The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-06
CHAPTER ".

"A clergyman to see Miss Maunder l will see him first myself" said Mis. Maintree in her stiffest tone. She wa. the principal of the Maintree House sem mary, the propriety of which was so rigic that no letters were permitted to be re ceived by the pupils or governesses, save such as could first be read by that dragon of virtue, the principal.
 She was absent from the school-reom ten minutes. The girls looked curiously at Ethel, and the latter wondered who i, could be. She knew of no clergyman likely to visit her, and was surprised by the gracious permission to go the draw. ing.room which Miss Maintree presently vouchsafed her; an indulgence due no, so much to the reverend visitors subtle Politeness as to the fact, casually made known by him, that he had three daugh. ters of an age to be at school. "You wished to see me?" Ethel said. surprised at confronting a short, portly clergyman, who was complete stranger to her.
 "I do. You look like sensible youns z lady, and l will tell you right out who am and what l want. Please don't fain, or scream, or all my trouble expended in making things comfortable for you will be thrown away. My name is Peters-I am detective officer. You know a gen. tleman called Crisp-I see you do. Are engaged to marry him? Just so. We'll, he has been charged-But there, read that. please, and pray be as caln as you can" And heput into her hand an early Globe, pointing out the report of the pro- ceedings at the Manson House. "Pfay oe as calm as you can"
 She went white to the lips as she read, but save one faint cry when its meaning broke upon her, gave no sign of the dem- onstrations so much dreaded bv the de tective.
 "Now am quite aware, miss, that you were the lady who was with the accused. If you are implicated "-he did not think after a glance at her face that she was "you had best say nothing. But if the young man is innocent, you take it very coolly, miss p
 "And why n ot p she cried indignantly. " Why should be troubled because a false charge is brought against him, Why" But then her voice broke, and she cried piteously. "Oh, tell me. sir. how can help him {"
 " First, miss, by telling me all you did on Saturday," The girl did SO and he took note of it. "Quite so," he said. when he had heard all, "but may I ask if you met by appointment P
 She colored. had a message from him on the Friday morning."
 "Verbal or written ?"
 Neither. l cannot receive letters here, so when Ernest could take me out on Saturday-his and my half holiday he would put an advertisement in Fri days Skaadarx. It was foolish, perhaps. but Ernest had fancy to put it in cipher. and l, we'll" with a bright blush--"i liked it because it took me longer to read the message"
 @Juss 90! Youm forgive me saying that now know you are telling me the truth. So will you please explain what that ugly itle bit meansr' He handed to her the slip he had shown to MT. PaIkman. and pointed out the words, < I will have rid myself of our vorst enemyn
 Yea We had a silly quarrel told him-oh, how could 7-that his temper was his worst enemy and mine. He meant that as al mean he wished to apologize and make 1t up."
 One more question, young lady. What should you say if told you that Mir. Crisp denied on his way to the Man. sion house this morning being the author of that 2"
 @sayp she cried 6srcely. Il should {