The Portland daily press., 1883-05-18

no clew to the unfortunate ladys identity.
Her appearance and dress were both mi-
nutely described The latest accounts stated
that the police believed themselves on the
track of the dastardly perpetrator Of the
crime.
How was it that, although read this So
attentively, and can even now recall every
word. II yet failed at the time to produce the
effect L coveted? 1t was powerless to make
me forget, even for a moment, my own for
Torn postion-a deserted bride.
When | had finished reading / looked at
the timepiece. 1t was nearly 10 O'Clock. At
this moment a man was ushered In by the
waiter. l recognized him at once as the
man who had come on the cab from the sta
ton.
The newspaper was still lying spread out
before me OH the table. Resting my hands
upon it, looked at the intruder. DO you
come from Mr.. Harrington asked.
i do ma am
You have brought me messenger
"A note.'
SO saying, he strobe forward and laid a
folded slip of paper before me. A small key
fell from II as | opened it. These words
were sorawled in pencil:
'Dearest-Inclosed is key Of my portman-
teau. The bearer has my instructions. --E.
H.
I'm here to open the gentleman's port
manteau, ma'am; and the sooner you show
it me the quicker things will get done
But we have not been out of Il gland |
began, some vague old memories of Custom
House duties fitting through my mind, The
portmanteau is in THERE | added; for, after
all, had | not proof this man was sent by
Edga.?
Scarcely had | spoken when he dragged
the portmanteau in from the adjoining bed
room, and commenced most careful exam
ination of the contents How II chafed me
to see those coarse, rough hands turning ov-
er my husbands things-thlngs which to
me, his wife, would have been sacred!
Was Edgar compelled by the business
which had called HIM away to stay all nightp
This Interpretation of the affair occurred To
me at seeing two or three articles of dress
after undergoing IA strangely close scrutiny
placed on one side. Something fell from
the waistcoat pocket as the man was folding
It. He picked II up, looked at IL eagerly ,and
there burst from him sudden, uncontrolla.
BILE cry of surprise.
what's tnat?.
Nothing lie answered awkwardly, and
thrust it into his own pocket
i insist ON You showing me what you
have got there. II belongs 10 my husband
and not to you, conclude. Show il IN
stantly, said, for felt certain, now, this
man was insolently exceeding his preroga-
tive.
If you insist, Of course will. But, my
dear lady, I'll take upon me 10 say your hus-
baud would rather would not
Il order you
Somewhat reluctantly, II seemed be drew
OUT his baud. opened Il, s;siisa sAewed watcn
Ia small gold watch. On the back was
monogram in brilliants. To The swivel hung
about an inch of slender broken chain Ohy
a watch--an inch OF broken chau.
saw IL as il lay there in his open palm. |
close my eyes anu see 1t nos, and feel again
the cruel pang that shot through my heart
as the story OF the murder had lust read
suddenly stood out before me like a living
picture painted in flames of fire.
From The pretty jewelied toy looked nto
the face of the man My eyes were opened
tnen. and knew him 10 be a policeman
For the moment was myself murdeTess
ia thought, wishing could kill hiIn where
he stood.
And he-Mr. Harrington-my husband
is accused Of" gasped: then paused.
OF murder It's an ugly word, bu. you
would have it, ma'am. Tae gentleman said
as how you knew nothing, aud needn't
know till morning.
But he is innocentr l cried, in agony.
He could not do this hing-never-neverg
'Ohi 1t you can prove an alibl, he's safe
enough returned the man, IN tones that ex-
pressed more tt an doubt.
Alas had not seen Edgar from parting
with him on sunday afternoon until that
MDnday-morniug. What was there Icould
do or say TO help him?
But where is he? Surely they will accept
--bailg
Bail? Evidence against him far too
strong for that he answered, looking with
exultant satisfaction at the bundle OF clothes
he held in bis arms. 'Accused's at the
Police Station, where he'll stay right enough
till morning. Can't waste no more time
here. Goodnight, ma'am.'
And carrying with him the 'evidenc /, he
left me alone in my misery.
fro BE coSrSUED.l