The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-11

ion for two years past and will be my
heiress. They are both above suspi-
cion. I will not permit you to ques-
tion either of Them
Then, madame, / throw up the
case. Twill bid you good morning.
stop = she cried, as was leaving
the room, "what do you mean p
Il must conduct the case in my own
way, or not at ALL"
| Miss Lawson reflected.
Il suppose you must have your
way she said, but do not let either
of them think they are suspected FOR
moment. If you will step down to
the parol | will call them.'
Two minutes later Miss Alice
Trafton and the servant, Barbara,
stood in my presence. The former
was without exception the most beau
tif,ii girl had ever seenzsa. Monde
ANith 4 veal IA 0f j MINING g0lden hair,
and pair of glorious blue eyes that
sent an electric thrill through my
frame as | looked into them. Her
companion was tall. angular, mid
dle-aged woman, who stared at me
with manifest displeasure.
l first questioned the servant, who
answered my inquiries with great
promptness. She heard no noise
during the night, and knew nothing
of the affair except what Miss Law
son told her that morning. This was
her testimony, after hearing which |
dismissed her, and turned my atten-
tion 70 Miss Trafton, who seemed to
be laboring under great embarrass-
ment. The color came and went on
her beautiful face as questioned her,
and several times she seemed on the
point OF bursting into tears. Pres
emily l asked her
You were in the house all night,
were you not, Miss Trafton?'
After moments hesitation, she
answered in an almost inaudible tone
of voice:
Il was not, sir?'
why, ALICE exclaimed Miss Law
son, starting to her feet, what do you
meano'
Il will not attempt to deceive you,'
said the young girl: i was absent
from the house between the hours of
ten and twelve O'clock
After l supposed you were abed
and asleep! myselfn exclaimed the
old lady. Where were yeu?'
That said Miss Trafton, Il cam
not tell you, aunt
Cannot tell mev gasped Miss
Lawson.
And you will not tell me p l
asked.
No, SIR was the gentle but firm
reply.
That will do, Miss Trafton,' l
said. "You may go.'
When she was gone, | turned to
Miss Lawson and asked:
Was Miss Trafton aware Of that
memorandum in your bureau draw
er?'
Yes, sil, she was, replied the old
lady ;"but do not, beg fyou, think
of suspecting her. She is incapable
Of such crime. Rest assured she
has some good reason for refusing to
tell me where she was last night
some reason which she will divulge
to me when we are alone.'
made no reply, but as | arose to
take my leave / said:
Il will Commence work at once, ana
Wi'l communicate aith you imme-
dHeiy when | succeed in making
amy discovery.
No matter " hat your suspicious
may he, promise me that you VIII nol
et Miss Trattan know them until
you are absolutely certain of her
guilt pleaded Miss Lawson.
She snail suspect nothing if can
h.ln IT, | said.
An that day. while | was at work
on The case, Miss Trafton's beautiful
face haunted me. Do what | would.
| could not driye the thought of her
from my mind. In all my life | had
never seen woman to whom | left so
strongly attracted. But | resolutely
steeled my heart against the softening
influence of her lovely face and de-
termined not to let it stand between
me and the conscientious performance
of my duty as AN officer.
Three days passed, and the after
noon of the third day, as / sat in my
Office summing up the results of my
Investigations, who should rush in
but Miss Lawson.
Mr.. Clark she said, dropping in
to chair and beginning to fan her
self violently, Il could not wait for
you any longer, so here l am. Have