The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-11

her failure, took refuge in Clara's boudoir.
But Clara was lily fitted to cheer her, for
she felt that she had been slighted in not
being informed of her friends mapnveres
Not knowing the inner history of the Clay.
ton family, she could not possibly under.
stand why Cecil should expose herself to
such dangers. Yet the explanation given
was trife satisfactory, though terse-"1
thought had cluep
The sorrow-stricken girl came in for q
sound berating, which her inherited pride
rebelled against
An outburst of passion was the result
Then Clara, seeing that she herself was the
cause of it, attempted to soothe her. Thus
enGroSsed, they heard neither the ring at the
door-bell, nor the gruff voice, few minute
after, inquiring for Miss Cecil Clayton.
''What is it, Jane2" said Clara, an
swering the servants light rap at the door.
''Nlr. Black to see Miss Clayton"
"Mr. Black" repeated Cecil; II don't
know any such person"
Clara laughed merrily.
Relative of MIR. White, Brown, or Green,
likely, dear"
"What does he look ike?" asked Cecil
impatiently.
'Like a coal-heaver, or q bricklayer,
ma am" returned the servant.
Cecil descended to the parlor floor.
In the vestibule, inst outside the door,
which the servant had left aiar, stood Tom
Black, watched by one of the domestics.
"What is it you wish, sir?'
''To seg you'll replied Tom, his eyes half
averted
She did not recognize her preserver of the
previous night, as he was dressed in an en-
tirely different manner, and wore his hat
iGw down on his forehead.
And ms voice was changed end gruffer
than usual.
"Whnt is your business here?"
Let me ONE inside, and I'll tell you"
''But, sir, /"
I'm roughly dressed and tough lookin'--
mats what's the matter, l s'pose" Mr..
Black interrupted.
'Fn.. don't know your exclaimed Cecil.
''Srre o That? Guess you're mistaken!"
He had almost succeeded in getting into
the hall
Cecil placed herself in the vestibule, bar
ring the ngress.
"Well, don't think yon heard my name
last night" continued Tom: "but yer see
me knock over the 1ellers what was goin' to
hurt yer"
Her countenance changed, smile of re-
lief taking the place OF the puzzled, half
angry look.
She ushered him into the drawing-room
at once. He closed the door behind him,
us he entered remarking:
"lll Jest take that leetlc precaution!"
In an instant Cecil had it open again.
"How dare you?" she demanded, haughti-
ly.
"Only to keep others from hearin' some
thing what Mss Clay on wouldnt like TO
have heerd a chunk of her history"
"WhGt know you of mcH'
''Good deal -nutf to pay yer for listenin'
minute or two. But leave the door open,
if ye like ma'an."
1t was closed.
"I'm here, principally, ma'am, as book
larned folks would say, to ask if you'd take
6 FOOLS advice and go back to yer home In
Connecticut"
SEQ back homer'
That's what | said"
"When?"
"Soon as possible"
"FOr what?"
"For yer own good"
'lf you will explain, mny."
"Unless yer get out O New York, Clark
Jared Clark. yer know-he'll do something
desprit, aud you'll be the sufferer. He's
under lock and key at present, but how long
he IL stay so l couldn't begin to say. put
up a job on him for your sake; If you'll
promise to go home, I'll. unwind some part
OF a long yarn"
tT nrnmisap
Her quick answer seemed to give him in
tense satisfaction.
"That's it; and git out soon as yer can.
"You are not what you seem, my man!
said Cecil "Who are you?"
"Io YOU I'm friend" was the laconlt
reply. "lfy names Tom Black, and I'm
aInatoor detective"
"Ah! Perhaps, then, you know"
"What know" he interrupted.
~ did not hire you! pettishly.
"No; | hire myself"
His voice began to impress her with th'
belief that she had heard it before th'
previous night: but as she had not seen tn
midnight burglar, scrutiny Of Mr.. Black
| features proved nothing.
Perbaps be guessed her thought.
"Neyer mind questions" he said, hastily
| "What I've come for amt that. Ihat Skit
| fish individool Clark made yer visit yes
terday, didn't he?'
1t is not generally supposed that detec
| tives repeat to outsiders Intelligence giVel
them to aid in working up case; then
| only the detectives and Jared CLARK BEN
living witnesses-how did this man betor
her know sufficient to be able to speak
confidently?
He did call"
II s'pose he told you good many things
in course? Did he say anything bout ye
=" he hesitated. as if uncertain whether
were wise to proceed and then finished III
sentence-'your motherf
"Yes."
'Did he say she is alive or dead?"
aThe question was not asked, nor did
volunteer to tell.
Her voice trembled.
"Ah. sol muttered Tom. "Well, | ca
tell for certain sure as she is alive, and kicl
in in this city
If he had anticipated seeing her rejoice
the tdings, he was disappointed,
"That really concerns me little, she r
piled coldly. "What wish to know is nj
that the supposed Mrs. Clayton is livinI
but whether can get the certificate Of Ii
first marriage legal marriage. ~.
"Oh, ho!' cried Tom, "thats the way Il
kite flies, Ell? He's told you that thumpl
lie, has he?"
Cecil started.
sis it false, that John Clayton's wife vi
bigamst2'
rs it? I'd like to throttle the cur I
telln' sich q yarn. Certain he lied, II
dastardw
Although in frame Of mind to be co
vinced, she yet hssitated to accept this d
nial.