Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-03-01

search. 1t was frultless however
there was nowhere any trace of the
flown bird. Nevertheless / concluded
to remain near the house quietly for a
day or two, and see what little wait
ing might bring forth.
The same afternoon I saw Clara
Matteson standing by the window,
keeping a silent watch on all the sur
roundings. Soon she said softly,
Mother thinks [ have been rude to
you. She says it was not your fault
personally, that you we're sent here
on such mistake, aud perhaps she is
right. I am sorry if have hurt your
feelings.
The pretty, penitent way in which
she spoke quite won my heart, and a
few questions on my part seemed to
unlock the hidden recesses of her con-
fidence. She talked at first shyly, but
afterwards with more assurance Of her
self, her absent mother, and brother,
giving me a thousand little family de-
tails, which I almost dreaded to hear.
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 and sat
down again, confused and frightened.
ooh, 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-"
81 know 1 am silly" faltered Clara,
"bnt OIL it seems so dreadfulr'
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 [ 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 to Mr.. Clement was short and to
the purpose:
"Come back. Ycu are only losing
time. Your bird has flown and we
must look elsewhere for him"
I read the missive with a pang.
Clara Matteson's cheek deepened color
as I 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 a 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
nv of me-"
Was foolish to press the lefty ring
let to my lips, as I laid it closely
against my heart? Clara evidently
thought [ 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 | certainly did all that man could
under the circumstances.
awe have been m istaken all the
way through, it seems" he said biting
his lips. 9'Strange-very strange. [
was never mistaken before in my cal
cuiations. We must try again"
81 went to Kitty Elton's that night.
She received me with a 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 visible bar
rier. When | took my leave there
were tears in her eyes.
''Kitty, you are crying?"
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 I reached the office next
morning, Mr. Clenner was not there.
"H9 has gone to DroWnville," said
my fellow detective; she went last
night"
''To Drownville ?'
1 was annoyed. Did Mr.. Clenner
distrust my reports, or did he imagine
that | was unable to institute thorough
and complete investigation of the
premises?
cts very strange" I 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"
I 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? ?"
~ do mean to say. Edward Mere
dith, knew 1 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"
"But-"
manned there. Ned, my boy, you've
made blunder for once, but don't let
it happen again"
"What do you mean, sir ?"
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 a marble white brow
and brilliant eyes. He mockingly in
clined his head as I stared at him, with
motion not unfamiliar to me.
"Clara Matteson !"
''Clsra Mstteson, or Perley Matteson,