Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-04
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER XII.
SEARCHING FOR A CLUE.

direction, and the panels of the room in
which the General 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
clined to think that the General had been
deluded by some feverish dream.
The conduct of Maud Ovington had en-
tirelv set at rest any faint suspicion which
CRANKY Dumont might for a moment have
entertained respecting her. How could he
doubt one so bright and beautiful? Was j.
not sin to disbelieve iHthe innocence Of SO
fair and lovely creature?
''Her angel face seemed to reproach me
for my mad folly" said the General, as he
reflected upon the interview between Maud
and himself. But l will show her that /
can trust her will prove to her that I am
not SO base as to suffer myself to be infu-
enced 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..
Ovington, 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; 81
care not how quietly our union is celebrated.
wish for no gaudy display; it is foreign to
7 ho1 oio1
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 noble fellow, Granby!' ex-
claimed Mr.. Ovington, with emotion, ''and
I ought to be grateful to Providence for
such son-in-law. But who can have dared
to traduce my daughter? What wretch can
there be vile enough to be the enemy of one
so lovely and Innocent"
Gay, sir, there is the secret answered
CRANKY cit 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 an hour s
unnecessary delay"
81 love you too well to refuse you any
thing" replied Mr.. Ovington. "Win her
consent to this hurried union, and promise
you mine"
The General had little difficulty in pre-
vailing upon Maud to comply with his re-
quest.
A crimson flush mounted to her delicate
face, and light of triumph flashed from
her ewes 90 she heard his OraVer
For few moments she affected to oppose
his wishes, then, yielding with q grace
which made her lovelier than ever, she
murmured sweetly:
"How can I deny you, CRANKY, when l
love you so dearly?"
The General was enraptured with her ten
der words.
'Ah, dearest" he exclaimed, proudly, eff
you have secret enemies, l will prove to
them that love is stronger than hate!'
When CRANKY Dumont left Mr.. Ovington's
house, Maud Ovington 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 I expected" she murmured.
"Who will dare assail me them"
The door was cautiously opened, and Will
liam Gorton entered with a soft football,
which made no sound upon the thick carpet.
''You desired to see me, madam, he said
respectfully.
''Yes; I am about to be married-much
sooner than had expected.
immediately"
eyes, almost Immediately"
''You will be good enough, madam, to
transfer me from my present service to that
of General Dumont?" asked the coachman.
'You will be transferred to ny service" an
swered Miss Ovington; ''and 1 shall be your
pay-mistreSs. You will find me q liberal
one"
"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
tiers are in existence-above all, while they
are in the possession of another. If they
were not upon the person of Clarence Suy-
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 to
find them?"
cit will tempt me to do my uttermost, :"
answered the man, calmly; Il can do no
more"
Find them, them exclaimed Miss Owing
ton, with feverish anxiety-"fnd them at
any cost-at any peril! l will requite you.
l have no more to say. You can go"
She dismissed him with naughty ges-
ture of her hand, and retired to her own
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 dinner party was
given by Mr.. Ovington to the relatives of the
bride and few distinguished guests.
One of these guests was Mr.. James Dali
ton, who had become acquainted with ex-
Congressman Ovington at an art exhibition,
and had been Immediately taken into favor.
He sat nearly the whole evening where he
could watch the lovely Maud
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 parcel
into the hands of his mistress, who was
seated at the piano, the eagle eye of James
Dalton perceived him stoop over her and
whisper few words in her ear. He was
near enough to catch the import of those
words.
81 have letter for you," the man MUIR
murnd