Telegram-herald., 1889-11-26

card, with the Information that the lady
VA nor al home. he was not surprised
or iisconcer-ed
II that means, he said % the ser
want ''that Miss Ashgroye is denying
herself 10 visitors this afternoon, please
say % the lady that Alr. Holbrook calls
upon business OF the utmost Importance
and Of unusual interest % her"
The servant went away a second time,
leaving him seated IN the reception room,
and returned 70 say that the lady would
see him in a few moments.
He did not wait long. for Flora, still
in morning toilet. followed the servant
closely. She was cold and naughty in
the extreme. but none the less wearied
and anxious.
She saluted Mr.. Holbrook, and with
out waiting for a return, she said TO the
servant:
Il am not AZ home to any other callers,
no matter who they may be-"
She closed the door after her, and sat
down IN such position that the light
was upon HolbroOk's face. while her
own was in the shadow. She waited for
Holbrook 70 speak. turning upon him
with polite look Of inquiry.
Her manner conveyed that the call was
10 De regarded as one purely of business.
HolbrOOk felt it. and was stung by her
manner. Upon her part she felt that the
blow she dreaded so much was about to
fall
HOlbrook accepted the situation, feel
ing that IN the end he must win.
Il beg you viii excuse my urgency" !"
he began, ''but necessity knows no law
Of etiquette or custom. The last time I
had the honor of calling upon you, the
conversation was wholly, if my memory
serves me. upon the then recent mur-
dero Mr.. Templeton. desire 70 renew
il.
Flora visibly paled under this exor-
dunn. She replied:
The subject Is not an agreeable one.
but | suppose you have a purpose In re-
newing it,
Il have, and also a confession TO
make"
a confessionr she repeated in sur
prise"
Yes, a confession. From your man
ner and from your words at that time,
a1d subsequently, from your manner at
the Casino. where I met YOU some davs
Afterwards. l arrived at the conclusion
that you suspected NJ. Fountain Of hav-
iug committed the murder"
The dreaded blow has fallen" she
thought, as she ca ped ont, her face
ghastly white, "ba you did not know
him: he told me So.
Il learned who D., was that night az
the Casino. he replied calmly.
I feared so. size said. with a low
moan. And yet he went to you the
next morning. Foo. fool. fool, that he
was
That conclusion" continued Hol-
brook, conscious be was t0rturing her as
cat does a mouse. "was strengthened
by the report of an interview between
Yourself and llr Fountain on the veran-
"a If your urcies house at Newport"
She spranc % hep feet. nerved by the
strong tide of anger and contempt that
swept over her.
And were you low enough. base
enough. 20 spy upon US, OF % place a
srv upon us.
Hoiorook was struck with her great
beauty as She stood before him. burning
with scorn. and hs admired her.
"No. Miss AsaSrove. % hereplied. quiet
D.. 'vog wrong me. You are mistaken
Ia both oniectrres. I neither spied on
you nor placed one ON vou. The report
came to ma in my professional capacity.
after it was ali over. and without my
knowledge that Nr. Fountain was being
followed and waiched This. I saw. con
frmed tna suspici'ns and siren ugthened
mr conclusions. buf desire % saw to
v'u now that both of rs have been
wrong. hasten 20 inform ~-u that Mr
Fountain did rot commit the deed.
'sDii not Tho revui sion Of feeling
vas too great She sank back in her
chair. and for a moment Holbrook
thought she would oon.
he started up hastily % 60 % her as
sfstancs. BUT she waved him back. and
ar.sr ssipreme effort regained control
OF herself
"How-hs IS innocent
Eyes. innocent He was not within a
hundred miles Of Union square when
tie deed was done
And why do YOU come To me with al
urT
tLavinr rspcssessed herself, she took
r-tlEa ira hauEhtiness. while her manner
was an assumption of extreme indiffeT-
srcs.