Wichita eagle., 1889-11-10

man, torn from him III the conflict.
When, therefore. he was told at the
station house that the coroner would not
be at his office until noon that day, he
said nothing of the button, but asked to
be permitted to view the body.
1t had been removed to neighboring
u,ldertaker's and thither he bent his
steps. On looking at the cuffs of the
dead man (for his clothes had not vet
been removedD he found them supplied
with oxidized silver buttons.
my diamond button did not belong
to Templeton. he said. ''My first con-
cluson Is correct. will go to my office
and see the coroner at twelve"
As he left the undertaker's he met
Messing.
"Ah, you are Free" cried he.
Eyes, just free. They have verified
my story, and finding it confirmed in
every particular have let me go. So I'm
off for breakfast"
They parted, Holbrool going straight
wav to his Office.
There for time he became so en-
crossed in business that the murder and
the diamond button were driven from
his mind.
Upon what small threads do matters
of human interests hang?
The young lawyer had for some time
anticipated that contingency would
arise calling him from the city to dis
tant point for at least three weeks, in the
interest of client.
His mail that morning informed him
that the contingency had arisen. His
first impulse was Immediately to pre-
pare for his departure. His second
thought was, if he went the coroner
would not have him for witness, and
as matter of public duty he ought to
remain.
Then he thought that while the client
was a valuable one. nevertheless the
duties to be performed were of the sim
plest character-the experimenting Of
the signing Of papers and contracts al
ready drawn-so he called in neigh
boring young lawyer TO whom he often
rendered business, and who consented
to go.
Had Holbrook gone this story would
never have been written.
During the morning Holbrook received
q note from lady in whose good graces
he wished to stand high, asking him to
call upon her.
The lady was young and handsome,
and rumor said rich. She lived with her
uncle, her parents being dead.
Holbrook was greatly delighted with
the summons. He had been attentive,
but as yet had received little encourage
ment from the young lady.
Her manner toward him, while cour-
teous, was not different from that dis
played toward a dozen or more of the
young gentlemen with whom he was in
rivalry.
Her name was Flora Ashgrove, and
she was spoken Of in the clubs as The
handsome Flora"
Rumor die not credit any man with
having the favor of the fair Lady. Her
acquaintance of her own sex said she
angled for suitors and failed despite her
beauty Twenty men knew she had re-
fused the offer of one man at least.
She did not want for gallant in the
park nor an escort to the opera; she was
sure of an invitation to the hunt and
seat upon the most distinguished coach
in the parade; at each regatta her name
was seen among the guests of the most
sought after yacht. while at the charity
fairs her booth turned IL twice the mon
ey any other did.
These were hard nuts for her dear fe-
male friends to crack, but they hammer
ed at them persistently; consequently
she was great social success.
Holbrook was self contained young
man, whose good opinion Of himself was
fully equaled by his good looks, and upon
that score he was well content. While
not Of a very ardent nature, still he adj
mitted to himself that If the divine Flora
would but give him some sign that she
found more pleasure in his attentions
than In those Of others he could quite
readily fall in love with her; but until
she did he proposed to keep himself well
in hand and not make fool Of himself,
rs some others he could name had done.
The note living before him was tie first
he had received from her, and, indeed,
the first intimation be had had indicating
that she cared whether be came or went
He was therefore filed with pleasur-
able emotion and no little wonder.
The note had driven from his mind all
recollection Of the button and his vizit to
the coroner, and, dispoeing OF his bust
ness as speedily as possible, he took him
self to her uncle Residences handsome
dwelling in FSfty-sixth street, not far
from Fifth avenue.
When ushered into the richly furnished
pariors he was made aware that il was
the summer season The furniture was
covered, and 50 were the ornaments,
statuary and most Of the pictures
Then he remembered he had wondered
how it was that Miss Ashgrove was 10
the city at that time O; the year.
But one picture was exposed, and from
that the cover had been thrown hack
over the easel upon which il rested This
was the portrait Of the lady herself.
He fell to q study Of it, waiting the
coming OF the lady who had summoned
him to her presence
He thought IT would be fine thing TO
have so handsome head st his table.
Other layers woal.so hare given