The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-22
CHAPTER XII.
erARCHING FOB A CLUE

direction, and the panels of the room in
which the G neral had seen the shadowy
form of the woman had been sounded but
with no result. There was trap-dOor in
the ceiling. but there was no visible opening
in the wall, and it was, apparently, through
the wall that the General had seen the wo-
man disappear.
The affair was buried in mystery, and the
attorneys, sound men of business, were in-
clned to think that the General had been
deluded by some feverish dream.
The conduct Of Maud Ovington had en-
tirely set at rest any faint suspic on which
CRANKY Dumont might for moment have
entertained respecting her. How could he
doubt one so bright and beautiful Was it
not sin to di-believe in the innocence of 30
fair and lovely creature2
Her angel face seemed to reproach me
for my mad folly," said the General, as he
reflected upon the interview between Maud
aud himself But will show her that l
can trust her. will prove to her that l am
not so base as to suffer myself to be inhu-
enc d by vile conspiracy against our hap
piness.
To the surprise Of Miss Ovington, CRANKY
Dumont waited upon her father and begged
as an especial favor to himself that, instead
of being deferred till the ensuing spring, the
marriage should take place Immediately
But my dear CRANKY" exclaimed Mr..
Ovinston, surely you would not wish such
an important ceremony to take place now!
THIS season is not yet set in"
"No matter, replied General Dumont: II
care not how quietly our union is celebrated.
1 wish for no gaudy display; it is foreign to
my republican ideas, aud l have an especial
reason for wishing to make Maud my own
without an hours delay"
Buy why so, Granby?"
''Because there are wretches so base as to
ask me to doubt her. When she is my wife,
they will scarcely dare to visit their vile ma
lice upon her.
"You are a noble fellow, Granbyr' ex-
claimed Mr. Ovington, with emotion, "and
l ought to he grateful to Providence for
such son-iu- law But who can have dared
to trnduce my daughterH What wretch can
there be vile enough to be the enemy of one
SO lovely and innocent?'
| cay, sir, there is the secret answered
CRANKY. at is her beauty that has doubt
less made her enemies. No hatred is so dire
as that which is born of envy. Say that you
will let me make her mine without all hours
unnecessary delay"
II love you too well to refuse you any.
thing" replied Mr.. Ovington. "Win her
,l>, ut to tnis hurried union, and promise
| yUu mine"
The General had lit.e difficulty in pre-.
yailing upon Maud to comply with his re-
| quest
A crimson flush mounted to her delicate
face, and light of triumph flashed from
her eyes, as she heard his prayer.
For few moments she affected to oppose
his wishes, then, yielding with grace
which made her lovelier than ever, she
murmurcd sweetly:
"How can deny you, CRANKY, when I
love you SO deary?'
The General was enraptured with her ten
der words.
"Ab, dearest" he exclaimed, proudly, "ff
you have secret enemies, / will prove to
them that love is stronger than hate!"
When CRANKY Dumont left Mr.. Ovington's
house, Maud Ovingtou rang the bell, and
ordered the servant who answered her sum-
mons to send William Gorton to her
| 81 shall be his wife-his wealthy wife
sooner than l expected she murmured.
who will dare assail me theu?"
The door was cautiously opened, and Will
liam Gorton entered with soft football,
which made no sound upon the thick carpet
'You desired to see me, madam, he said +,
respectfully.
eyes; am about to be married-much
sooner than had expected"
Immediately"
"Yes, almost immediately"
''You will be good enough, madam, to
transfer me from my present service to that
of General Dumont2" asked the coachman
You will be transferred to my service" an
swered Miss Ovington; land l shall be your
pay mistress. You will find me liberal
ono"
"You are very good, madam. Is there
anything else?"
"Yes-those letters"
The coachman shook his head.
"They must be had, William Gorton; at
any cost, they must be had! There is no
peace for me on this earth while those let
teYs are in existence above ell, while they
are in the possession of another. If they
were not upon the person of Clarence Sny-
: dam, on the night of-on the night OF the
business which entrusted to you, they
must have been in the possession Of some
one else-of Clarice Suydam, perhaps. !
suspect that girl suspect her, William
do you hear? Those letters must be found.
There are twelve of them-twelve letters,
for each Of which will give you five hun
dred dollars Will that sum tempt you 10
, find them?"
1T will tempt me to do my uttermost
answered the man, calmly; II can do nc
more"
Find them, them exclaimed Miss Owing.
!, ton, with feverish anxiety-''fnd them al
any cost--at any peril! | will requite you
! have no more to say. You can &c"
She dismissed him with naughty ges'
ture of her hand, and retired to her owr
: apartments.
| Four days after the marriage was to take
| place, the arrangements for which were ex'
. ecuted with marvellous rapidity, and on the
= eve of the wedding q dinner party was
! given by Mr.. Ovngton to the relatives OF the
4 bride and few distinguished guests.
One of these guests was Mr.. James Dal
=, ton, who had become acquainted with ex
Congressman Ovington at an art exhibition,
Y and mad been Immediately taken into favor
: He sat nearly the whole evening where ht
= could watch the lovely Maud.
S Late in the evening William Gorton en-
: tered the room carrying packet Of music
which he gave to Miss Ovington.
As the coachman delivered the parce
into the hands of his mistress, who wa.
seated at the piano, the eagle eye of james
D Dalton perceived him stoop over her ant
y whisper few words in her ear. He wal
:, near enough to catch the import of those
words
I 81 have letter for you" the man mur
: INJURED.
5 Soon after this, james Dalton left thu
Y drawing. room and, descending the broat
b staircase, crossed the hall below.
v One of the servants assembled there ad
. vancsd to him to ask whose carriage h'
IL 4