Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-25

A DETECTIVES sxPRRIEN

~
al will not tell you, sirm
The young head Vas thrown back
haughtily, and the blue eyes flashed
with passionate excitement.
She was 3 beautiful creature, this fair,
golden-haired girl. She was very
young and the petite figure looked al
Hebe-like form and perfect outline, n
would have thought her q child-a little
girl, indeed, with the sunny hopes and
dreaming fancies of childhood-but
these disclosed q womanhO0d full of
nameless grace, rich and rare in beauty.
Few knew the world as well as she, this
brilliant little meteor, that had flashed
upon society, turning mems heads and
making many n fair lady mad with
jealousy
But a few months before she came TO
New Orleans, the protege of a wealthy
English lady, who had for many years
spent her winters here. Her history
none knew, and until the events which
procured me an introduction to her,
none cared to inquire. Ii was evident
10 all she MAS loved by the lady as a
daughter, but she was presented to the
world a. her niece.
There MAS llLNl Tux LdlllltNl uLSCtl
accent in the rich, mellow voice and
liquid speech. The fair Canadian
queened it royalty Ove the haughtiest
bellies. Men said that accent charmed
as nOn other could; royal beauties tried
to initiate it. But her fascination lay in
her winSOmc face and eyes that seemed
so true; in the passionate regret that
fevered there ut 4 scene of woe; i'll the
hand open rs day to charity.
AS she stood before me in her fierce
anger | thought | had never seen Il being
so lovely. The golden curls shaded face
and brow, and the chisclled lips had
assumed their haughtiest curve. Proud
as a queen she looked, the indignant
blood staining neck and brow, while the
cheeks flushed and paled alternately;
but the blue eyes V lost their
passionate flash nor the lips the curl OF
scOrn.
The night before the house had been
robbed and a caSket containing
diamonds stolen. Myselfand Mr.. /
had been sent for by Mrs. Ms to
investigate the case. 1t vas evidently
the work of an experienced burglar, and
as he must have passed through the
room of Miss Ms to reach the apart
ment of the lady from whom the
Jewels had been stolen, | had asked
Miss Ms if she had heard nothing
in the night to excite her alarm. AT
nv question, which was somewhat
abruptly spoken, she hesitated and APP
peared unduly excited. l felt surprised at
this and repeated the question:
did you hear or see anything during
the night":'
81 did, sir"
MAY | inquire whist it was":
II decline to tell"
but why, Miss M-s"
al cannot inform YOU"
AT all events you will tell me II you
saw OF heard the person who committed
the robbery
~ both saw and heard him. Sir, you
will excuse me; but that l may end an
interview extremely painful to me, l
will say 10 you that | saw the person
who came into the house, saw the
robbery committed, but am withheld by
I reasons / cannot disclose from giving
/ YOU his name or description"
The aYowal was made in q low, chok-
ing utterance that showed how pro-
foundly the young creature felt the
shame Of the disclosure. Shocked n
surprised, | scarcely knew what L said,
but / remember appealing to Miss
TO unite her e~ntreaties with mine to in
duee Miss Ms to change Der
determination, or at least give a reason
for Il. But she did not hear me. Her
ewes were fastened on the young girl face
with a wild entreay that thrilled
me to the heart. She seemed TO
understand why the girl re-
fused'to tell; and, gazing for an instant,
threw up her hands, with a wall like
one brokenhearted, and sank, sobbing,
to the floor.
Miss Ms, this is very strange.
You do not wish me to think you a con-
federate, and, unless you tell me, what
else am | to think"
II was then that her expression
changed and her face lit up with
indignant excitement.
81 will not tell you, sir"' ,
She paused for an instant and L read
her innocence in the look. Whatever
the mystery, she was not crimal.
Think what you please, L Will not
tell you"
before [ had time to reply Mrs. NJ
- rose TO her. feet, and, taking the
yonng girl by the hand, turned to me
"You are mistaken, sir, in your
IMPRESSIONS. This Is a family mystery
the child is not to blame. Had l
known il sooner / should have dispensed
with your services; but you will obliSe
me by retiring and pursuing your IN
vestigation no further"
Ii was impossible TO resist the grave
dignity of this grand old lady. We took
our leave in a perfect whirl of amaze
ment. confess to my share OF
curiosity, hut all the events of that
morning bewildered me. | thought OF
nothing all that day ave the mystic
rious burglary. l did not speak of it to
Sthers, for it was evident that Mrs.
Ms did not wish it canvaSsed, and my
own powers of reflections were unable
to solve it.
The next day ] received u note inclos-
ing a fee for my trouble, and enjoining
the s~trictest silence in regard to the
events which had occurred. Of course
| obeyed; it was nothing to me and L
tried TO forget it, but | could not No
matter what business engaged my at
tention, | found myself thinking ofthat,
and 50 a year passed away.
One night a man was shot in a drum
ken brawl. He was a noted character
a burglar. / was near him when he fell.
He called to me, and l bent above the
stricken man, from whom the life-blood
was Oozing fast.
xviii you do me a fayor@s
"If l ean-yes."
"You know Mrs.-the English lady".'
YES"
'Tell her / am deadn
Unutterly surprised, l would have
asked him more-would have question
ed him as to how the life or death of q
burglar could interest her? But he
waived me off.
r / did his mission-carefully as / could,
: i impaired my intelligence. 1t was re-