The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-10-12

|
and you know it. How do you know
but something horrible hasn't happened
to herp Neither you nor have beer
home since morning. 1 cannot con
ceive why you did not rouse the ser
wants at once and find out what tim,
Mrs. Merrivale went out. You woult
make bad judge, Jack. You woulC
never want to hear but one side of {
case"
Mildred dismissed her maid day be
fore yesterday. That looks suspicious
Yesterday morning she told me sht
was no longera baby and was defiant
for the first time. Tonight 1 came
home and she is not here. wait til
dawn and she does not return. Two
and two make four, Clarke, and all the
information l can get will not alter the
mathematical fact"
"YOu are cruel and unjust, Jack. II
you will not inquire about her 1 will
and"
"No, you will go to bed" Mr.. Merri.
vale interrupted. "The fact is, Clarke
the whole thing is so exclusively my
business that you must pardon me foI
saying that l shall be compelled to
manage it in my own way"
There was nothing for Clarke to do
but submit, and the two men departed
| with a cloud between them.
Unjust and cruel p These words
had struck deep. 1t was plain that
Clarke's sympathies were entirely with
his wife. Mildred had doubtless COM
planned to him and acquainted him
with her plans.
AT breakfast Mr.. Merrivale conde-
scended to ask question or two of the
servant who waited on him. Mrs. Mer-
rlvale had left the morning previous.
Did the servant see her go? Yes. and
thought it strange that Mrs. Merrivale
dld not order her carriage as usual.
She wore a black dress and took moth
ing with her.
Ihe last was an entirely unnecessary
piece Of information, as Mr.. Mcrrivale
had carefully examined every nook
and corner of his wife's apartments,
even to the little safe in which she
kept her jewels.
Every jewel she possessed was there,
with the exception of two diamond
rings which she had before her mar
rage. Her engagement and wedding
rings were the first pieces of iewelry
that met his eyes as he opened the safe.
Clarke came down before breakfast
was over looking frightfully haggard
and anxious, and Mr.. Merrivale in
formed him of the result of his inter-
view.
perhaps she has gone home"
Clarke suggested.
:" Did she mention such possibility
to you?" Mr.. Merrivale inquired.
Hang it all, Jack Haven't said
that she didn't tell me ANYTHING 2"
Clarke replied. "And is it possible
that you think L could keep anything
might know from you at such time
as this? Upon my word, you must
think have suddenly developed into
" If Mildred had seen fit to throw
little light on the subject" Mr.. Mer-
rlvale remarked, entirely ignoring his
earnest disclaimer. "it
would have simplified things consid-
erably; but women are as destitute of
business capabilities as they are of
logic. l should not have put straw
in her way if she had told me she
wanted to leave me-"
What use to talk to a man who had /
so fully made up his mind?
Clarke once more asked to be allowed |
to assist in the search, and was again .
refused, and quite as peremptorily as
before.
There was one chance in one hun
tred, Mr.. Merrivale told himself. that
us wife might have met with an ac-
;ldent or been the victim of foul plav.
md on this chance he must work.
The fact was John Merrivale cared
100 much for the opinion of the world
lot to do his part toward discovering
he whereabouts of his wife, but there
vas look in the mans face which
'nce seen could scarcely be forgotten.
Clarke Denning saw it, and won
Tered could it be possible that he had
owed his wife and was really sorrow
ng for his loss?
Sometimes there seemed little doubt
# it, and then again few satirical
words pointed as plainly to another
Clarke made several attempts to get
way, but each time his determination
ad been overruled.
One day, about two months after
lrS. Merrivale's flight, he broached
ne subject again. s
"if l were of the slightest use to
ou," he told his companion-"but l I
m not, and 1 really think must go, t
ack." I
You are Of use to me-" Mr.. Merri- t
ale replied.
" You are very good to say so, but i
ln't see it" Clarke responded v
Upon my word, Jack" he added, with a
'nsiderable feeling, 81 would give il
'Veral years of my life if 1 could do
for you, but you have tied q
e up so that | don't feel at liberty to y y
y my souls my own" y
Mr.. Merrivale smiled, but made no >,
lswer, and Clarke gave up once more 81 81
S intention of leaving in obedience to "
e superior will. i
CHAPTER II. r,