Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-02-23

The twilight talk was one OF the most
pleasantest episodes of my by no means
pleasant life, and I was considerably
annoyed when it was broken in upon
by the arrival of the brownsville con-
stables, who were to watch through the
night. At the sound of their footsteps
on the piazza floor Clara rose anu sat
down again, confused and frightened.
"Oh, Mr.. Meredith, those men"
"Be easy, Miss Matteson," ! said
"you shall not in no way be annoyed
by them. Your privacy shall not be
broken in upon, believe me-"
II know am silly" faltered Clara,
"bnt oh! it seems 80 dreadfall"
My orders to the men were brief and
sufficient. stationed them as it seem
ed best to me, and then returned to
spend the evening with Miss Matteson
And when I was at length left alone
could not help thinking-God forgive
mellow much more winning she was
than poor Kitty Elton.
At length an answer came to my re.
port 10 Mr.. Clement was short and tc
the purpose:
"Come back. You are only losing
time. Your bird has flown and we
must look elsewhere for him."
I read the missivc with a pang
Clara Matteson's cheek deepened color
as / announced my departure to her
"You have been far kinder than we
dared to hope, Mr.. Meredith" said she
as held her hand in mine.
"You will think of me sometimes,
Clara?"
The reader will easily perceive our
intimacy had progressed. She smiled,
hung her head, took 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 memo
ry of me-"
Was l foolish to press the ietty ring
let to my lips, as I laid it closely
against my heart? Clara evidently
thought 1 was, for she laughed, but
did not seem displeased.
Mr.. Clenner seemed annoyed when
got back to the bureau-rather an
unreasonable proceeding on his part,
for l certainly did all that man could
under the circumstances.
ave have been m istaken all the
way through, it seems" he said biting
his lips. "Strange-very strange. l
was never mistaken before in my cal
culAtions. We must try again."
81 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 Matte
sons dark beauty seemed to stand be.
tween me and her like q visible bar
rier. When | took my leave there
were tears in her eyes.
"Kitty, you are crying2"
Because you are changed. Edward,
you do not love me as well as you
did !"
kitty, what nonsense!
/ was vexed because ] knew her &C
cusation was true, and took my leave,
moody and dissatisfied.
When / reached the office next
morning, Mr. Clenner was not there.
"H9 has gone to Drownville," said
my fellow detective che went last
night"
'To Drownville ?"
/ was annoyed. Did Mr.. CIenner
distrust my reports, or did he imagine
that was unable to institute thorough
and complete investigation of the
premises?
dts very strange" | unused aloud.
Jones laughed.
"Well," he said, "you know Clenner
has a way of doing strange things. De.
pend upon it, he has good reason 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"
"The best"
"You don't mean to say that you've
got him ?"
al do mean to say. Edward Mere
dith, l knew l could 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."
Out"
"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"
"What do you mean, sir p
For reply he opened the door of the
private inner apartment. 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 in
clined his head as / stared at him, with
motion not unfamiliar to me.
CLARA Matteson /"
"Clara Matteson, or Perley Matteson,
or whatever you may choose to call
me. Many thanks for your politeness.
Detective Meredith; and if you want
another lock of hair"
| turned away burning scarlet, while
Mr.. Clenner closed the door.
"Never mind, my boy, it will be q
lesson to you," he said laughing. "He
made very pretty girl, but am not
at all susceptible"
What adouble-dyed fool had beenl
/ had lost the reward-failed in the es-
timation of my fellow officers, and be-
haved like poor brute to poor Kitty
and all for what?'
l went to Kitty and told her the
whole story, and to my surprise, the
dear faithful little creature loved me
just as well as ever.
81 won't be jealous of Perley Mat
teson, Edward" she said, smiling,
whatever might think of his sister.
And, dearest, don't be discouraged.
I'll wait as long rs you please, and
you'll be second Mr.. Clenner yet"
She was determined to look on the
bright side of things, this Kitty of
mine. But / felt the modification
none the less keenly, although as Mr..
Clenner said, it would undoubtedly
prove a good lesson to nae.
Perley Mstteson's girlish beauty is
collapsed in the state prison-nor do l
pity him. The stake for which he
played was highland he lost.
Improved sleeping Cars for the En-.
glish.