Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-22


determined to find out at once. The woman
had entered the hotel, and consequently her
name would be found on the guests y
book. The intention was no sooner formed
than trotted over to the hotel and consult
ed the register of names. The result? The
name Joan" was only conspicuous bv its
absence. There was "Ione," Amelia, Ber-
tha, Frances and so on, but not an approach
to Joan. The clerk could give me no in
compelled to rest in ignorance. While I
was leaning on the desk speaking to the
clerk the pretty black haired woman OF the
veranda came tripping downstairs dressed
as for walk. But abe did not leave the
hotel; she tripped to the desk, received a
couple of letters and then tripped upstairs
again.
"W ho is that pretty woman?" asked the
clerk, after he had given his black mus
tache its most fascinating curve.
"Miss lone Grande," he answered, gazing
after the disappearing sylph.
"Any of her folks here?"
"No. she is a sort of confidential compan-
ion and friend of Mrs. Glaye. Waits on the
elder lady, who is an invalid"
"Come here with her?"
"No; succeeded q woman who was ss ugly
as she is pretty"
"a quiet, lady-like creature"
"a patient, amiable angel" said the
young clerk enthusiastically.
every attentive to her mistress?"
"Wearing her life out by humoring the
whims of an eccentric. Up with the old lady
every night in the week or very near"
"The mistress seems to be very quiet"
"You should have lived here for the last
four weeksr" said the clerk dryly. "Hys-
terics and q million contradictory orders q
day. But she pays we'll for it and it is none
of my business" had burning desire to
become more closely acquainted with the
fascinating lone Grande, and SO 1 slipped
up the stairs and tapped on the door of Mrs.
Glaye's sitting room. As expected. it was
opened by the charming lone.
81 would like to see Mrs. Glave."
Impossible just now." she said softly,
gliding into the hall and closing the door
after her. "She has been very nervous;
awake all night. and she is peacefully sleep
ing now. If you would come to the hotel
parlor and deliver the message to me, will
faithfully report it to Mrs. Glave. Or if this
is i'm mpossible, you might call in a couple of
hours, when she will probably be awake"
It was a soft, sweet voice, soft, sweet
manner, and if purity and innocence we're
ever written on the face Of woman, they
were written in that of Miss lone Grande.
eff il is no trouble will follow you to
the parlor."
She led the way to a huge room, richly
furnished, and stood with one white hand on
the table gazing inquisitively at me. Save
ourselves, the room was empty.
"You have heard OF the murder that was
committed here?" asked, keeping pro-
tessional eye and ear widely open.
"I have heard OF it. sir, and the horror of
it has haunted me ever since. 1t was hor-
rible."
"You will then be rejoiced to hear that
am Detective Felix Fox, sent down hereIsto
discover the guilty parties"
The little eyebrows were still inquisitively
raised. as if the little head was puzzling it.
self to discover what bearing the announce
ment had on ner.
.'You know, Miss Grande, that in working
ont a case like this detective is frequently
compelled to ask questions that at surface
seem very impertinent.
II did not know it, she said, with fas-
cinating little smile, "and thank you for
telling me. Am 1 to be asked impertinent
questions?"
II came to see Mrs Glaye; but you could
help me considerably with little infor-
nation"
"What am I to tell? I fear you will find
me a very useless witness"
Let me Judge. You know that Mrs..
Glaye went out on the night of the murder,
aud that it was q very unusual thing for her
to do. 1 understand that you offered to ac-
company her and she refused?"
Gas she had the right to do"
"You saw her when she returned?"
Necessarily"
"She was excited?"
Eyes"
"Panting as one out of breath from long
walk or struggle"
"Hysterical is the word that will save me
from a false Interpretation of kind lady's
condition.
"Yet you noticed and were surprised at
the condition."
81 noticed it, but was not surprised" she
answered quietly. 81 was not interested In
it further than its effect on Mrs. Glaye's
health"
"You called the doctor?"
eyes; but she had regained her calmness
before be came. I never saw her SO calm
since 1 first knew her,"
"You have been with her long?"
ga little over three weeks. By your per-
sonal questions begin to fear that you sus-
pect me-" she said, with what can only
call the whisper of light laugh. "It is not
hatterlng."
"And it is not true Professionally am
only interested in Mrs. Glaye."
She had the most attractive smile ever
saw, and rewarded my implied compliment
BY fnging a coquettish one at me.
"My mind is relievedr"
"Then we will continue the inquisition.
You are acquainted with Mr.. Durand?''
HE does not even know my name"
"Yet YOU must have seen him."
''Only transently as tine visitor of Mrs.
Glaye. At such times I am not in her
ROOM"
"He visited her frequently?"
"She was great temptation to reckless
young man without money" This with icy
disdain. SIT was rumored that he was in
love with the daughter. Mrs. Glaye never
attempted to conceal that it was she with
whom he was in love-"
"He intended to marry her?"
"He never spoke to me; can only say
that she intended to marry him."
ITO be continued next Sunday.]