Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-21
themselves on the track Of the dastardly perpe-

tentIVely. and can even now recall every word,
it yet failed at the time to produce the effect
coveted, 1t was powerless to make me forget,
even for moment, my own fOrorn positions
deserted BRIDE When l had finished reading
looked at the timepiece. 1t was nearly ten
o'clock. At this moment q man was ushered in
by the waiter. / recognized him at once as the
same who had come on the cab from the sta
ton.
The newspaper was still lying spread out
before me on the table. Resting my hands upon
1t, l looked at the intruder. "Do you come
from Mr. Harrington'" asked.
'You have brought me message?"
"a note"
SO saving, he strobe forward and laid folded
slip of paper before me. A small key fell from
it as opened it. These words were scrawled
in pencil:
"DEAREsT: Enclosed is key Of my pOrtman-
teau. The bearer has my instructioDs.-E. H."
I'm here to open the gentlemsns portman-
teau ma am; and the sooner You show 1t to me
the quicker things will get DONE"
'But we have not been out Of England"
began. some vague old memories of custom
house duties fitting through my mind 1.-The
pOrtmanteau is in there" l added; for, after
ALL had l not proof this man was sent by Ed
gar?
Scarcely had spoken when he dragged the
pOrtmanteau in from the adjoining bedroom,
and commenced a most careful examination ofthe
contents. How it chafed me to see those coarse,
things which to me, his wife, would have been
sacred!
Was Edgar compelled by the business which
had called him away to stay all night? This in
depreciation of the affair occurred to me at see
ing two or three articles of dress-after under
going strangely close scrutiny-placed on one
side. Something fell from the wastcoat-pocket
as the man was folding It. He picked it up
looked at it eagerly. and there burst from him
sudden, uncomfortable cry of surprise.
''What is that?'
Nothing" he answered awkwardly, and
thrust it into his own pocket.
81 insist on your showing me what you have
got there. 1t belongs to my husband and not to
you. conclude. Show it instantly" said, for
l felt certain now this man was insolently ex-
ceedng his prerogative.
''If you insist, OF course will. But, my dear
lady, III take upon me to say your husband
would rather did not"
IL order YOU"
his hand. opened it. and showed watch-a
small gold watch. On the back was mono
gram in brilliants. To the swivel hung about
an inch of slender broken chain. Only watch
an inch of broken chain.
saw 1t as it lay there In his open palm. 1
close my eyes and see it now, and feel again the
cruel pang that shot through my heart as the
story OF the murder l had just read suddenly
stood out before me like living picture painted
in flames of fire.
the face of the man. My eyes were opened
then, and knew him to be a policeman. For
the moment l was myself murderess in
thought, wishing l could kill him where he
"And hem. Harrington-my husbands
accused OFF" gasped then paused
"Of murder. It's an ugly word, but YOU
would have it, ma'am. The gentleman said as
how You knew nothing, and needn't know till
morning"
But he is Innocent" l cried In agony. He
could not do this thing-never-never!"
ION! IL your can prove all alibi he's safe
enough" returned the man, in tones that ex-
pressed more than doubt.
Alas! had not seen Edgar from parting with
him on Saturday afternoon until that-Mon-
Gay-mornng. What was there could do or
say to help him?
g. But where is he? Surely they will accept
bail2"
Bail? evidence against him far too strong
for that he answered. looking with eXuItant
satisfaction at the bundle of clothes he held in
his arms. "Accused's at the - police sta
ton, where hen stay right enough till morning.
Can't waste no more time here. Good night,
maam."
And carrying with him the "eyidence. ~ he left
me alone in my misery.
1t was no mere dream. no nightmare, from
when should presently awake and smile as at
terrors past. 1t was most fearful reality, this
charge against my husband i sank upon the
of it. The next sprang to my feet, seized with
sudden subtle inspiration.
Sunmonlng the waiter, l said to him az
colectedly as could: ''There is an old gentle
man here, called Gooderngham - Mr. Septi-
mus Gooderingham. l wish to see him i'm
mediatey"
He assured me that among 80 many
people no attention was paid to names Of
casual corners. If / knew the gentleman's
''number'-
Find me his number and this is yours" So
saying. | laid golden bride upon the table.
The waiter was not long in earning his reward.
The gentleman's number was 40; but he was
out.
How should know when he returned? Could
trust to any one in this huge hotel to tell me2
No. would 90 to his room myself and wait.
There was little difficulty in carrying out nv
project, Wrapping myself in my large warm
travelling cloak and putting on my bonnet. l
went the staircase to No. 40. The KEY was
in the door. Not the slightest idea have how
long sat there in the cold and darkness; but at
last heard the handle turn, and Mr.. Gooderin.-
ham came in.
Never shall forget the look of unutterable
ols'nay That Overspread his CHEEKY face, as rails
III" the candle he carried in his hand. he allowed
the light to fall upon me- Before he conld
speak, grasped him by the arm and looking at
MIN steadily SAID, IN so calm voice it seemed
to me as though another. not |, was speaking:
MY husband las been arrested-charred
He is Innocent know that he is innocent. We
were only married this morning. Mr. Gooder-
!ngham something tells me that you can save
him."
1t has been said that man is guided by reason.
woman by impulse: but I should say woman's
guide Is instinct. rather than impulse in such a
case as mine. Some strange instinct-most
surely it was not reason-caused me to believe
this man could save Edgar. SO firm was the be-
lief that it gave me a fictitious strength. and
when had related every detail that was known
to me. asked:
'Now that you know ALL what will you do?"
But don't know all" returned Mr.. Gooder-
ingham. II only know one side yet. and that
ver> imperfectly; and say that, as far as cir
cumstantial evidence goes, It's enough to hang
your husband or any other man. But now ri
work up the other side, of course"
ITO prove my husbands innocence?"
NO young lady. To prove the t,uh."
Was l disappointed with this answer? No!
Ny faith in Edgars innocence was complete
To know the truth would prove it,
Mr.. GOOderingham sat for some moments
silent. lost in thought. Presently he asked:
"By the by. you said there was diamond mono
gram upon the watch?"
yes"
Again for n few seconds he lookod tbourb+f,,