The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-01
THE TIMES NEW BLOOMFIELD PA, NOVEMBER / 1881


"You will think OF me sometimes,
Clara ="
The reader will easily see how our In
timaoy had progressed. She smiled,
hung her head, and taking pair of
scissors from the table, severed one
bright black curl from the abundant
tresses that hung over her forehead.
Keep this, Mr.. Meredith, In memory
Of me-"
Was foolish to press the jetty rlnglet
to my lips ere laid IL closely against
my heart? Clara evidently thought l
was-for she had laughed, but did not
seem dspleased.
Mr.. Clenner seemed annoyed when j
got back to the Bureau-rather an un-
usual proceeding on his part, for GER
tainly did all that man could do under
the circumstances.
We have been mistaken all the way
through, It SEEMS" he said, biting his
lip. "Strange-very strange-I was
never mistaken before In my calcula.
tions. Well, we must try again"
went to Kitty Elton's that night
She received me with q sweet, shy glad
ness of welcome that should have made
me the happiest man In the world; but
IL did not. Clara Matteson's dark beauty
seemed to stand between me and her
like visible barrier. When i took my
leave, there were tears In her eyes.
kitty, you are crylngl"
Because you are changed. Edward,
you do not love me as well as you did ~
"Kitty, what nonsense !"
was vexed with her, simply because
knew her accusation was true. But
kissed her once more and took my leave,
moody and dissatisfied
When / reached the office the next
morning Mr.. Clenner was not there.
'He has gone to Drownville,f said
my fellow detective; "he went last
night"
"To Drownville ?"
was seriously annoyed. Did Mr..
Clenner distrust the accuracy of my re-
ports Or did he imagine that was
unable to institute thorough and COM
plete investigation of the premises :
ITS very strange" unused aloud.
Jones laughed.
"Well," he said, you know Clenner
has way of doing strange things. De-
pend upon 1t, he has good reasons for
his conduct
was sitting at my desk two days
subsequently when the door glided
noiselessly open and Clenner himself
entered.
you are back again sir, and what
luck 2"
"The best"
"You don t mean to say you've got
him?"
81 do mean to say 1t. Edward Mere
dith, 1 knew could not be entirely mis-
taken. Pearley Matteson Is in the next
in prison."
"Where did you apprehend him :"
cat home in his mothers house."
But"
'' He was there all the time you re-
mained there. Ned, my boy you've
made blunder for once, but don't let
happen again"
"What do you mean, sir2'
For reply he opened the door of the
private inner apartment, his own special
sanctum. A slight boyish figure leaned
against the window smoking cigarette,
with black curls tossed back from q
marble white brow, and brilliant eyes.
He mockingly inclined his head as 1
stared at him, with motion not un-
familiar to me.
"Clara Mattesonl"
"Yes," he said, in O soft, sarcastic
voice. "Clara Matteson, or Pearley Mat
teson, or whatever you choose to call me.
Many thanks for your politeness, De
tective Meredith; and if you would like
another lock of hair"
turned away burning scarlet, while
Mr.. Clenner closed the door.
"Never mind, my boy, it will be a
lesson to you," he said, laughing. "He
makes very pretty girl, but am not at
all susceptible"
What double-dyed fool 1 had been
1 had lost the reward-failed in the esti
nation of my fellow officers-and be
haved like brute to poor Kltty-anC
all for what 7"