Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-01

sYou may CO.
When she was gone, turned to Miss
Lawson and asked:
Was Miss Trafton aware OF that
memorandum in your bureau drawerT
Yes, sir, she was. replied the old
lady but do not, l beg Of YOU, think Of
inspecting her. She is incapable OF
such a 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
1 made no reply. but as l arose to
take nv leave said;
4 will commence work at once and
will communicate with you Immediately
when l succeed in making any dis
covery.'
No matter what your suspicious may
be. promise me that you will not let
Mas Trafton know them until you are
absolutely certain Of her guilt pleaded
Miss lawson.
She shall suspect nothing if l can
help it, [ said.
All that day, while 1 was at work on
the case, Miss Trafton's beautiful face
haunted nae. Do what would, | could
not drive the thought Of her from my
mind. In all my life had meyer seen
a woman to whom I felt so strongly at
tracted. But 1 resoutely stet led my
heart against the softenlng influence OF
her levely face, and determined not to
let it stand between me and the con-
scientious performance Of my duty as
an officer.
Three days passed, and the afternoon
of the third day, as 1 sat in my office
cumming up the results of my investlga-
tions, who should rush in bat Miss
Lawson.
Mr.. Clark, she said, dropping into
chair and beginning to fan herself
violently, Tcoud not wait for you any
longer, so here l am. Have you dis
covered anything
Yes, madam 1 replied. Il have
where Miss Traflon went
between the hours of eleven and twelve
that niQat. She has not told you yet l
presumeF'
No, sir; despite my pleading nay'
nv commands, she has refused to tell
me. Where did she gO?'
she went to the corner OF Broadway
and Eighteenth street, where she met
n man to whom, under the light OF
street lamp, she paid sum OF money.
Good heavens ! are you certain OF
this =
Il have it from the lips of an eyc'wlt-
ness.'
And who was the man y
Il dent know, Miss Lawson, That's
what am trying to find out
Have you description OF him =
"A rather vague one. He was de-
scribed to me as tall, slim, and wearing
a black moustache. Have you any
idea who it wasp
Not the slightest. Oh, this is terri
BILE! Mr.. Clark, l would have staked
my life on the virtue and integrity oil
that girl. And even now l will not
believe her guilty. Perhaps she can
explain it all. But sir, have news for
you. Tye had more money stolen.
More, madam When''
Two hundred dollars last night and
the same amount the night before. -
Beth sums were taken as before, from
nv safe. Now; Mr.. Clarke, have
to make TO you. 1 want
YOU to keep watch on my house to-
night. At eight O'Clock this evening l
will send both Alice and BIrblra out
upon errande, and while they are gohe
Won can come. l will conceal You in
the spare room, which is directly oppo-
site my apartment. You can sit there
in the dark, unseen and unsupported,
and watch, aad l am confident that
your vigilance will be rewarded BY
some discovery of Importance
At the appointed hour that evening
I presented myself at Miss Lawson's
cottage. 1 was at once ushered into
The sparerOom. At nine O'Clock Miss
Trafton and the servant returned. Hall
an hour later the entire household was
in bed.
The place was still as death as L sat
there. a dark lantern by my side, watch
ing and waiting; The clock struck ten'
and I had seen or heard nothing to ex-
cite my suspicious. AT eleven my
watch was still unrewarded. l had but
little faith in any desirable result from
my vigil, and looked toward to the
long, dreary night which was before me
with anything but pleasurable emotions
But was destined TO be happily dis
appointed. AS the half hour after
eleven struck 1 heard slight noise,
and a moment later Miss Lawson's
door opened and the old lady appeared
loose wrapper thrown over her,
lamp IN her hand.
Her eyes wore a strange meaningless
stare. She did not, as l at first ex-
pectod, enter my room, but proceeded
with noiseless tread along the passage
way. Instantly, a suspicion Of the
truth entered my mind, and 1 arose and
followed her.
She went down to the lower floor, then
turned into a passage.way, walked the