Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-16
CHAPTER W.

CHAPTER W.
 TELL-TALE SCAR
 Carol Chllder was going to ball-her Hrst ball-so it is not strange that her little head was almost turned with delight.
 UT course she dressed hours before time, and ran down to the square front parlor to survey herself in the tall mirror there, with the chandelier all lighted, and what the mirror gave back was slim, girlish shape robed in glistening, palest pink, the fair lace flushed and glowing with anticipation, smiles dlmpllng, bright eyes dancing white arms wreathed above her head as she looked at herself and murmured half aloud:
 VI wonder if you will do, Miss Childerq You look pretty well now, but how will it be when you get into room filled with love- " ladies! Can you ever hold your own with Miss Althea Everleigh, for instance 1. An, but am afraid you will look like pale nttle bud beside that queen rose beauty. Lyman admires her, 1 know he does, and that fancy is the reason she has invited me,so she can not be cold and hard hearted, as some great beauties are"
 Flashing around in little dance, Carols eyes Tell on mans figure in tho semi-ob- scurlty of the hall where the gas was turned low so as to leave her own illumina- tion more effective. He was further shad- owed by the portiere, and seemed to have paused ln passing to look in upon that lit tle scene of charming girlish vanity Carol stooo stlll to take breath, and then made a reckless dash at him.
 "Lyman, is that you. Did you catch mo admirlng myselfs Now, don't stop to laugh, but hurry, hurry, hurry, and get yourself up in killing style; but first tell mo aoW look. Here, let mo brlbe you with a dozen kisses to say that I am one-haif as pretty as Miss Althea Everlcigh."
 The two impulsive white arms were around his neck, the fresh arched mouth was put up almost to his, when suddenly, With gasp, Carol saw that this was not her brother. Another second, and she had caught her glistening robes around her and fled up the darkened staircase. hot with shame and grief, half-laughing and half crying, while her heart beat like a fright ened birds.
 Ana the young man in the case simply turned and let himself out at the door which the servant had left unlocked while she went ill search of Lyman Childer Ho would not for worlds have staid there to abash the young creature who had given nun that mistaken caress; but he was thrilled by it, lifted up to a heaven of bliss so slight are the conditions necessary to such a heaven for a lover who scarcely vet realizes that he is in love.
 Could Carol have known how reyerontlv he thought of her, some of her own hurt sensltlveness must have been soothcd away.
 II shall always be friend of theirs,n he thought. "A true friend, for her sake, to her brother"
 Now, to explain how Norris came to be there, for Norris it was. That interview with his uncle had had tho effect of sending nm, 1n Ike's company, to take another look at the express car when the empty train stood in the sheds between trips. It was nearly midnight, and the light of the brake mans lantern flashed hither and thither through the gloom. Some freight trains were being shifted out in the yard, but here. the empty coaches occupying the tracks seemed quite deserted
 Norris took the light and crept under tho express car, keenly examining every inch Of frame and beam and axle which lay near the spot where the aperture had been cut through the floor. Ike took lively inter- est from his place between the wheels, where he stood bent nearly double, with his hands braced on his knees, while his pale blue eyes followed the others movements
 "Don't reckon you'll find much that got away from the detectives" he observed, "One of them went so far as to try ride on the truck, but tell you he was sick of his job. They've mended the floor; you can sec where the boards join"
 "Yes," said Norris, looking at the spot
 He was recalling the exact appearance of the cut as he carried it in his mind-the keen saw strokes of skilled hand, and the piece perfectly fitted in it's place-and it was not until his eyes had rested upon it for a moment or two, that he was attracted by nail which protruded from the flooring. the end of which seemed covered by thick, red rust
 He put up his finger to touch it, then felt for his knife, while he called Ike to hold the lantern.
 "Got somethings" asked the brakeman, curiously.
 "It looks like bit of hair matted with dried blood. A man, cramped up under here, could easily throw up his head and give it an ugly scrape against that nail. I'll put this under microscope and see what can make of it."
 He carefully folded the scrapings he had made in bit of paper torn from his note- book, and put the little package into a poclz- ct of the same.
 As the two scrambled out of their uncom- fortable quarters, Norris fancied he heard footsteps receding, and there seemed to be movement among tho shadows near the end of the shed.
 "Who is thatp he asked, quickly. "Not
 
 them here at this time."
 "More likely a tramp in search of anight's lodging" suggested Ike.
 They hurried in that direction, but the figure, if there was one, had disappeared.
 On the following day Norris Bergman had strange visitor.
 His landlady tapped at his door and handed him card, which bore the name of Hiram Ingot, and in the thick-set, heavy featured man who followed close after Norris immediately recognized tho offensive indi- vidual who had proclaimed himself friend of the Childers. Mir. Ingot himself totally ignored any previous meeting between them. He made his business known after 2 few preliminary remarks.
 "I've heard of you, Mir. Bergman, through our mutual friend, Frost He tells me that