The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-03-06

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expect visit tomorrow at twelve
o'clock from doubtful clergyman; just
hang about the lawn on the chance of
my giving you signal"
Thus while MOncktOn was mounting
! his batteries, his victims were prepar-
ing defenses in a sort of general way,
though they did not see their way so
clear as the enemy did.
Colonel Clifford's drawing-room was
magnificent room, fifty feet long and
thirty feet wide. A number of French
windows opened on to a noble balcony,
with three short flights of stone steps
steps were broad, the side steps narrow.
There were four entrances to it; two by
double doors, and two by heavily cur
tanned apertures leading to little sub
sidiary rooms.
AT twelve o'clock next day what with
the burst of color from the ported flow
ers on the balcony, the white tents, and
the flags and streamers, and clear sun
shiny day gliding it all, the room look
ed a palace of pleasure" and no strang-
er peeping in could have dreamed that
it was the abode of care, and about to
be visited by gloomy Penitence and in
durable Fraud.
The first to arrive was BARLEY, with
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Colonel Clifford and ushered into u
small room.
He wanted another witness. SoJOhn
Baker was sent for, and BARLEY and he
were clOseted together, reading the
deed, ETC., when fOOtman brought in
card, "The Reverend Alleyn Mere
dith," and written underneath with q
pencil, in female hand, "Mrs. Walter
Clifford"
admit them," said the Colonel,
firmly.
AT this moment Grace, who had heard
the carriage drive up to the door, peep
ed through one of the heavy curtains
we have mentioned.
"Has she actually Gomez" said she.
"She has, indeed" said the Colonel,
looking very grave. "Will you stay and
receive herr?
ooh no." said Grace, horrified; "but
I'll take good look at her through this
curtain. | have made little hole on
purpose" Then she slipped into the
little room and drew the curtain.
The servant opened the door, and the
false rector walked in, supporting on
his arm dark woman, still very beau
tiful very plainly dressed, but well
dressed, agitated, yet self-possessed.
"Be seated, madam" said the Colonel.
question her.
"You were married on the eleventh
day of June. 1868. TO a gentleman of the
name of Walter ClitfOrdf"
Il was. sir"
MAY ask how long you lived with
him."
The lady buried her face in her hands.
The question took her by surprise, and
| this was a woman orfifipa tn rai in finn q
and answer cleverly.
But the ingenious MOnckton gave it
a happy turn. Poor thing! Poor thingp
said he.
"He left me the next day." said Lucy,
sand have never seen him since"
Here MOncktOn interposed; he fam
cied he had seen the curtain move. "EX-
cuse me-" said he, Il think there is
somebody listeningw and he went swift
ly and put his head. through the curtain.
But the room was empty; for meantime
Grace was so surprised by the lady's ar
rival, by her beauty, which might well
have tempted any man, by her air of
responsibility, that she changed her
tactics directly, and she was gone to her
father for advice and information in
spite of her previous determination not
to worry him in his present condition.
What he said to her can be briefly told
elsewhere; what he ordered her to do
was to return and watch the man and
not the woman.
During Lucy's hesitation, which was
somewhat long, a clergyman came to
the window, looked in, and promptly
retired, seeing the Colonel had COM
pany. This, however, was only mod
half a moment that this must be Mark
Waddy's pal; but as the police like to
go their own way he would not watch
the lawn himself, but asked Jem Davies,
with whom he had made acquaintance,
to keep an eye upon that with his fell
lows, for there was q jail-bird in the
house; then he went round to the front
door, by which he felt sure his bird
would make his exit. He had no earth
ly right to capture this ecclesiastic, but
he was prepared if the Colonel, who was
a magistrate, gave him the order, and
not without.
But we are interrupting Colonel Cliff
fOrd's interrogatOries.
Madam, what makes you think this
dislOyal person was my SOM"
Indeed, sir, 1 don't know" said the
lady, and looking around the room with
some signs of distress. II begin to hope
it was not your son. He was a tall
young man, almost as tall as yourself.
He was very handsome, with brown
hair and brown eyes, and seemed incap-
able of deceit"
Have you any letters of his?" asked
the Colonel.
81 had great many, SIR said she,
"but L have not kept them all"
Have you one% said the Colonel,
sternly.
ooh, yes, sir" said Lucy, 81 think l
must have nearer twenty; but what
good will they be?" said she, affecting
simplicity.
"Why, my dear madam" said Monck-
ton, Colonel Clifford is quite right; the
handwriting may not tell you anything,
but surely his own father knows it. L
think he Is offering you very fair test.
/ must tell you plainly that if you don't
produce the letters you say you possess,
l shall regret having put myself for
ward in this matter at ALL"
Gently, sir" said the Colonel; "she
has not refused to produce them"
Lucy put her hand in her pocket and
drew out packet of letters, but she
hesitated, and looked timidly at Monck-
ton, after his late severity. Am /