Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-03-27

undertaker's and thitller he bent his
steps. On looking at the cuffs of the
dead man flor his clothes had not yet
been reGoved) he found them supplied
Hisn oxidized silver buttons.
"My diamond button did not belong
to Templeton," he said. my first con-
clusion is correct. will go to my office
and see the coroner at twelve"
As he left the undertaker's he met
Messing.
"Ah, you are Free" cried he.
Eyes, just free. They have verified
my story. and finding it confirmed in
every particular have let me go. So I'm
off for breakfast
They parted, Holbrook going straight
way to his office.
There for a time he became so en-
crossed in business that the murder and
the diamond button were driven from
his mind.
Upon what small threads do matters
of human interests hang?
The young lawyer had for some time
anticipated that a contingency would
arise calling him from the city to a dis
L1It DOllL lUI dk ttCtot tnlct "tthS, III llle
interest Of a client.
His mail that morning informed him
that the contingency had arisen. His
FIRST impulse was Immediately to pre-
pare for his departure. His second
thought was, if he went the coroner
would not have him for a witness, and
as O matter Of public duty he ought to
remain.
Then he thought that while the client
was a valuable one, nevertheless the
duties to be performed were of the SIM
plest Characteristic experimenting of
the signing of papers and contracts al
ready drawn-so he called in a neigh
boring young lawyer to whom he often
rendered business, and who consented
TO go.
Had Holbrook gone this story would
never have been written.
During the morning Holbrook received
Q note from q lady in whose good graces
he wished to stand high. asking him to
call upon her.
The lady was young and handsome,
and rumor said rich. She lived with her
sf,ncle, her parents being dead.
Holbrook was greatly delighted with
the summons. He had been attentive,
but as yet had received little encourage
ment from the young lady.
Her manner toward him, while our
teous. was mot different from that dis
played toward a dozen or more of the
young gentlemen with whom he was in
rivalry.
Her name was Flora Ashgrove, and
she was spoken of In the clubs as ''The.
handsome Flora"
Rumor did not credit any man with
having the favor Of the fair lady. Her
acquaintance of her own sex said she
angIed for suitors and failed despite her
beauty. Twenty men knew she had re-
fused the offer OF QUE man at least.
She did not want for q gallant in the
park nor an escort to the opera; she was
sure 81 an invitation to the hunt and a
seat upon the most distinguished coach
Ia the parade; at each regatta her name
was seen among the guests Of the most
sought after yacht, while ct the charity
fairs her boofh turned In twice the mon
ey any oIler did
Thess were hard mus for her dear fe-
male friends to crack. but they hammer
ed at them p~ersistently; consequently
she was q great social success.
Hcibrook was q self contained young
man, whose good opinion OF himself WA
fully equaled By his coed looks, andupon
that score he was wen content. While
mot Of q very ardent nature, still he adj
mitted to himself that IL the divine Flora
would but give him some signsthat she
found more pleasure In his attentions
than IN those Of otherH he could quite
readily fall In love with her; but until
she did be proposed to keep himself well
In hand and not make a fool Of himself,
as some others he could name had done.
The note lying before him was the first
he had received from her. and, indeed,
the first intimation he had had indicating
that she cared whether he came or went.
He was therefore filed with pleasur-
able emotion and no little wonder.
The note had driven from his mind all
recollection Of the button and his visit to
the coroner, and, disposing Of his bust.
ness as speedily as possible, he took him.
self to her uncle residence-a handsome
dwelling In Fifty-sixth street. not far
from Fifth venue
When ushered into the richly furnished
parlors he was made aware that it was
the summer season. The furniture was
covered, and so were the ornaments,
statuary and most Of tho pictures.
Then he remembered he had wondered
how it was that Miss Ashgrove was In
the city at that time Of the year.
But one picture was exposed, and from
that the cover had been thrown bach
ove the easel upon which it rested. Thi.
was the portrait Of the lady herself.
He fell to a study Of It, waiting thu
coming OF the lady who had summoned
him to her presence.
He thought il would be a fine thing t.
have so handsome a head at his table
Other lovers would probably have giver
rein to other thoughts, but Holbrook wa.
one Of those young men who get on IL
the world. less given o sentimental con
nature.
While thus engaged the original of tn,
picture entered the room through a doc
which brought her to the back of he
visitor.
She was entitled to the name Of 18th,
handsome Flora" Tall, Of superb pro
portions, her exquisite form was full
though not plump; her hair was fake,
and shining in waves over her perfectly
proportioned head, standing erect upol
. white column OF a neck; her skin wa
white 40 alahaster. and her cheeks has
the delicate ttage OF a peach; her lin
were twin cherries, full to the point q
se~nsuaiity; her features faultless in thei
classic regularity.
Shs stopped for a moment, placing
shapeiy white hand upon the back Of
chair steadyfrg herseif. Her footfal
bid been 90 light upon The soft carpe
taats5e IN not attrsctei The attsnticI