The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-09

two. Thus your most important witness
is impeached."
"Uncle, you are mistaken. Bob has
not appeared as a witness against Annie.
All he knows he has confided to me in
the hope that 1 might have opportunity
to investigate the case, and meet the
worst emergencies"
"What has he told you ?"
"Have you heard of the mysterious
disappearance of Alice Hastings, few
years since ?"
Uncle John scratched his head, studied
moment as if to refresh his memory,
and "believed he had heard something
about such a circumstance"
"Well, the only clue her friends have
ever been able to obtain was a very dam
aging one to Annie. Miss Hastings jewels
were taken by Annie to the assayer's
Office and appraised at four thousand
dollars. Among the lot was necklace
worth four times the money, but Of its
real value the expert was ignorant.
Annie sent of a package through the
Express office, valued at four thousand,
and in due time received a draft for that
sum. Bob Green knew all about
it, but kept the matter as still as
he could out of respect for me. He
happened to be in an adjoining
room when Annie called at the assay
er's. Then he saw her express the pack
age, and singularly enough, was present
at the bank when the draft from New
York was honored. And he saw that
Annie received that money"
"And this virtuous young man who
never NEEDLES in anybody's business
but his own, took pains to keep you
posted, eh ?'
"Yes. I was very much obliged to
him."
"And you are quite sure he told no
body else?"
"Quite sure"
"Upon what grounds do you base your
convictions"
''Bob knew the denouement would be
such a terrible blow to me. If he had
not been my friend he would have COM
| planned at once. But he held his peace
and the truth has leaked out through
other channels"
"And you, my sisters son, have
proved yourself the most thoroughly
unsophisticated specimen of innocent
gullability that ever saw.n
''Hard names are getting monotonous,
uncle. You have exhausted the yo-
cabulary, hope"
al haven't half done the subject JUS
tice."
"Well, I can't see clearly why you
hold such severe suspicious against Bot
Green"
\ decided rap at the door was followed
by the admission of Madam De La We're
Henry Lee looked annoyed.
al have come" said the woman
whose glorious eyes had so strangely
fascinated the susceptible young man
'to see you to-day upon very import
ant matter of business, and should lik'
a private interview"
Henry glanced uneasily at his uncle
who seemed to be incapable of taking
hint.
"Are you very particularly engsged?'
queried the madam.
81 am quite busy" was the confuse,
reply, as the editor applied a newl!
sharpened pencil to some blank pape
before him and wrote, as heading to
forthcoming leader the virtuous words
Corruption in Politics"
"AIy business is important, sir. Tn
young lady who is now in prison await
ing the sitting OF the Circuit Court, i
your sister, believe, sir ?r
Henry Lee turned pale and trembled
But he nodded assent and endeavored T.
go on with his writing.
81 think, sir" said Madam Rosa, no
noticing the boorish action of the man
who so "dearly loved women" 81 think
sir, that may be enabled to furnisl
you some clue to Miss Lees innocence.
The young editor looked bashfully a
his uncle. "I believe" said he, sharp
ening his pencil, and speaking bash
fully, "that Madam has asked for pri
vate interview"
81 understoodas much, >" answered tn
uncle with provoking GOODNESS. "Mad
am," he continued, "my name is job
Ainslee. am Miss Lees materna
relative. Is there anything I can do 70
you or her ?"
The woman smiled radiantly, Will
tears glistened in her eyes.
'Tm very glad to meet you if you ar
Miss Lees friend" she said. 81 do nc
wonderthat you are curious to know m
business with her brother, now that
= Know who you are. Please conside
yourself invited to remain and listen {
5 what have TO say. am detectiv,
5 gentlemen. l was once married to
man who was far dearer to me than m
e own soul. We lived happily togethe
for little while, and then he began I
neglect me. He used to plead busine,
J. engagements and remain away fror
e home regularly until the small hours 4,
g the morning. 1 was young, talente,
:. fond of company and adventure; but
i would willingly have died for my hui
: band. 1t was whispered to me by Ii
d ties that my souls idol was not true
d me, but I would not bear to hear hil
e accused. One day-that was long ag
and we lived far from here-I resolve