The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-03
THIBoDAUX, La, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY g. 1888

They are dearer to me than my life, he
said. 'and l will never part with them bu:
with life!'"
"Does this lady know of your cousins
Disappearance
'.She has heard nothing from me-" an.
swered Clarice; "but am satisfied that she
knows OF Clarence's disappearance"
''Strange" the young man said, thought
fully.
Then a cold chill ran through his veins,
and a horrible suspicion-a suspicion that he
/ would not utter-fashed through his brain.
''Look at her face.' said Clarice. lifting
the curtain from before the picture. land
tell me if you can read the secrets of. this
Woi,laE'S Sorl."
James Dalton gazcd long at tie oeau;l.us
mini .ture.
''Tle face is that of an ancelr' he e..
Claimed; ''nO shadow of wrong can lurk be-
Meath the light of those radiant blue eyes,"
Clarlce laughed scornfully us She dropped
the black drapery over the easel.
''That is ever IL ans reasoning" she said:
edo you forget that the Marchioness de
Brinvillers was as lovely as a Hebe-that
Lucretia Borgia was more beautiful than
Juno! The face is but mask, the more
completely hidden is the heart beneath"
''Hark!' exclaimed the young man. II
heard carriage stopping at the door below.
Can it he any tidings OF Clarence?"
No; those who have destroyed Clarence
Suydam are above suspicion. 1t is not to
the police tha! must look for help"
She walked to thu window and looked out.
sit is Miss Ovington's carriage!' she ex-
Claimed. ''What can have brought her
here? Nay, do not stir. James," she added,
as the young man was about to leave the
zoom. Il told you that l should have need
Of your aid. Wait! wait and watchr'
The room was in shadowy obscurity, only
Illuminated by long rays of light, which
streamed through the narrow apertures be-
tween the shutters, which were left q little
way open to admit this light. James Dalton
seated himself in the shadow; Clarice Suy-
dam remained standing before the easel.
Miss Maud Ovington drew back with a
gesture Of establishment as she entered this
half-darkened room.
''What. in mercy's name, does this mean?"
she exclaimed.
ut means, Miss Ovington," answered
Clarice: THAT my cousin, Clarence Suydam,
is dead7"
s'Dead?"
"Yes. You are surprised, are you not?'
"Terribly surprised" said Miss Ovington,
sinking into chair, and holding her hand
kerchief before her face.
'And yet his life or death could be of lit
tie consequence to you" replied Clarice,
''since you had proved your indifference to
him BY deserting him for q wealthier
''You arc very cruel to me, Miss Suydam,"
said Miss Maud Ovington, removing tho
handkerchief from her face, and lifting her
bright blue eyes, with q piteous expression,
toward the infexible countenance of Clarice;
''but will not speak Of that now. Tell me,
for mercy's sake, when and how did your
cousin dia7"
''You were here yesterday, Miss Owing
toni" answered Clarice, solemnly.
II was."
my cousin. Clarence suydam, died upon
the night succeeding your visit-last nightr'
for ne was in perfect health when saw him.
In Heavens name, Miss Suydam, speak out
how did your cousin die?"
"Shau speak out, Miss Ovingtonl" asked
Clarice, with peculiar emphasis upon her
words.
yes"
mo, Miss Maud Ovington, IL Is too soon
yet for plain speaking. Idecline to tell you
anything respecting my poor, unhappy cous-
in, but that he Is dead"
There was silence for some minutes, dur
ing which Maud Ovington seemed to be
thinking deeply.
Miss Suydam, she said, after this pause,
lit is in your power to grant me . very
great favor"
''Indeed, madam"
s'Will you grant it?''
"Perhaps- l know what It is"
<'Your cousin had in his possession num-
Der of letters written to him by me before
my engagement to the General All papers
belonging to Mr.. Suydam have no doubt
passed into your hands since his death.
Will you return those letters to me?"
II cannot, Miss Ovington."
'tYou cannot!'
''No, cannot, because those letters are
not in my possession. Clarence Suydam
had no secrets from me-we were as brother
and sister-and know that he carried the
packet containing your letters about him
until the hour of his death"
The rays of sunlight streaming through
the narrow openings in the shutter shone
full upon the face Of Miss Ovington. Clar.
ice Suydam saw that face change to the color
of alabaster.
''He carried the letters about with him at
the time Of his DEATH" exclaimed Miss
Ovington care you sure?"
II am sure"
''You could swear it?"
with my dying breath, if it were neces-
sary."
Enough, Miss Suydam. I have ~sked
you these questions and you have answered
them candidly. Twill distress you no longer
by my presence. (which must help to remind
you Of your grief. Good morning."
The accomplished woman Of fashion
bowed and swept from the room.
She descended the stairs and hurried to
her carriage, which was waiting for her at
the door of the house.
ITO Brooklyn" she said to the coachman,
who assisted her into the vehicle.
This coochman was fha man uhor,n cha