Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-02-03

for he missed her from the parlcrs, and
hoping to find her in the conservatory,
he rose and bent his steps in that direc-
tion, with suppressed eagerness in his
eyes which told her how deeply his
heart was involved in the power OF this
woman.
He had not more than half made his
way thither when q servant touched his
elbow and delivered g. whispered but
imperative request from his sister to
meet her instantly in the library. There
was something in the messengers man
ner which convinced him that the bust
ness, whatever it was, could not wait;
so, with muttered imprecation under
his mustache, he turned on his heel
and retraced his steps to the library. It
seemed that fate was bound to thwart
him in every attempt he made to de-
clare his passion.
When he stepped within the library,
what scene met his gazel His proud
sister lying in an attitude of despair
upon the sofa, weeping as il her very
heart would break, and, under the gas
light, in her tasteful evening toilet, with
white face and blazing eyes. closely
guarded by two officers of the law
Hiss Haggerty.
He stood like one suddenly turned
into stone. 20, Fredl' cried his sister,
Historically, ''there is some awful, 0,c-
ful mistakel I sent for you to explain
to these officers who she is, and how
o, Fred. why don't you say something?"
she implored, as Ter brother stood
speechless, looking from one to another
of the strange group.
"There is no mistake sir" said one of
the officers, stepping forward, respect
fully. "You and your sister have been
imposed upon by a notorious adventur-
ess. This woman is Madame Arditi,
an italian, and the wife of ruined
italian count, and together they have
been engaged in several noted robber-
les. She has made use of her beauty
and talents to gain foothold in wealthy
families whom they intended to victim
ize. In one case, at least, she went so
far as to actually marry her victim, in
order TO rob him to better advantage.
1t is lucky for you, sir" significantly,
''that we have traced her up SO soon
(Which we did," added the other
officer, "by shadowing her husband,
and following him, last night, to this
very house. Now We have got them
both"
''AIiss Haggerty-Kate-can this be
true?" Fred fairly gasped, with face
as death-ike as her own. She did not
speak, but the white face and the gilt
tering eyes told their own story. Heart
sick and faint, he turned away.
81 did not mean to rob you," thrilled
that low, unspeskably sweet voice in
his ear, unheard by any other. 81
could have done that long ago.
meant to have married You, if / could
have escaped him" and Fred shuddered.
as his thoughts went back to that dark
browed italian, "for love you, and
know that your heart is mine this
moment"
Fred could not bear another word or
glance. He went from her presence,
taking with him the memory of q white,
despairing face which, guilty though it
was, would haunt him sorrowfully for
many q day. He did not soon cast her
from his heart, for hers had been no
ordinary power. The process was slow
and painful. But when q certain pic
turesque old orchard among the New
Hampshire hills was again white with
apple blossoms, Flora Blake's trusting
heart had its reward, for there Fred
Marburg gave his own forever into her
keeping, after telling her, without
reserve, the whole sad, humiliating