The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-08-28
PERLEYS PRETTY SISTER.

end of September-one of those days
when earth and sky are grey and
dreary. and the rain drops pattering
against the window sounded like
human sobs. The clock that hung
against The wall pointed to the hour Of
in the afternoon, and / was sitting in
our little inner office, looking out at
the expanse of dull, grey wall that
formed my only prospect from the not
over clean window, and thinking. /
had read every square inch of type in
the newspapers.
/ was musing about Kitty Elton and
wondering how long it would be be-
fore / should be able to marry her.
Dear little Kittie! she was as sweet
and as patient as it was in the nature
of a woman 20 be; but / knew it was
hard life for her in that over-crowd-
ed miiliner's work-room. and longed
to set her free from the monotonous
captivity. She was pretty. blue-eyed
girl of so, with dimple in her chin.
and the sweetest roses OH her cheek.
/ was no poet, yet think | understood
and appreciated all her womanly beau
ty as fully as if my hearts thoughts
could shape themselves into verse.
And it was Of them | was thinking
when the door opened and Mr.. Clenner
came in.
Mr.. Clenner was our "chief''-a
dark, silent. little man. with square
stern mouth and clouded grey eyes,
which appeared almost expressionless
when they were turned full upon you.
and vet which seemed to see every
thing at glance. He sat down be-
side me.
Meredith" he said in a quiet SUBJ
dued tone that was natural to him.
didn't you say that you were tired of
doing nothing?"
Yes, SIR"
We'll, l have something for you to
do"
What is it, sir?"
Something that will bring you both
credit and friends, if you manage it
skillfully. l had intended to go my
self but circumstances happened un-
towardly. and l shall send you in
stead.n
Bending his head toward me and
speaking scarcely above a whisper, he
told me the special business on which
| was to be sent.
There had been, it seems, series
of very skillful foreeries lately COM
mitted, with Doldness and audacity that
fairly seemed to set the authorities at
defiance. For some time he had been
in doubt as to the exact perpetrator of
the crime; but after much quiet in
vestigation and casting hither and
thither, he had detected the hidden
spring-one Perley Mattison. who had
skillfullv eluded all pursuit. and was
now somewhere in hiding in the north
of England. His whereabouts had
been ascertained as nearly as possible
and it was for me to go quietly up and
apprehend him before he should be-
come aware of our knowledge of all
his movements.
sat and listened to all the various
details of our plan. as they were
sketohed out by Mr.. Clenner The re-
ward that had been privately offered
was high; my heart leaped as | reflect
ed how much nearer it would bring
me to Kitty Elton. nor did the enter
prise seem particular difficult to ac-
complish.
DO you think YOU can do it?" Mr..
Clenner asked, after the whole thing
had been laid out before me.
Yes. sir. When shall startP'
Now, within half an hour"
so soou?n
Yes; why pot?"
| could think of no sufficient reason,
sxcept one, which | did not care to
communicate to my superior - the
longing to see Kitty once more before
/ started.
just as you decide. Mr.. Clenner of
course" said rising IF 1 take the
night express shall be there early in
the morning."
Yes, and that is altogether the best
plan. He will not remain long in any
one place just at present, depend up
on it, and what you have to do must
be done at once"
All through that long night journey
| mused upon the task that lay before
ME. The house to which l was direct
ed was quite in the country. about half
mile beyond the village of Berwood,
and was the residence of Mrs. Matti-
son, the mother of the audacious
forger. If help was needed was full
ly authorized to call upon the con-
stabulary authorities at K; but l
expected to need no assistance.
The rosy dawn was Just ushering the
eastern sky when / alighted. stiff,
weary and jaded. from the train.
Can you direct me to Mrs. Matti-
sons place?" | asked of the sleepy
statiou-master.
''Mattison-Mrs. Mattison; / don't
know her, but l can tell you where she
lives. just you follow the main street
of the village TO wood. with foot
path running through it. Get over the
stile, follow the footpath. and in lit
lie while you'll see a yellow house-the
last place i'll the world where you'd
expect to see dwelling. There's
where Mrs. Mattison lives
/ thank od my in orI s,t o,.<