Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

against one you love so well and the en-
tertaining of which must have given
you so much torture; burt such statement
would not be the whole truth, for have
another purpose as well, not an entirely
unselfish one"
"And that purpose is?'
"Let me explain. The fact Of Mr..
Fountains innocence came out inciden-
tally in the pursuit of certain inquiries
and the proposed initiation of some ac-
tions touching the murder of Mr.. Tenn
pleton, and perhaps it may be said also
in an effort. feeble'as yet, to connect the
late Mr.. Tempeton with the late Mr..
Plerson. | shall be very frank-brutally
SO, fear, Miss Ashgrove The fact that
you suspected Mr.. Fountain of the muir
der of Mr.. Teinpleton-that Mr. Fountain
had remarked, with reference to an en-
terprlse ne was engaged upon, that Provi-
dence had removed Mr.. Templeton from
his path, and the final fact that that en-
terprise was made known to me by MIR.
Fountains call upon me, to be an effort
to obtain the late Mr.. Persons property,
shows that in some way, unknown to
me, Mr.. Templeton was connected with
Mr.. Pierson, and the interests Of Mr.
Fountain and Mr.. Templeton were an
tagonistic. l have the audacity to ask
you in what way Mr.. Fountain touched
Mr.. Pierson, and how it was that Mr..
Iempleton's interests were antagonistic
to those of Mr.. Fountain? In that point
lay your reason for accusing in your
mind Mr., Fountain Of the deed"
MAY ask to what use you would put
the information were l to give it to you
always presuminS had such informa-
tom
II believe | had the honor of inform
ing you that l am the legal adviser of
Mrs. and Miss Tcmpleton. The interests
Of the brother are now the interests Of
the mother and sister"
Flora showed clearly that the knowl-
edge of the existence Of a mother and
sister of TempletOn was not pleasant to
her, and She remained in profound
thought for a moment or two.
Holbrook waited patiently for her to
speak. Finally she said:
Mr.. Holor3pk, l shall not conceal
from you that | know the relationship
you ask to be informed of. In the brief
time I've had to consider have madeup
NV mind that cannot sneak Of it. for
cannot explain it without giving Won
secrets have no right to give to a third
person without the consent of Mr. Fo,n.
tain-they are his-they belong to him
and concern him only. You have reas-
oned most accurately. Therein Law the
reason of nv unjust suspicion Of MIR.
Fountain: the motive was so strong, and
he himself felt the bitterness and disap-
pointmcnt Of finding lIr. Templeton in
| his way so much, that feared in mo-
mont of passion he had been led into
frichtful crime. I must, however, de
! cline to answer your question:
Holbrook bowed courteously and re-
marked;
"Of course, that sends me to Mr.,
Fountain"
IF Mr.. Fountain determines to in
form you, l, of course, can offer no OBJ
| lection"
"Perhaps you may lnd yourself able
/ to answer another question:
Flora seemed 10 give him consent by
an inquirlnG expression o. face.
tinued. "that on the occasion Of our pre-
vious interview in this house displayed
diamond button | had found that
morning at the place OF murder
"Perfectlv WELL"
"You seemed to recognize it then
Nav | ask TO whom YOU thought it be-
lonred:"
80" said the lady lauchinglv. but
partly vexed as well. ",our display of