Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-07-11

leo heiress with her twin brother Richary
OF great estate), to certain Montague I'D
Extraordinarily reputed as a bon b
Fde French Count and fortune seeking nd =
venturer--which was to have taken place
that morning, had bevn topic of high.
social gossip for many days. The dis.
tinguished family of "The Aspens" was
Well known to every one thereabouts, but
MISS Lulu, the young lady before me. had
until short time before, been mostly alb
sent Tor years at an up Hudson fnishinQ
academy.
You have saved my life, and owe YOU
this confidence continued the Young Girl
In low voice. "The bridegroom failed to
make his appearance--in his stead came a
nippant note, saying that tho wedding
must be indefinitely postponed. The com.
pahy We're shocked, my grandfather furi.
Gus, Doc, my brother. cool and deadly in
his resentment. l felt myself plunged in
everlasting disgrace. and was carried
swooning, to my room, where was left In
the charge Of Marion Digby, my friend and
%As this true story OF great criminal MYSTERY
and its ultimate solution Is founded altogether
upon the fecollections OF n veteran police de.
tectivc, who has rather reluctantly sanctioned
me to make use of them here have deemed ID
best to use the first person singular in the form
adapted to strict adherence to the facts
merely Disgusting the real characters under hc.
ttious names, out of respect to some of the
more worthy who chance to be living Mt the
present day, and some of whom 1 am ouite
sure, would willingly testify to the veracity OF
every thrilling adventure and startling episode
in the course of the story.-AUTHoR.
chief bridesmaid Thinking that finally
slept, she ventured to leave me. But.
though cunning to deceive her, I was
mad, distraught-with no other thought
than to cover my supposed disgrace by
self.destruction | stole unperceived from
the house, seemed in q nightmare the
vision OF the locomotive silently shooting
along the shining RI Is was my next welcome
but hideous recollection, and-but, ali. sir
you know the rest, and for the first time
she burst into passionate and remorseful
tears
strove to soothe her, and at length sue
ceeded.
"But you now rejoice that you have been
saved--saved from yourself?" / said
More, more than that" she cried, with
something almost like smile Frightening
through her tears. my folly and madness
are alike dissipated. l rejoice that there
was no wedding"
What! There was no love, then? You
did not really care"
Il did not love Mr. De Narchmont, and
had only yielded to his addresses upon the
earnest entreaties of my grandfather, she
interrupted. But 1 loved no one else,
and grew to rather like him. His accom-
plishments dazzled me; l was fascinated
by the stories of his wealth, his noble
name, his high position at the French
court; moreover, other girls, richer and
prettier than ], were envious of the match.
Hence, the bitterness of the disappont-
ment, which now begin to rejoice over"
Good" said I, heartily, and now. of
course, you will return at once to The
Aspens under my protection"
She drew back, apparently confused.
None but your friends need know of
this adventure, l urged, and even to
them, if you desire, shall ascribe it to
accident instead of intention"
MY pride is great, sir, but would not
save it by falsehood," she answered, SIM
ply, but still hesitating.
The public then, shall know nothing of
the affair in connection with your name,"
l said; neither of those railroad men re-
cognized you, as l observed, and the keen
est item gatherer that ever nosed his wav
into. mystery shall get nothing out Of
me-.
She looked pleased at this, but contin-
ued to draw back.
Pray, comet" persisted. considering it
but my duty to see her safely home. "You
may judge of my disinteredness by the |
way, when l say that it will cost me no lit,
tie sacrifice OF personal pride and feeling
to be seen accompanying even you, Miss
Lulu, to The Aspens.
"Oh" she exclaimed, opening wide her
eyes,
"a few words will explain Thirty years
ago, when mere boy in my native Ireland,
/ II, \ eakI, e. =
no right to think themselves better than |. |
He, with his, and I, with mine came to
this country at about the same time He has |
grown rich and proud. while l, after many
ups and downs, am still poor Tom Piercer.
detective policeman, with few friends
and only my wages and a little cottage up
yonder for an estate. Grandfather Dixon
has more than once endeavored to look
down upon me, or ignore me altogether
by reason of the difference that has arisen
in our conditions; and am as proud and
independent as he. Do you not now IN
derstand?"
Yes. Mr.. Piercer. and am sure my
grandfather will be as grateful to you for
having saved my life as even l can be. " she
replied, again extending her hand with the
fmnkness that was SO charming.
Come, then.
"Oh, will go back with you," she said,
taking my arm with nervous little laugh:
Il was only half afraid to meet Doc
again"
Who is DocY"
"The doctor-my twin brother Richard,
who had just come on from his medical
studies in Philadelphia 10 see me married.
and is SO deadly against Mr. De March,
mont Doc loves me dearly. buf is apt TO
scold me soundly when do wrong
Think no more Of il, sad !, reassur-
ingly; i shall make il all right with Doc
and the rest, never fear.
CHAPTER IL
FAMILY CONFIDENCE
The mansion designated as The Aspens"