The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05

strstchlne beyond. When had quite reached
the end l paused. for lonely cottage stood on
each side OF the street Each cottage was sur
rounded by a garden; and both Raven, when he
had written TO me- and my landlord, when di-
recting me, had omitted to say Upon which
side the Curfew cottage stood While I
was standing there, hidden behind tree.
/ saw q man, whose face was concealed by the
wide brim of slouched hat, standing in the
the road. AS 1 looked. I saw him furtively
withdraw his hand from the inside of one of the
low. wids-0pened windows. His hand was
empty, so that the movement was as though he
had placed something away. He was evidently
not thief. No; he was not thief; for as he
stepped stealthily and quickly along, and passed
saw beneath the slouched hats brim the marvel
ously handsome features of Edgar Raven.
Was this cottage, then. his resdence2 Or was
It the Curfews', and did ne live WITH themI On
theory dismissed. Could it be then, that.
after all, MAZDA was really married, and that
this wretch her husbanda / had gone
through too much to pause now. As soon as
Raven had passed down Mayeorge street and
was out of hearing, approached the cot
tage and rang the bell. My cold hands. beating
heart. trembling knees. and swim ming head tes-
tilted to the nervous horror that oppressed me.
In another moment heard some one coming
slowly to the door. It opened. Before me
stood the old woman whom had saved. She
did not recognize me. docs Miss Curfew live
here?"
The old woman looked at me keenly.
Eyes, SIR she answered.
"And Mr.. Ravenf" asked, the question came
from me against my wish Yes sir" answered
the old woman in the same hesitatng manner.
So it was truel That fatherless liar. that re-
morseless vivisector of human hearts. lived I'M
der the same roof with my darling.
Twill you please give Miss Curfew my cardg"
I was shown into the parlor. No
there. Without pausing instant l advanced
to the window through which had seen Raven
withdraw his arm. On a small table whose top
was about on line with the window-sill lay a
letter bearing the simple address, Miss Mazda
Curfew." While was glaucing at it the door
opened and the angel of my dreams stood before
me, more beautiful in her modest composnre
than when upon that wild night I had strained
her to my breast. Once within the room. she
Flushed slightly. and 1 blushed too. you
you do not know me-" stammered.
Not know you2" she exclaimed, in accents of
the deepest gratitude mot know the man who
held one of my hands in both Of hers, while her
features looked still more beautiful in their
deepening flush.
But how is that posstble9" asked.
She paused. ''Mr. Raven told me you were to
be here at 10 this morning"
But should not have thought that posi-
ble." 1 replied, ''since be told me this morning
that such person as Miss Curfew resided in
Silverton."
We had sat down. At these words she almost
sprung to her feet
"Mr. Raven told you soW
Certainly. He met me at the station about
o'clock this morning and accompanied me to
my room"
She rose rapidly from her seat, her face flush
ing painfully.
He and had become intimate friends" 1
added, and explained briefly the circumstances
May ask how you recognized each other,
seeing that you had never met" she asked. I
explained the exchange of photographs. Shades
of confusion and surprise passed over her fea-
lures Then taking from the mantlepiece pho
tograph had not noticed. she handed 1t to me
and said:
Is this the gentleman who met you at the sta
tionl"
looked Yes; there were the magnificent
features again. Here was the prototype of the
likeness on my mantel in New York AS
looked AZ it, heard Miss Curfew utter an ex-
clamation of surprise. Her ewes had fallen on
the letter, and she calculated: How came this
here| I described the circumstances under
which had seen Mr.. Raven place 1t there only
a few moments ago.
"Will you excuse me9' she said, and as turned
away she opened the envelope. Silence ensued
looked out of the window. In a moment more
Read! read!" she exclaimed, and taking the
letter which she extended L read the following:
Dearest Mada-By the time you read this note
it in all my life write this not from penitence
from remorse, but because my .ofense has been de-
tected at the postofice, and dare remain here
other hour. Sooner later you must know all the
truth. prefer that you should know it all from
hitherto without detectionvarious letters the ad-
dress of which excited my curiosity cupidty.
Some of those which passed between Edgar
Raven and DR.. Paethorp thus came to my
found that DR.. Palethorp about to
him. in order to judge what kind of he was. 1
knew of reader than that of adopting the
of Edgar Raven the friend to whom he at
tached did telegraphing. under that signature,
that I would meet him at the. station early
him BY the photograph / had seen in Ravens
felt douby furious. for that he
was an honorable L lied to him. I told him
you did not live here-that your existence in
vention. He believed hoped to drive him back
the moment did not stop to think that on his ar
rival there fresh letters would continue to reach him
cline to answer them. the final explanation, could |
only be deferred. and my perhdidy be discovered
not dare, take to flight Yours eternally,
CHARLES PLAISTED.
Amazed at this iniquity, I gazed at her in
silence.
Thank God 1t is So" I exclaimed ut last. |
Craven remains to me-my truest friend |
There conspiracy between him and me for |
me to meet you Is he in the housea'
Yes. left him up stairs. will go and bring |
him. and leave you alone together for know |
that he esteems you, as much as you do him. |
She was heard her light feet mount the |
stairs There was entire silence for few mo- |
rnents and then heard feet returning. The |
door opened. Miss Curfew entered alone.
DR. Paethrop," she said in an embarrassed |
tone ~ am afraid you will be disappointed, |
but am Edgar Raven"
Then. e'er l could speak word, as all that |
this implied flashed across me, she continued |
rapidly: II wrote The Modern Inferno! chose |
the name of Edgar Raven simply from caprice. |
It has not yet transpired that Edgar Raven is a |
grl-a woman was hattered-immensely fat |
tered by your appreciation / wrote you as I |
did, first to give spice to monotonous life |
Then was ashamed to tell the truth. l could |
not see my way and made all the misrepresen- |
tation did to whether-O how can / say it |
whether l could tire your patience. I sent |
Mr.. Plaisted's photograph because, of course, I |
could not send my own. He of the very
few who knew the secret Of my adopted name |
but ali"
She hid her face in her hands, but the bushes |
were visible through her fingers. l do not know /
how did 1t. But in moment more had her |
in my arms, exclaimlng, passionatey, Il love |
you'll love you'll" for had We not explored each |
others souls, and was there much more left to |
be said? We loved each other perfectly. The /
dear old grandmother in, and wept and |
laughed romance, and year hence
was proud and happy great grandmother as |
We could wish to
The Ways of Women.
Saadi: A handsome woman is jewel; q good |