Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-11-22


sometimes, aud as you are both the same
height, took you for one another
Brian did not answer, but there was a cold
feeling at his heart as he saw a possibility Of
his worst suspicious being confirmed, for just
at that moment there came into his mind the
curious coincidence Of the man who got into
the hanson cab being dressed the same as he
was What if-"nonsense," he said aloud,
rousing himself out Of the train Of thought
the resemblance had suggested
"Pm sure it isn't" said Madge, who had
been talking about something else for the
last five minutes. "YoI are a very rude
young man."
~ beg your pardon" said Brian, waking
up. "You were sayingn-
THAT the horse is the most noble of all
animals. Exactly"
~ don't understandn-begap Brian, rather
puzzled.
"Of course you don't, !" interrupted Madge,
petulantly; considering I've been wasting
my eloquence ON deaf man for the last ten
minutes, and very likely lame as well as
deaf" And to prove the truth of the re-
mark, she ran up the path with Brian after
her. He had long chase Of it, for Madge
was nimble and better acquainted with the
garden than he was, but at last he caugh.
her just as she was running up the steps into
the house, and then-history repeats itself.
They went into the drawing room and
found that Mr. Frettlby had gone up to his
study. and did not want to be disturbed.
Madge sat down to the piano, Lut before she
struck a note, Brian took both her hands
prisoners.
"Madge," he said gravely, as she turned
round, "what did your father say when you
made that mistake"
"He was very angry" she answered.
''Quite cross; I'm sure don't know why"
Brian sighed as he released her hands, and
was about to reply when the visitors bell
sounded, they heard the servant answer it,
and then some one was taken up stairs to
Mr.. Frettlby's study
When the footman came in to light the gas,
Madge asked who it was that had come to the
door.
81 don't know, miss, "he answered; "he said
be wanted to see Mr.. Frettlby particularly,
so took him up to the study"
"But thought that papa said be was not
TO be disturbedf'
eyes, miss, but the gentleman had an ap-
pointment with him."
Poor papa" sighed Madge, turning again
to the piano. HE has always got such lot
| to do"
Left to themselves, Madge began playing
Waldteufel's last new valse, adreamy, haunt
ing melody, with a touch of sadness in it,
and Brian, lying lazily on the sofa, listened
Then she sang gay little French song about
love and butterfly, with a mocking refrain,
which made Brian laugh
Madge suddenly stopped, as she heard
loud cry, evidently proceeding from her
fathers study Recollecting Dr. Chinstons
warning, she ran out of the room and up-
stairs, leaving Brian rather puzzled by her
unceremonious departure, for though he had
heard the cry, yet he did not attach much
Importance to it
Madge knocked at the study door, and then
she tried to open it, but it was locked.
"Who's thereF' asked her father sharply
from inside.
'Only me, papa" she answered "Ithought
you were"-
mo! No-rm all right" replied her
father, quickly. "Go down stairs; I'll join
you shortly"
Madge went back to the drawing room
only half satisfied with the explanation. She
found Brian waiting at the door, with rather
"What's the matter9" he asked, as she
caused a moment at the foot of the stairs
Papa says nothing" she replied; "but I
am sure he must have been startled, or he
would not have cried out like that"
She told him what Dr. Chinston had said
about the state of her fathers heart, re-
cital which shocked Brian greatly. They did
not return to the drawing room, but went
out on the veranda, where, after wrapping
q cloak around Madge, Fitzgerald lit a cigar
ette. They sat down at the far end of the
veranda, somewhat in the shadow, and
could see the hall door wide open and a warm
flood OF mellow light pouring therefrom, and
beyond the cold white moonshine. After
about quarter of an hour, Madge's alarm
about her father having somewhat subsidized,
they were chatting on Indifferent subjects.
when man came out of the hall door and
paused for moment on the steps of the We
randa. He was dressed in q rather fashion
able suit of clothes, but, in spite of the heat
of the night, had thick white silk scarf
round his throat.
That's rather cool individual" said
Brian, removing his cigarette from between
his teeth. II wonder what-good God" he
cried, rising to his feet as the stranger turned
round to look at the house and took off his
hat for moment Roger Morelandl"
The man started and looked quickly round
into the dark shadow of the veranda where
they were seated, then, putting on his hat,
ran quickly down the path. and they heard
the gate clang after him
Madge felt sudden fear at the expression
On Brians face, and revealed by a ray of
moonlight streaming full on it.
"Who is Roger Morelandr she asked,
touching his arm. "Ahl remember" with
sudden horror ''Oliver Whytes friend"
Yes, in Il notrse whisper, "and one of the
witnesses at tho trial"