love and THrilling Interest ]
• By ANNA KATHERINE GREENE, Author of "The Millionaire Baby,
i-.-a-.-e-.-e>'.'it a •-•■•■•■a ■•■•'•‘C
Copyright by The
TIIK MOirSK.XIBBL.BS AT THU XKT.
IK uoNl. day saw me at po
lice hecwlquarters begging
an inii-j'viow from tbo in- ^
spec!or. willi tin* intention |
of confiding to him a tlieory j
which must either cost 111c [
his sympathy or open tbo
way to a. new inquiry, which
J loll stir -ewould lead to Mr.
Durand's complete exoner
ation.
I chose tliis gentlciimn I
for 111\ ronfViaiit. from I
among alt fihosc with whom;
I had been brought in contact by my J
position its witness in a rase of tin
T made use of it to ask a friend in Lon-
don for a list of the most noted diamond
fanciers in the country. Mr. Grey's
name was third on the list."
He gave me a look in which admira
tion was strangely blended with doubt
and apprehension.
"You are making a •brave struggle,"
said he, “but it is a hopeless one.”
* ! "X have one more confidence .to re-
The Filigree Ball,”Etc. * pose in you. The nurse who lias charge
of Miss Grey was in my class in the
hospital. We love each other, and to
her I dared appeal on one point. In
spector—" here my voice unconsciously'
fell as he impetuously drew nearer—“a
note was sent front that sick chamber
on the night
CHRISTMAS ISSUE OF
Bobbs-Mcrrill Co.'she passed me on her way to the al- [
cove.**
IX. ".Miss Van Arsdale!'’ THE SUNNY SOUTH NEXT
“The interest which Mr. Duraiul tli.s-}
played in it. the marked excitement iM t > "WEEK!. CHRISTMAS FIC-
w’hich he was thrown by Ins first view
ol its size and splendor, confirm in my ^JON, CHRISTMAS EDITO-
mind the evidence which lie gave on;
oath .and he is a. well-known diamond RIALS CHRISTMAS PIC-
expert, you know, ami must liave been
very well aware (l-.at he would injure . TU RES, CHRISTMAS POEMS I ?V eSl
You couldn’t give a finer
Christmas present than The
Sunny South from now till
March, and Uncle Remus’s
Magazine a year from that
date—cost, $1.00.
A Full Dollar's Worth of
MAN MEDICINE
Free For a Dime
FROM FIRST TO LAST
PAGE. NEXT WEEK, THE
rather than help his » atise by this ad
mission) that at that time he believe,
the stone to lie real and of iiumena
value. Wearing such a gem, then, sh
entered the fatal alcove, and. with .
her ! fascinal'inns^on Zw chanced' to CHRISTMAS ISSUE,
come within their reach. But now soint - ! • “ -—
tiling happened. J’lease let me t * •! I it
! my own way. A shout from the drivo-
mag-U vav or a hit of snow thrown against
iade with some
this very intcr-
nitude, first, because he had been present
nt the most tragic moment of my life,
and secondly, because I was conscious
of a. sympa-tiotie bond between us wliicli
would insure me a. kind hea/ring. How
ever ridiculous my idea mig !i1 appear to I
the window, drew her attention to a man
standing below, holding up a. note fas
tened to tile end of a whip handle. I
do not know whether or not you have
found that man. If you have The
inspector made no sign. "f judge that j owner.
you have not. so I may go on with my
Min, 1 was assured that lie would treat suppositions. Mrs. Fairbrother took in
me with consideration and not visit j this note. She may Ua.\c expected it,
whatever folly I might he guilty of on i and for this reason
the head of him for whom I risked my
reputation for good sense.
Nor was ■[ disappointed in this
hose the alvoec
-fit in. or it may have been a surprisi
her. Probably we shall never know
j n . (the whole truth aheut it: hut what we j
s pec tor Dalzell'ti air was fatherly and his
tone altogether gentle as. in reply to my! 1 " 01,1 ‘ < n j i J ’•
i m the light ol Mr. Durands explana-
iii know and do, if you are slili holding
•t and viewing this crime
excuses for troubling him with my opin- j
ions, he told me Mint in a case, of suclij ! 'ons.
importance lie war- glad to receive the. I' 1111 ' I* 1
impressions even of such a prejudiced
Tile word fired
d guilty, and
ill spite ol
and upi'iglit-
you will mu
it the possibility of another Persons | * ))anatio „. whi( '. h . poi nts with star
,-a. person standing t=o high m pn- ] <liroctnc; . 1 . t0 tho possibility that the
little partisan as myself,
me. and 1 spoke.
"You consider Mr. Dun
so do many others. I fe
his long record I'm honest
ness. And why? Bocaiis
admit
guilt
\ ate and public estiniaiioii that the vei
idea seems preposterous and little sh<>v
of insulting tx' the countrv of wliieli lie
is an acknowledged oriiajnx'Ot."
"My dear" |
The inspector iiad actually risen. ilis
expression and* whole attitude showed
shock. Bui 1 did not quail; I only sub
dued niy manner and spoke w:th quieter
conviction.
"f am aware," said I. "how words so
daring must impress you. But listen,
sir; listen to what I have to say before
you utterlv condemn me. 1 acknowledge
that it made, a change in her
to her anxious to rid herself of
I t he diamond. It has been decided that
j the hurried scrawl should read. "l ake
warning 11c means to be at tbo ball.
I Kxpect trouble if you do not give him
| the diamond.' or something to that ot- >
j feet. But why was it passed up to her I
j unfinished? Was the haste too great. I I
hardly think so. I believe in another
irt ling |
per.
son referred to in this broken communi
cation was not Mr. Durand, but one
whom 1 need m>t name: and that the
! reason you have failed to find the mes
senger. of whose appearance you have
received definite information, is that you
have not looked among the servants of
a certain distinguished visitor in town,
oh," I hurst forth with feverish volubil
ity. as 1 saw the inspector’s lips open m
what could not fail to be a sarcastc ut
terance, ■'! know what you l'eel tempted
to reply. Why should a servant deliver
warning against his own lnastoi . It'
me you will
ihat it is the firightful position into which i
! throw Mr. Durand by my officious at- w,n bc patlont
tempt to right him which has driven me
to make this second effort to fix the crime
on the only otlior man who had possible
access to Mrs. Fairbrother at the fatal
moment. How could 1 live in inaction?
How could you expect me to weigh for.-
tion which it was directed m the waj w
have temporari ly accepted as true, lc
lying on her arts, and possibly nuscon-
the nature of Dr. Durand s iutei
soon see; but first 1
clear that Mrs. Fairbrother, having re
ceived this warning just before Mr. Du
rand appeared in Die alcove—reckless
scheming woman that she was!—sought
to rid herself of the object
against
a moment, this foreigner's reput
against that of iny own lover? 'If 1 hav
reasons- "
“Reasons!"
drawing which 1 had
care in expectation o
view.
"1 understand." 1 pursued in trembling
tones, for 1 was much affected by my
own daring, "that no one has so lar
succeeded in tracing this weapon to its
Why didn't you experts study
heraldry and tno devices of great houses?
They would have found that, this one
is not unknown in Bngl&iid. 1 can tell
you on whose blazon it can often bo
seen .and so could Mr. Grey."
X.
I! ASTONISH THK IXSIT-X'TOR.
I was not too only one to tremble now.
This man of infinite experience and daily
contact with crime had turned as pale,
as ever 1 myself had done In face of a
threatening calamity.
| “I shall see about this." he muttered.
| crumpling the paper in his hand, "tint
t tiiis is very terrible business you are
plunging me into. I sincerely hope that
j you are not heedlessly misleading me.
) "1 am correct in my facts, it' that is
what you mean.” said il. “The stiletto is
an Knglish heirloom, and bears on its
blade, among other devices, that of Air.
Grey's family on 1he female side. But
that is not all I want to say. If the
blow was struck to obtain the diamond,
tlie shock of not finding It on bis
victim must have been terrible. Now
Air. Grey's heart, it my whole theory
is not utterly false, was set upon
obtaining this stone. Your eye
fnot on him as mine was when you
made your appearance in the hall with
tbo recovered jewel. lie showed aston
ishment. eagerness, and a determina
tion which finally led him forward, as
ou know, with the request to take the
Why did lie want
to take it in his hand? And why, hav
ing taken it, did he drop it—a diamond
supposed to he worth an ordinary man's
fortune? Because lie was startled by
a cry lie chose to consider the tradi
tional one of his family proclaiming
death? Is it likely, sir? Is it conceiv
able even that any such cry as we heard
his bed. in which he affirmed that the
diamond, when it left him, was in a
unique setting- procured by himself in
France; that he knew of no other jewel
similarly mounted, and that if the false
gem was set according to b'is own de-
f the ball—a note surrep- ^ gcription, the probabilities were that the
titiously written b> Aliss Grey, while j imitation stone bad been put in place of
the nurse was in a n • adjoining room. I lie , the real one under his wife's direction
messenger was Mi’.'Grey's valet, while and in some work shop in New York, as
destination the house in which his fath- j she was not the woman to take the tidi
er was enjoing his position as chief ■ ble to send abroad for anything she
She says that il was meant for; eouhl get done in this country. I lie de-
him, but i have dared to think that th - | scription followed. II coincided with tile
one we all knew.
Tiiis was somethin
Public opinion -would naturally retied
that or the husband, and it would re-
result must have been an unintelligible I very strong evidence Indeed to com.
scrawl, since she was too weak to hold , ijllt :l ".gical supposition of this kind
a pencil firmlv. and so nearlv blind | witl ' one so forced and seemingly cxtmv-
. ha c she d have had to feel h c q- again as that upon which my own theory
wav over the paper. " "' ,s baseJ ' Yet tnlUl often transcends
The inspector started, and. rising lias- j imagination, and. having confidence m
tilv. went to his .leak, from which lie the inspector's integrity, 1 subdued my
impatience for a week, almost for two,
when my suspense ami rapidly oulmjna.t-
you would not do if your mind wore
taken up with doubts and questions.
Miss Van Arsdale, one surmise of yours
was correct. A man was sent that
night to the flamsdell house with a note
from Miss Grey. We know tiiis because
he boasted of it to one of the bell boys
before he went out, saying that he was
going to have it glimpse of one ol the
swellcst parties of the season. It is
ialso true that this man was Mr. Grey s*
valet, an old servant who came over
with him from iPnglaml. But what adds
weight to all litis and makes up regard
the whole affair with suspicion, is the. MXX MKD]riXf . bnvs
adjfitiynul fact that this man received W( ,. iry ' m ' al|
Me: thft following* morning ana I (>f experience ami study of
- -* - Iiannlci
Here's a proposition, men. tl»at makes it ea^y
KNOl’dII for any weak man to try 31 AN MED-
j iriNE.
j l>ig up a dime-right, now—secure this whole dol-
I lav’s worth by return mail—and get well at home —
j quietly.
THE STUFF for
the result of years
?n s weaknesses. T t
but its quick a« tior
valet would icll a diferent story. 3iy }
friend did not see what her patient |
wrote, but she acknowledged that if ln*r:
patient wrote moiv than two words, the |
his dismissal the following liiornin
has not been seen since by any one j is scientific and it
could reach. This looks bad to begin j„ man-building v.mk is a wonder,
with, like the suppression of evidence.* MAN MEBlflXK i>uu the “nerve” into a mar*,
you know
the same man since that night. Tl*- i*
full of care and this care is not en
tirely in connection with his daughter,
who is doing very well and bids lair to
be up in a few days. But all this would
rhen Mr. Grev has not been j il talu-s the fliiit-hing out of his eyes and straight*
en.s Jiis luickhon*'. It will make you self-assertive,
self-con ih leu t, aide, powerful and vehement with
the manly eonfideiicc that bubbles up in the strong
nerved bods, be that kind of ;i man you call-
Send us a dime todav; we will scud you a dollar
in MAN MKIHi'INK worth a “dollar a drop'
me people sas l Um t delay there’s nothing on
be nothing if we bad not received advices j J|». 1 fgjon
_ , , from England which prove
i a blow to me. Urey . g visU here hos an
mystery in it. There- was
son for liis remaining in ids
try, where a. political erisis i
presently brought the s :rup of paper
which had already figured in ilie inquest
ns tiie mysterious communication taken mg dread ot some action being taken
from Mrs. Fairbrotber’s band by the \ against Air. Durand were suddenly cut
coroner. Pressing it out flat, lie took' short by a message from the. inspector,
another look at il. then g-laneed up in
h me you wm ■ _ . ...
, , . diamond m ins ban
,-ish to make it!
in my
followed by his speedy presen
uncle's 'house.
Wo have a little room on our parlor
floor, very snug and secluded, and in this
loom I received him. Seldom have T
dreaded a meeting more and seldom
have 1 be“ii met with greater kindness
and consideration. He was so kind that
! feared he had only disappointing'
news to communicate, but his first
visible dis.;omposure.
“It lias always looked to ns as if writ
ten in tbo dark, by an agitated hand;
but—”
I said nothing; the broken and unfin
ished scrawl was sufficiently eloquent.
“Did your friend declare. Miss Grey
to have written with a pencil and on a
small piece of unruled paper?”
“Yes. the pencil was at her bedside; I words reassured me. He said:
the paper was .torn from a book which! “1 have come to you on a matter ol
lay there. She did not put the note when | importance. We have found enough! ways with some question about the Fair-
iwrit ten in an envelope, but gave it to! truth in the suppositions you advanced j brother gem, you will see that, his in-J
the valet just as it was. tfe is an old j at our last interview to warrant us terest in that stone is established ami j
man and had come to iier room for some jin the attempt you yourself proposedl that it only remains for us to discover j
linal orders.” I for the elucidation of this mystery, jf that interest is a guilty one. I can}
“The nurse saw all this? Has she! That this is the most risky and alto- J not believe this possible, but you liave j
that book?” getiier the most unpleasant duty which our leave to make your experiment and j
“No, it went out next morning, with* I have encountered during' my several
the scraps. It was some pamphlet, 1 be-! years of service, I am willing to
Hi at. Mr. j
clement of j
every rea- j
own conn- j
approach-
C'»st cf ill' t., oct. a full-sizod dollar park
Hia-ft MAN .MKHP’INK .s«*nl tre«* io your l*«)Uic iu
Id.*rii». wiappi’i. Interstate KinivOv
78!) l.Mfk m*'•■?.. I > ti..it. Midi.
ing, yet lie crossed’the 'water, bringing
bis sickly daughter with him. The ex
planation as volunteered by one who
knew him well was tiiis: That only his
desire to see or acquire some precious
object for his collection could have taken
him across the ocean at this time, noth
ing else rivaling his Interest in govern
mental affairs. Still this would be noth
ing if a stiletto similar to the one em
ployed in this crime had not once f
ed a part of a collection of curios
longing to a cousin of his whom In*
often visited. This stiletto lias been
missing for some time, stolen, as the
owner declared, by some unknown per
son. All tiiis looks bad enough, but
when L tell you that a week before the
fatal ball at Mr. IKainsdeH’s Air. Grey
made a tour of the jewelers on Bread-
way. and, with the pretext of buying «'
diamond for bis daughter, entered into
a talk about famous stones, ending al-
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Jicvc.”
The inspector turned ';!ic morsel
paper over and over in his hand.
"W'irat is tiiis nurse's name?”
"Henrietta Pierson."
“Does slic. share your doubts?”
"I ean not say."
"You have seen her often?’’
"No, onl\ the one time.”
"Is she discreet?"
“Very. On tiiis subject she will lie
like tiie grave unless forced by you to
speak.”
"And Aliss Grey?"
ould, in tiiis day and generation, ring
rover the diamond I through such an assemblage, unless
I ceivmg.
"—reasons which would appeal 10 all; c '^ ' n iiel- gloves, which lie, j came with ventriloquial power front his
if instead of this person's having an in-, liid‘en m carries away with own lips? You observed that lie turned
1 ■rnulional reputation at his back he bad I without su p^. himaelf in aissolubly his back; that his face was hidden front
i -iii n simple gentleman like Air. uu- . ,,n1 > ' ' , of which another was us. Discreet and reticent as wo have
rand,—would you not consider me omitted j o ^^eat^rmm of ^ ^ ( b „ li „ v „ I a „
to speak?" j me pi 1 . , ,.-
“Gertainiy, out— "
"You have no confidence in m>' reasons, j
Inspector: they may not weigh against I
tiiat splash oi' blood 011 Air. Iiurand'sj
shirt front, but such as they arc I must j
give them. •But first, it will bo m
all been, and careful in our criticisms
limn my very heart of hearts, was tiiel 0 f so ij; Zilrre an event, there still must
n 1 saw leaning against tiie wall at p c many to question tiie reality of sucli
the foot of tiie alcove a few 111 nl
before H passed into the supper room
I stopped with a gasp, hardly
meet the stern and forbidding look with
I which the inspector sou;
;iit to restrain
von 1 what lie evidently considered the sensc-
5° u , _ ' nod But I had come
I loss ravings or a ciuiu.
speak, and I hastily proceeded
ic rebuke thus expressed could
sary for you to accept for the otic
Durand's statements as true. Art
willing to do this?"
"1 will try." I tlier
"Then, a harder tiling yet, to put | before tli
S'nne confidence in my judgment. I saw 1 formulate itself in o "° r '' ,„ ra ,i on
the man and did not like him long before "I have some excuse 01 onlv
monstrous. Perhaps 1 am the oniy
1 I person who can satisfy you in regard to
a certain fact about which you have ex
pressed some curiosity. Inspector, have
vou ever solved the mystery of the two
any intimation of tin- evening's tragedy | so
had turned suspicion on any one.
watched him as 1 watched others. I saw
that lie had not come to tiie ball to
please Air. Ramsdell or for any pleasure
iie himself hoped to reap from social in
tercourse. hut for some purpose was eon-
broken coffee cups round amongst the
debrist at Airs. Fail-brother’s feet. It
nected witli Airs. Fairbrother's diamond, i did not
come out in the inquest, I no-
indifferent, almost morose before she
came upon the scene, lie brightened to
a. surprising extent the moment lie found
himself in her presence. Xot because
she was a beautiful woman, for lie
scarcely honored her face or even her
superb figure witli a look. .VI! Inis
were centered on her large fan, which,
in swaying to and fro,’ alternately hid
and revealed the splendor on her breast;
and when by chance it hung suspended
for a moment in her forgetful hand and
lie caught a full glimpse of the great
gem, .1 perceived sucli a change in nis
face that, if nothing more had occurred
that night to give prominence to tins
woman and her diamond. T should have
carried home tiie conviction that inter
est- of no common import lay behind a
feeling so extraordinarily displayed."
“Fanciful, my dear Aliss Van Arsdale!
Interesting, but fanciful."
"I know, i liave not yet touched on
fact. But facts are coining. Inspector.”
He stared. Evidently lie was not ac
customed to hear tiie law laid down in
tills fashion by a midget of my propor-
1 Ions.
"Go on," said he. "happily, T have no
clerk here to listen.'
l> "Not yet," he cried, "but—you can not
tell me anything about them. ’
“Possibly not. But I ean tell you this:
When I reached the supper room door
that evening ;l looked back and, provl-
, anpes denlially or otherwise-only the future
can determine that—detected Air. Grey m
the act of lifting two cups from a tray
left by some waiter 011 a table standing
just outside the reception room door. J
did not seo where I10 carried them; 1
only saw his face turned toward the al
cove; and as there was no other lady
there, or anywhere near there, 1 have
dared to think ”
Here the inspector found speech.
"You saw' Mr. Grey lift two cups and
turn toward the alcove at a moment we
all know to have been critical? You
should have told me this before. He
I scareily listened. 1 was too full of my
own argument,
may lie a possible witness."
“There were other people in the hah,
superstitious fears, and some to ask if
such a sound could be without human
agency, and a very guilty agency, too.
Inspector, r am but a child in your es
timation, and I feci my position in this
matter much lriore keenly than you do,
but I would not be true to the man
whom I have unwittingly helped to place
In his present unenviable position if I
did not tell you that, in my judgment,
this cry was a spurious one, employed
by the gentleman himself as an excuse
for dropping the stone.”
“And wliy should he wish to drop
the stone?”
“Because of the fraud he meditated.
Because it offered him an opportunity
for substituting a false stone for the
real. Did you not notice- a change in |
‘Site is still ill, ton ill to be disturbed I the
by questions, especially on so ifel icate
a topic. But she is getting well fast.
Her father’s fears as we heard chem ex
pressed on one memorable occasion were
ill-founded, sir."
Slowly the inspector inserted this scrap
of paper between the folds of liis pocket-
book. He did not give mo another look,
though I stood trembling before him.
Was he in any way convinced or was
lie simply seeking for the most con
siderate way in which to dismiss me
and niy abnominable theory? I could
not gather his intentions from his ex
pression, and was feeling very faint and
heart-sick when he suddenly turned upon
me with the remark:
“A girl as ill as you say Alias Grey
was must have had some very pressing
matter on her mind to attempt to write
and send a message under such dificul-
tics. According to^your idea, she had
knowledge to one so sensible and at
oil the same time of so much modesty as
(yourself. This English gentleman lias
ja reputation which lifts him far above
any unworthy suspicion, and wore it
not for the favorable impression made
upon us by Air. Durand in a long' talk
we liad with him last night, I would
sooner resign my place than pursue
tiiis matter against him. Success
would create a horror on botli sides
the water unprccendcnted during my
career, while failure would bring down
i ridicule on us which would destroy
estige of the whole force. Do
you see my difficulty, Aliss Van Ars
dale? We can not even approach tiiis
haughty and highly reputable Eng
lishman witli questions -without calling
down on us the wartli of the whole
English nation. We must be sure be
fore wo make a move, and for 11s to
be sure where the evidence is all cir^
cumstantial. I know of no better plan
than tiie one you were pleased to sug
gest, which, at tiie time, I was pleased
to call quixotic.”
Drawing a long breath I surveyed
him timidly. Never had f so realized
my presumption or experienced such a
thrill of joy in my frightened yet
elated heart. They believed in Anson’s
innocence and they trusted me. Insig
nificant as I was. it was to my exer
tions tiiis great result was due. As
I realized tiiis. I felt *ny heart swell
and my throat close. In despair of
some notion of her father's designs and I speaking I held out my hands. Ho
wished to warn Airs. Fairbrother against > took them kindly and seemed to ho
the aspect of this jewel dating from this 1 askeq
very moment? Did it shine with as' -prove something,
much brilliancy in your hand when you ! altogether wrong <
them. But don’t you see that sucli con
duct as this would be preposterous, nay.
unparalleled in persons of their dis
tinction? You must find some other ex
planation for Miss Grey's seemingly mys
terious action, and I an agent of crime
other than one of England's most rep
utable statesmen.”
“So that Mr. Durand is shown the
same consideration, 1 am content,” said
I. “It is the truth and the truth only
1 desire. I am willing ;o trust my cause
with you.”
He looked none too grateful for tiiis
confidence. Indeed, now that I look
back on this scene, I do not wonder
that lie shrank from tlio responsibility
thus foisted upon him.
"What do you want me to do?” he
received it hack as when you passed it
over?”
"Nonsense! I do not know; it is all too
absurd for argument.” Yet he did stop
to argue, saying in tiie next breath:
“You forgot that tiie stone has a set-
ing. Would you claim that this gentle
man of family, place and Dolitical dis
tinction liad planned this hideous crime
with sufficient premeditation to have
provided himself with tiie exact counter
part of a brooch which it is highly Im
probable lie ever saw? You would
make him out a Cagliostro or something
worse. Miss Van Arsdale, I fear your
theory will topple over of its own
weight.”
Ho was very patient with me; he did
not show me the door.
"Yet such a substitution took place,
and took place that evening,” I insist
ed. "The oit of paste shown 11s at tiie
Prove that I am
altogether right.
throng was coming from the billiard
room, where tiie dancing had been, and it
might easily he that he could both enter
and leave that secluded spot without at-
I would not speak if you had. These I trading atention. lie had shown too
are words for hut one ear as yet. Not , early and much too unmistakably his
even my uncle suspects tiie direction of | lack of Interest in the general company
my thoughts.” for this every movement to be watched
"Proceed." he. again enjonied. as at his first arrival. But tiiis ?s som-
fpon which 1 plunged into my subject, j pie conjecture; what 1 have to say nex.
• Mrs. Fairbrother wore the deal dia- ] is evidence. The stiletto-have you stu-
mond, and no imitation, to the ball. Of , died it, sir? I have, from the pictures,
this I feel sure. The bit of glass m | It is very quaint; and among tiie de-
espeeially at my end of If. A perfect J inquest was never the gem Mrs. Fair-
brother wore on entering the alcove.
Besides, where all is sensation, why
cavil at one more improbability? Air.
Grey may have come over to America
for no other reason. He is known as
a collector, and when a man has a pas
sion for diamond-getting—”
"He is known as a collector?”
"I11 his own country.”
"I was not told that.”
"Nor I. But I found it out.”
"How, my dear child, how?”
"By a cablegram or so.”
"You—cabled — his — name—to Eng-
Or if proof is not possible, pray allow
me the privilege of doing what I ean
myself to clear up tiie matter."
"You?”
There was apprehension, disapproba
tion, almost menace in his tone. I bore
it with as steady and modest a glance
as possible, saying, when T thought he
was about to speak again:
“I will do nothing without your sanc
tion. I realize the dangers of tin's in
quiry and the disgrace 'that would fol
low if our attempt was suspected before
proof reached a point sufficient to justify
it. It is not an open attack l meditate,
but one—”
Here I whispered in his ear for sev
eral minutes. When I had finished he
gave me a prolonged stare, then he laid
his hand on my head.
"You are a little wonder,” lie declared.
"But your ideas aie very quixotic, very.
However,” he added, suddenly growing
quite satisfied.
"Such a little, trembling, tear-filled
Amazon!" he cried. “Shall you have
courage to undertake the task before
you? If not—”
“Oh, but I liave," said I. "It is your
goodness and the surprise of it all
which unnerves me. I can go through
what we have planned if you think
the secret of my personality and inter
est in Air. Durand can be kept from
the people I go among."
"It ean if you will follow our ad
vice implicity. You say that you know
the doctor and that he stands ready
to recommend you in case Aliss Pier
son withdraws her services.”
“Yes, he is eager to give me a
chance. He was a college mate of
my father’s."
"How w'ill you explain to him your
wisii to enter upon your duties under
another name?”
"Very simply. T have, already told
him that tiie publicity given my name
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moved."
"I see; I understand. He must believe
himself all alone; then, the natural man
may appear. I thank you, inspector.
That idea is of inestimable value to me,
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opportunity offers for my doing what I
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cumvent my uncle and aunt, who must
never know to what an undertaking I
have committed myself.”
Inspector Dalzell spared me another
fifteen minutes, and this last detail was
arranged. Then lie rose to go. As lie
turned from me he said:
"Tomorrow?"
And 1 answered with a full heart, but
a voice clear as my purpose:
“Tomorrow."
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XIT.
ALMOST.
"This is your patient. Your new nurse,
my dear. What ditl you say your name
is? Aliss Ayers?”
"Yes, Air. Grey, Alice Ayers.” i
"01i,.w)iat a sweet name!" a WONDERFUL OFFER.
I liis expressive greeting, from tiw pa-I $23 to $50 per week. Lady or genfle-
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kept down. j Dept. 31, S-10-12 West 125th rtt.. New
"Since a change of nurses was neces-j ^ ork City, A>. j.
sary, I am glad they sent me one like
you." tiie feeble, but musical voice went
on, and I saw a wasted but eager hand
stretched out.
Tn a whirl of strong feeling I advanc
ed to take it. T liad not counted on such
a. reception. I liad not expected any
bond of congeniality to spring up be
tween this high-feeling English sirl and
myself to make my purpose hateful to
me. \et, as I stood there looking down
at her .bright if wasted face, r felt that
it would be very easy to love so gentle
and cordial a being, and dreaded raising
my eyes to the gentleman at my side
lest I should see something in hint to
hamper me, and make tiiis attempt,
which l had undertaken in sucli loyalty
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iii the late proceedings has made me
very uncomfortable; that my first j G f spirit, a 'mise'ry"'to’myself and ineffei
case of nursing would require all my j Uial to Uie man ! had hopeU to sav
self-possession and that if he did not: by it . When 1 did look up and catch COOK REMEDY flfi
think it wrong I should like to go to the m . st boam of y Ir . Gre y's keen blue UyUI * ntMfclll l*U
it under 1115 mother s name. He made, eyes fixed inquiringly on me I neither
no dissent and r thmk I can persuade | knew whaL to think nol . hovv lo aet He !
him that I would do much better, work I was t£l j[ an( j firmly knit, and had an silIve from illness blit from tempeva-
as Miss Aj ers than as the too well- intellectual aspect altogether. 1 was con- Will you be careful?"
known Aliss tan Arsdale.” sclous of regarding him witli a decided! [ slial1 1,e careful.”
, A ou have great powers of persua- feeling of awe. and found myself forget- ' 11 was K «ch an effort for me to -ay
sion But may you not meet people tinig . wIiy l ]iad come there, and what my these words, to say anything in the s tate
at the hotel who Know you . | suspicions were—suspicions which had ot mind into which 1 liad been thrown
* ia . . to avoid people, and. it ^ carried hope with them, iiope for mv- hy kis unexpected allusion to tiiis sub-
mv identity is discovered, its effect or. self and hope for my lover, who could ■ 10<jt - t!lat 1 unfortunately drew his at-
never escape tiie opprobrium, even if he t0 ”tion to myself and it was with what
If lie has no guilty
crime, my connection with it as a wit
ness will not disturb him. Besides,
grave, “something. I must admit, may bejtw-o days of unsuspicious acceptance
excused a young girl who finds lieiself! of me as Aliss Grey’s nurse are all I
forced to choose between the guilt of. want. I shall take immediate oppor-
her lover and that of a man esteemed
great by the world, but altogether re
moved from her and her natural sym
pathies."
“You acknowledge, then, that i lies be
tween these two?"
"I see no third," said he.
I drew a breath of relief.
paste displayed to the coroner’s jury was vices on the handle is one that espe
bright enough, but it was not the star; daily attracted my attention. See! This!land?”
of light I saw burning 011 her breast as' is what I mean." And I handed him a I "No, Inspector; uncle has a code, and
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non-effect uaon one we find it diffi-!
cult to mention will give us our clue. I dW the |>unishment , of this grtat crimp 1 felt to be a glance of doubt that he
in cic.s in ie j were this, the only other person who a,l<le 'l with decided emphasis:
I could possibly be associated with ii. found "You must consider the whole subject
I to be a line, clear-souled man he ap- as ■ 1| forbidden one in this family. Only
I peared to be in tiiis my first interview cheerful topics are suitable for ’.he sick
I with him. loom. If Aliss Grey attempts to intro-
} Perceiving very soon thai his apprelien-’ <luce any other, stop her. Do not let
sions in my regard were limited to a fear 1,er talk about anything which will not be
lest I should not feel at ease in my new conducive to her speedy recovery. These
home under tiie restraint of a presence are tIie only instructions I have to give
more accustomed to intimidate than at- you : ;l11 others must come from her
tract strangers, 1 threw aside all doubt physician."
of myself and met the advances of both I made some reply with as little show
of emotion as possible. It seemed to
satisfy' him, lor his face cleared as he
kindly observed:
The result both gratified and grieved “You have a very trustworthy look for
tunity, I assure you, to make the test
I mentioned. But how much confi
dence you will have to repose in aie!
L comprehend all tiie importance of
my undertaking, and shall work as if
my honor, as well as yours, were at
, stake.”
! "I am sure you will.” Then for the | i^thei and daugntei with that quiet con
“Don’t deceive yourself, Miss Van Ars-j fii 'St Diiie >'i my life 1 was glad that ? which my position there do
dale; it is noL among the possibilities 1 "’ as KnlaU aild P lain rather than tall.
that Mr. Grey has had any connection i and fascinating like so many of my
He is an eccentric man.
I friends, for lie said: “If you had been me - As a nurse entering on her first one so young. I shall rest easy while
with this crime.
“Bat—but—" ' vour charms as a woman to w-iu peo- j ulterior object in view verging on tiie " v '’ be always witli her when I am not.
"r shall do my duty. T shall satisfy j P le lo your 'will, we should never have | audacious and unspeakable. 1 was Every moment, mind. She is never to be
you and myself on certain points, and j L^tened to jour proposleion
if—’’ I hardly breathed—"there is the
1 jBritajtoiMBur^^rjUali^ustoroerrsrq2rT<T^LsMhT^
least doubt, I will see you again and—’’
The change ho saw in me frightenld
away the end of liis sentence. Turning
upon me with sonic severity, lie declared:
“There are nine hundred and ninety-nine
chances in a thousand that my next
woi'd to you will be to prepare yourself
far Ml-. Durand's arraignment and trial.
But an infinitesimal chance remains to
the contrary. If you choose to ti-ust to
it, I can only admire your pluck and the
great confidence you show in your un
fortunate lover.”
And with this half-hearted encourage
ment I was forced to bo content, not
only for that day, but for many days,
when—
your proposleion or wretched and regretful and just a little Ieft alone with gossiping servants. If a
risked our reputation in your hands, shaken in the conviction which had hith- word is mentioned in her hearing about
It is your wit, your earnestness erto upheld me. {tiiis crime which seems to bo in every-
and your quiet determination which I I was therefore poorly prepared to body's mouth. I shall feel forced, greatly
have impressed us. You see T speakf meet the ordeal which awaited me, when, as i should regret the fact, to blame
plainly. T do so because I respect you. , a little later in tiie day, Mr. Grey culled you.'*
And row to business.” me into tiie adjoining room, and, after This was a heart-stroke, but I kept up
Details followed. After these were well I saying that it would afford him great bravely, changing color perhaps, but not
understood between us, I ventured to j relief to go out for an hour or so. asked to such a marked degree as to arouse
say: "Do you object—would it be ask- I if I were afraid to lie left alone wit'll my any deeper suspicion in his mind than
ing too much—if I requested some on-j patient. ! that I had been wounded in my amour
ligh'tenment as to what facts you have “Oh, no. sir—’’ I began, but stopped in ’ propre.
discovered about Mr. Grey which go secret dismay. i was afraid, but not on “She shall be- well .guarded," said I-
to substantiate my theory? T might I on account of her condition; rather on "You may trust me to keep from her
work more intelligently.” j account of my own. What if I should al * avoidable knowledge of this crime."
"Xo, Aliss Van Arsdale. you would ' be led into betraying my feelings on He bowed and I was about to leave
not work more intelligently, and you j finding myseit under no other eye ilian liis presence when lie detained me by
know it. But you have the na’ural cu-j her own! What if tiie temptation to remarking witli the air of one who felt
riosity of one whose very heart is bound j probe her poor sick mind should prove that some explanation was necessary:
up in this business. I could deny you i stronger than my duty toward
XI. i
THE INSPECTOR ASTONISHES ME. I
But before T proceed to relate what
happened at tiie end of those two weeks,
I must say a word or two in regard to
what happened during them.
'Nothing happened, to improve Air. Du
rand’s position, and nothing openly to
compromise Mr. Grey's. Mr. Fairbrother,
from whose testimony many of us hoped
something would vet be gleaned, calcu
lated to give a turn to tiie suspicion now
j what you ask but X won't, for T want
you to work with quiet confidence, which
CHRISTMAS ISSUE OF
THE SUNNY SOUTH NEXT
WEEK. CHRISTMAS FIC
TION, CHRISTMAS EDITO
RIALS, CHRISTMAS PIC
TURES, CHRISTMAS POEMS
centered on one man, continued ill in (FROM FIRST TO LAST
New Alexieo; and all that could be learn
ed from pirn of any importance was con
tained In a short letter dictated from
PAGE. NEXT WEEK, THE
CHRISTMAS ISSUE*
her as a
nurse!
My tones were hesitating, but Mr. Grey
paid little heed; his mind was too fixed
on what he wished to say himself.
“Before I go.'* said lie. "I 'have a re
quest to make—I may as well say a cau
tion to give you. Do not. T pray, either
now or at any future time, carry or al
low any one else to carry newspapers
into Aliss Grey’s room. They are just
new too alarming. There lias been, as
you know, a dreadful murder ip this city.
If she caught one glimpse of the head
lines, or saw so much as tiie name of
Fairbrother—which—which is a name she
knows, the result might be very hurtful
to her. She is not only extremely sen-
"I was at the bail where this crime
took place. Naturally, it lias made a
deep impression on me and would on her
if she heard of it."
"Assuredly." 1 murmured, wondering
Continued on Last Page.
Uncle Remus’s Magazine,
the South’s greatest literary
venture. Price, $1.00 a year.
This includes The Sunny
South until March, 1907.
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