The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-17

asked Mr.. Dalton.
"No; Clarence had it in his pocket when
he left the house." answered Clarice. 81
went early this morning to the hotel named
in that letter, and found that no one of that
name had been staying there. The people
belonging to the house were very willing to
give me all the information in their power,
but they could throw little light upon the
mystery. They told me that person had
walked into the dining-rOom at a quarter
past eight. and had given card to the
waiter with the name of Spencer written
upon it. "A gentleman will call here at
half-past eight to ask for me, this man said; {;
you can tell him that am waiting for him
here At half-past eight a person answer
ing my cousins description came in and
was shown at once to the dining-room; ten
minutes afterward, the two men left the
house together"
"And this is all you could ascertain
| eyes, all, James-all?'
"When your cousin Clarence left this
house did he carry with him the letters
which the lady had asked him to surrender"
"He did. He told me once he always car
ried her letters about him in sealed packet.
They are dearer TO me than my life, he
'aid, and | will never part with them but
with lifel'"
docs this lady know of your cousins
disappearance?'
'She has heard nothing from me-" an
swered Clarice; "but am satisfied that she
knows Of Carences disappearance.
"StrangeT the young man said, thought
fully.
Then cold chill ran through his veins,
and horrible suspicion-a suspicion that he
| would not utter--hasbed through his brain.
"Look at her face said Clarice, lifting
the curtain from before the picture, "and
tell me if you can road the secrets of this
woman's SOUL"
James Dalton gazed long at the beautiful
miniature.
"Ihs face is that of an angelw he ex-
claimed; "no shadow of wrong can lurk be.
meath the light of those radiant blue eyes"
Clarice laughed scorntully as she dropped
the black drapery over the easel.
''That ls ever II ans reasoning" she said;
edo you forget that the Marchoness de
Brnvillers was as lovely as Hebe-that
Lucreta Borgia was more beautiful than
Junof The face is but mask, the more
completely hidden is the heart beneath"
"Hark! exclaimed the young man. 81
heard a carriage stopping at the door below.
Can it be any tldings ot Clarence?"
"No; those who have destroyed Clarence
Suydam are above suspicion. 1t is not to
the police that must look for help"
She walked to the window and looked out.
at is Miss Ovington's carriage!" she ex-
claimed. What can have brought her
here2 Nay, do not stir, James," she added,
as the young man was about to leave the
room. "a told you that should have need
of your aid. Wait! wait and watchl'
The room was in shadowy obscurty, only
illuminated by long rays of light, which
streamed through the narrow apertures be-
tween the shutters, which were left little
way open to admit this light. James Dalton
seated himself in the shadow; Clarce Suy-
dam remained standing before the easel.
Miss Maud Ovington drew back with a
gesture of astonishment as she entered this
halt-naTk neu room.
What, in mercys name, does this mean?"
she exclaimed
at means, Miss Ovington," answered
Clarice. that my cousin, Clarence Suy dam,
is dead?"
"Dead?"
eyes. You are surprised, are you not2"
| Terribly surprised, said Miss Ovington,
sinking into chair and holding her hand.
kerchef before her face.
"And yet his life or death could be of lit
tie consequence to YOU" replied Clarce,
''since you had proved your indifference to
him by desertlng Linn for o wealthier
suitor."
"You are very cruel to me, Miss Suydam,
said Miss Maud Ovington, removing the
handkerchief from her face, and lifting her
bright blue eyes, with a plteous expression,
toward the intiexible countenance of Clarice;
but will not speak Of that now Tell me,
for mercys sake, when and how did your
cousin die?"
You were here yester 'ay, Miss Owing
ton?' answered Clarice, solemnly.
II was"
"My cousin, Clarence Suydam, died upon
the night succeeding your vis,t-last nightv'
HIS death, en-, was terribly sudden,
for he was in perfect health when saw him
In Heavens name, Miss Suydam, speak out
how did your cousin de?"
'Shau speak out Miss Ovingtoni" asked
Clarlce, with peculiar emphasis upon her
words.
"Yes"
''No Miss Maud Ovington, it is too soon
yet for plain speaking decline to tell you |
anything respecting my poor, unhappy cous-
in, but that he is dead
There was silence for some minutes, dur
ing which Maud Ovington seemed to DO
thinking deeply.
Miss Suydam, She said, after this pause,
lit is in your power TO grant me very
great favor"
"Indeed, madam."
"Will You grant itp'
"Perhaps when know what it is"
"Your cousin had in his possession num-
Der of letters written to him by me before
my engagement to the General. All papers
belonging to Mr.. Suydam have no doubt
passed into your hands since his death.
Will you return those letters to me9"
81 cannot, Miss Ovington."
"You cannotW
"No, l cannot, because those letters are
not in my possession. Clarence Suydam
had no secrets from me-.-we were as br ther
and sister-and know that he carried the
packet containing your letters about him
until the hour OF his death"
The rays of sunlight streaming through
the narrow openings in the shutter shone
full upon the face of Miss Ovington Clar-
ice Suydam saw that face changeto the color
of alabaster.
I,ua m rr,ad tho laftaro obo,t ,r,tk LII. |