Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-08-21

Let me think, she said. Then half
aloud:
-What can possess Warren Leland 10
bury himself in that out of the Way placer
Even II he is ambitious to 60 to Congress
that seems roundabout way to get
there"
i can't enlighten you on the subject
said Slyme. 7 only know he hasn't
acted like the same man since his bosom
friends misfortune and disappearance.
His bosom friend? To whom do you
referG"
'Brownell, the civil engineer. He was
his classmats in college, you know"
-Ahl the young man whose wife died
so strangely some two or thres months
ago
Yes: and who, directly aftsrward, dis
posed Of everything and disappeared
went OF to Mexico, some say
And Warren Leland hasn't been him.
self sincel Ididn't suppose him capable
Of so much affection for his friend"
aSome say the affection was for his
friends wife, remarked the private sec
retary, dryly.
Il fear you are disposed to be cynical,
Elyms."
a0h.. not at all-quite the contrary"
AT any rate, ! hope you have never run
across Warren Leland in Roxbury.'
Il have taken good care not to do so.
and shall use the same caution in future. !"
That is we'll; but sooner or later he
will form the acquaintance Of your friend,
Mr.. Metcalf. if he has not already done 80. "
i fear that is inevitable"
And then is he not likely to learn
something Of you and your visits to the
Metcalf farm?"
What can he learn? Merely that am
Miss Testers brother, that am connect
cd with large commercial house in New
York, that am constantly on the road;
and when can snatch an hour or so from
my multitudinous cares run up to Rox-
bury TO pay visit to my most unfortunate
sister.
Very good, indeed. Slyme; but he will
see her, and may become Interested in
her."
aye" exclaimed Slyme, with per-
| plexed look, there's the rub"
You had thought Of that?"
Il have thought Of little else of late.
well, we must endeavor to concert
some plan to head him off-to turn him
from his purpose-if he. develops such q
Unfortunately, I shall not be here to
aid you in carrying out plan, even If we
can mature one.
But there must be some way out OF
the difficulty. Do think, my good Slyme,
and come to me here Tomorrow"
Il will do my best, as ever, to serve
| you, and with low bow he withdrew,
softly closing the door behind him.
| For some time Cora remained seated
as he had left her, but her head was bent
forward, her hands were tightly clasped
in her lap, and her whole attitude de-
noted deep and earnest meditation.
i Presently the heavy portiere was drawn
aside, and Eugene Cleveland entered.
In an instant the cloud fed from hel
brow, and radiant smile appeared upor
her face.
| He hastily crossed the room, knelt by
the divan, raised her shapely head, and
imprinted burning kiss upon her lips.
1At last you have comel" she murmured
returning the kiss and clasping hel
beautiful arms about his neck.
i Again the curtain in the doorway was
drawn aside,. and the eager eyes Of th'
private secretary were fixed upon the pair
and there was malignant, mortal hatret
in the glance.
CHAPTER xvL
Il SHAPING DESTINY.
Il Oscar Slvme. the private secretary, hat
told Cora Elliston no more than the ex
act and dreadful truth.
| Amy Brownell, the wife of the ciyi
engineer, was dead, and her husband wa
o wanderer
Warren Leland was indeed changed
6,,h :. - xx,l, haAko.
The Bh0ck had been sudden and ter
rible one for him, and he had not re
covered from it.
He had not again visited the attractive
homs at Bedford Park, thinking, for the
lady's sake, he would not do so until hi
was sure the master of the house haa re
turned.
| II was three weeks after Brownells hur
fied and unfortunate departure; Lelan,
had had another might of il" with Char
ley Raymond and friends Of that ilk
and awoke with Q splitting headache AM
aremorseful heart, whom his valet noise
lessly entered the room with severa
notes and letters on o salver.
aSet it down here, and draw back tn
curtain, ordered the master.
i The valet obeyed, placing the salyer o.
stand by the side Of the bed.
\, One note instantly attracted Leland
attention.
The handwriting he we'll knew. and til
envelope was bordered with black.
!. He snatched itup,s and opened it wit
trembling hands. And this IL what b
read:
my wife is dead. I am in no fl. con
dition tOssee y0u now. I have dispose
of everything and am going away-n
, matter where.
You will hear from me later.
HOBART BRoWNELL.
-Grsnt Godi" exclaimed Leland, lettin
the note fall from his hands, and turn
ing CHASTITY pale.
And it is but just to say that it was th
knowledge Of her death, and that alone
that affected him; he did not even thin
Of the seeming threat in the note.
Great God! Deadl Can il be pcssi
ble9"
) The valet turned, and regarded hiI
with look of astonishment.
4Get outl" he cried. -But say! brin
me some brandy and bottleof soda.
III The valet disappeared.
Then, in spite of his aching heai
he gave himself up to serious reflection
Il wish I knew moro about IL, he mui
| tered. at last.
ii And later in the day he set himself th
) task Of finding out.sOmething.
His efforts were rewarded with som
!. degree of success. He found the dea
woman's mother, and was received grt
! ciously by her.
Her daughter. she said, had not bee
herself since bis visit and her husband