Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-10-21

chosen young lady was present, and
| knew that Alice was much an
noyed with me for devoting the
evening to my brief instead of to
! Dora Lyme. The latter was the
| daughter Of a solicitor in good prac-
tice, and was herself very pretty,
bright-looking girl, who would, l
was compelled to admit, be a most
desirable wife for a young unknown
barrister.
! was thoroughly fond Of Alice, and
she was my chosen confidante when
ever [ needed one but | could not
tell her even that the true reason
which prevented Dora Lyne's brown
| eyes and sweet voice making their
due impression on me was the re-
membrance of a face seen but dur
ing a three-hours' railway journey,
a face with dark gray eyes and quiet
/ thoughtful expression, and of a voice
heard at somewhat rare intervals in
I the same space of time, whose full,
! low pitched tones still vibrated in
my imagination. Alice would have
been too good-natured to laugh at
me, but | felt sure that, had she
known the state of the case, she
would have entertained, and proba-
bly, expressed, fears that oYer-study
f. had affected my brain-an opinion
that would probably have been
shared by all persons whose charac-
teristic was common-sense.
Miss Lyme, perceiving that Alice
was yexed with me, and wishing,
think, to show that she did
not share the feeling, called me over
to look at some prints and photo
graphs which she was examining.
"Alice," said Miss Lyne,at length,
"did you show Mr.. Lestrange the
sketch you found in that book ?"
"No," said Alice II forgot it.
You will find it in that volume of
the Stones of Venice on the table,
Richard. 1t is really a beautiful
sketch. l wonder how it came to be
forgotten in that book"
brought the book to Dora Lyme,
who turned over the leaves until she
found the drawing, which she put
into my hands. The moment / saw
it l uttered an exclamation of sur
prise, which brought my cousin at
once to my side.
1t was a spirited water colored
sketch Of a mans head-a dark, for
eign-looking face, surmounted by a
red cap. 1t was, however, neither
the skill of the artist nor the pic
turesque beauty of the model that
attracted my attention it was the
fact that in the somewhat peculiar
features Of the latter | recognized
those of my client, Luigi Bernini.
"What an odd coincidence ~ said
Alice, when I explained. II wonder
who could have taken the sketch
some one who knows how to handle
a brush" she added, looking critic
ally at it. "See, here are initials
and a date, but they are so faint r
cannot make them out"
"Let me try" said Dora II hay q
good sight" She took the sket oh
over to the lamp and serutinizr Il II
closely. "W. NJ. D., but 1 {, nnot
make out the date Stay, II ave If
May 10th, 18-"
"May 10th-why, that was tho
very day Of the robbie ~ - 7 eaid
Then the full signir ,c ay' Of ' tbia
date flashed sudden y nnon me. and
l absolutely turn al giddv "Tbe
alibi!" | gasped -"if we could find
'ne man VINO did that sketch, we
~ 81 In proving the allDl.
80 ~ = lgrasped my meaning with
teauy " .lckness,
" PRISONS Library that book
va" & from, was it not Alice They
= Ight to be able to tell you there
who had it on, or Immediately after,
| the 10th Of May"
And the person, whoever she or
he is, will have to be hunted up" /
said, "and there's SO little time.
This is Monday, and the trial. is fixed
for Wednesday. l suppose Morrison
is closed by this time, Alice ?"
Indeed, it is" she answered.
ttN ~, vOuId find M ma tbpra noun