The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1890-10-16
CLINTON N. c. THURSDAY OCTOBER 1e 1890

rrDnIIss-a wale was oase ga liius~ ss1s
triaas, the presence or absence Of which |
was bu. of slight significance TO the wei
fare Of the woman.
One morning Mr.. Henshall called at
Mr.. Hartman's house, more with the OBJ
ject Of reporting for duty" as he styled
it in mental irony. than with any well
defined object in view.
Mr. and Miss Hartman were ont, he
was informed Mrs Smith, the chaperon,
was at present the only member of the
family now at home. She was in the
drawing room, ventured the domestic,
discreetly.
Hcnshall never knew afterward what
il was that prompted him to enter in
stead of leaving the conventional card
10 indicate his unsatisfied visit.
9a told the servant he would stay for
=. /, - md wait the arrival of the father
and daughter. Then leaving his hat and
cane in the hall he walked to the door
of thu drawing room, and with slight,
premonitory knock entered.
The room was unlighted save by a
full red shaded lamp that cast a pink
effulgence on objects in its immediate
neigh5orhood.
The young man saw seated on low
chair close to the lamp the apathetic
form of Mrs. Smith, the chaperon. She
had not heard his knock and remained
seated, her hands folded listlessly in
front of her, her head bent slightly for
ward, until the sound of his light foot
fall reached her ear. Then with start
she rose and placed her hand upon the
region of her heart.
"Gou alarmed me- Mr. Henshall," she
declared, with an attempt at smile
that was a signal failure. 81 did not
expect anybody, because Mr. Hartman
and Lena have gone out. Let me see,"
hesitatingly. Il think they went to
reception at Mrs. Van Auken's house on
the avenue. Did-you-wish"-
Nothing" interrupted the young man
with reassuring smile. II thought /
would come in for few minutes and
1851 myself"
The absence of Miss Hartman was by
no means regrettable. In fact Mr.. Hen
shall felt a distinct relief at the respite
from bald platitudes that her visit on
the avenue afforded him.
He looked at Mrs. Smiths face. She
had evidently been weeping. He had
undoubtedly interrupted painful medi-
tatiOn.
Well, he reflected, she ought to thank
him for that at any rate. That she was not
inclined to express any gratitude either
by words or by looks was very apparent
It WIS clear that she did not consider
herself bound to entertain Miss Hart
man $ guest.
liter few uninteresting remarks, ut
tered uninterestingly, she rose and an
nouLced her intention of retiring to her
room.
~ leave YOU" she said, provided
with a couple of readable books, and am
sure that you will find them capital en-
te1t llers. OF course you will wait to
see Lena and Mr. Hartman. l know it
would be a great disappointment to you
if you failed to meet them
She accompanied these with faint,
significant smile that was irritatingly
visible to Mr.. Henshall He colored
slightly, and bit the end of his mus
| tache to restrain the rather impatient
retort that rose to his lips,
Mrs. Smith moved noiselessly about.
| There was the same feline suggestions
| about her walk that he had noticed be-
| fore
Good night" she said indifferently.
AS she passed him something fell at
| his feet. He saw it there before him,
but made no effort to pick it up for a
few seconds. Then he stopped and raised
it. from the floor. 1t was an old fash
| ioned gold brooch, one Of those trinkets
that we have seen our grandmothers and
| great-aunts wear, and have admired in
the days of our childhood.
At the back of the brooch was por-
trait, beautifully colored, standing out
conspicuously from the dull gold frame
AS he looked at it Henry Henshall was
conscious of a mental shock such as he
| had rarely. received. The picture con
jured up a whole train of "reminiscences
that for the last few weeks he had hardly
ventured to disturb; for in the startling
eyes aud uncanny expression of the pho
tographed face he had no difficulty in
recognizing the man whom he had seer
in the Wagner palace car, and whom he
had mentally dubbed the heavy villain
of the episode.
In an instant he was on his feet; his
hand was upon the bell; his intention
was instantly to send a servant to Mrs
Smith, summoning her to his presence.
He was spared the trouble. The doo1
was noiselessly opened and the lady her
self entered the room.
"Idropped my brooch" she said apollo
getically. ''No, do not trouble she
added as he made movement. %
think | know where to find it"
The young mans heart was beating
violently. He wanted to tell her that he
had picked it up, but was unable to find
the words.
He held it up and tried to speak. In
an instant she had snatched it from his
hand.