Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-21

and doing their best to screen him from
its consequences, My heart bled for
both of them; but 1t was no time to in
dulge in. sentimental pity. Speaking
as briefly as could, told them it was
INV duty-to compel them to remain
where they were while l searched the
house.
Mrs. Matteson sat down, pale and
trembling; her daughter colored
high.
mother" she said, "why do you
stand by and listen to such ISLANDERS?
1t is false! Let this man search the
house if he will; my brother is as inno-
cent as I amp
No opposition was offered TO my
search. It was entirely fruitless, how
ever-there was nowhere any trace OF
the flown bird. Nevertheless, con-
Guided to remain there quietly for day
or two, to. see what little Waiting
might bring forth.
The same afternoon Clara Matteson
came in, as sat by the piazza window,
keeping quiet watch on all the sur
roundings.
"Mr. Meredith" she said softly,
"mother thinks have been rude TO
YOU. She says it was not your iault,
personally, that you were sent here--on
such mistake, and perhaps she is
right. am very sorry if | have hurt
your feelings.n
The pretty, penitent way in which she
spoke quite won my heart, and few
questions on my part seemed to unlock
the hidden recesses of her confidence.
She talked at first shyiy, but afterwards
with more assurance of herself, her
absent brother, and her mother, giving
me thousand artlesS little family de-
tails which L almost dreaded to hear.
The twilight talk was one of the pleas
antest of my by no means universally
pleasant life, and Twas considerably an.
noyed when il was broken in upon 10y
the arrival of the Drownville constables
who were to watch through the night.
AT the sound Of their footsteps on the
piazza floor, Clara rose up ami sat down
again, confused and frightened.
go, Mr.. Meredith-those men"
"Be easy, Miss Mattesen," | said;
''youshall in no way beannoyed bythem.
IOurprivacy shallnO be broken lnupOn,
believe me-"
al know am silly" faltered Clara,
'Dul on IL SCtllls 81 OIcdtilNu.
Ny orders to the men were brief and
succinct. / stationed them as seemed
best to me, and then returned to spend
the evening with Miss Matteson. And
when l was at length left alone | could
not help thinkinS-God forgive me
how much more winning and graceful
she was than poor Kitty Elton.
At length an answer came to my re-
port to Mr.. Clenuer-it was short and
to the purpose:
"Come back-you are only losing
time. Ifthe bird has flown We must
look elsewhere for,him.h
| read the missive with pang. Clara
Matteson's cheek deepened in color as
announced my departure to her.
"You have been far kinder than we
dared to hope, Mr.. Meredith" she said
as | held her hand in mine.
"You will think of me sometimes
Clara?'
The reader will see how our intimacy
had progressed. She smiled, hung her
head, and, taking pair ofscissOrs from
the table, severed one bright tress from
the abundant tresses that hung over
her forehead.
"Keep this, Mr.. Meredith, in memory
of me-"
Was foolish to press the jotty ring
let to my lips ere laid it closely against
my heart? Clara evidently thought l
was-fOr she had laughed, but did not
seem displeased.
Mr.. Clenner seemed annoyed when l
got back to the bureau-rather an UNI
reasonable proceeding on his part, for l
certainly did all that man could do UNI
der the circumstances.
1--WE have been mistaken all the way
through, it seems" he said, biting his
lin. :7Strange-very strange--I was
never mistaken before i'll my calcutta
tons. Well, we must try again
/ went to Kitty EltOn's that night.
She received me with sweet, shy sad
ness of welcome that should have made
me the happiest man in the world; but
it did not. Clara Matteson's dark beauty
seemed to stand between me and her
like q visible barrier. When took my
leave there were tears in her eyes.
kitty, YOU are crying"
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 again and took my leave,
moody, and dissatisfied.
When reached the office next morn
ing Mr.. Clenncr was not there.
ale had gone to Drownville,' said
my fellow detective; che went last
night"
ITO Drownville?p
was seriously annoyed. Did Mr..
Clenner distrlst the accuracy of my re-
ports. Or did he imagine that | was
unable to institute thorough and COM
plete investigation of the premises?
"It's very strange" unused aloud.
Jones laughed.
"Well," he said, "you know Clenner
has way ofdoing strange things. De-
pend upon it, 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%n
"The best.
sEOu don't mean to say it.n
edward Meredith,lI knew 1could not
be entirely mistaken. Perley Matteson
is in the next room-half an hour from
now he will be in prison."
"Where did you apprehend him."
"At home in his mothers house."
Gut"
"He was there all the time you re-
manned there. Ned, my boy, you've
made blunder for once; but don't let it
happen again."
6What do you mean, sir?"
For reply he opened the door Of the
private inner apartment, his own spe-
cial sanctum. A slight boyish figure
leaned against the window smoking a
cigarette, with black curls tossed back
from marble white brow and brilliant
eyes. He mockingly inclined his head
as stared at him, with a. motion not
unfamiliar to me.
"Clara Mattesonw
eyes" he said, in soft, sarcastic
voice, "Clara or Perley Matteson, or
whatever you choose to call me. Many
thanks for your politeness, Detective
Meredith; and, if you would like an
other lock OF hair"
turned away, burning scarlet, while