Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1890-10-02
.of course" replied. ..why do you

ask"
because have brought you visi-
tor" he said, as he entered with his arm
around beautiful young girl, whom he
introduced as his sister Lillian
| told her she was very kind to visit
an invalid, and wondered what they
would think if they knew was hunting
| down a murderer of sixteen years ago.
Many happy days passed in spite of ill
ness and vendettas. They insisted upon
keeping me for ball in honor Of Lilian's
twentieth birthday. found resistance
useless, SO yielded with as good grace as
possible, although knew such gayeties
were not for me, and my mothers death
was too recent not to destroy any desire
for such pleasures
However I staid, and on the evening
of the ball arrayed myself in my dress
suit and descended to the ballroom,
which was beautifully decorated with
tropical plants and lovely ferns. Lillian
was receiving her guests by her mothers
side. She was dressed in a gown of sill
very fabric, which made her look more
than ever like the beautiful fairy she
was. l easily mingled unnoticed in the
crowd.
AS l gazed on that brilliant scene
wondered what the dear mother was
thinking as she locked down from her
home on high l thought of the little
grave in the far away country, of the
vendetta left me as legacy. Ray broke
in upon my meditations, and finding it
impossible to persuade me to dance said:
''Well, do take Miss Van Dyke into sup
per and relieve me-"
I complied, and upon entering the
supper room removed one glove, as my
hand was warm. Upon doing so /
glanced at the opal ring, and to my hor-
ror noticed that it had become blood
red. What could it mean? | glanced
around the room and noticed only doz-
en- people, but these brilliant society
people of Washington. What had they
to do with my opal turning red? must
be mistaken. No; it was deep blood
red. noticed Rays uncle among the
crowd-a tall, dark man, conversing
with alady; and mechanically watched
him leave the room, then glanced at my
ring and, great heavens! my blood seem
ed turning to ice, for the ring had re-
sumed its original color. / escorted
Miss Van Dyke back to the ballroom
and delivered her to partner. Then l
sought an introduction to Rays uncle.
"Mr. Radcliff," !" he exclaimed, and saw
him start, s'where was your home, if |
may ask" ''In the north Of Ireland |
replied, ''and my father was Robert
Radcliff. " noticed my ring had again
become red, which fact dispelled all
doubt from my mind. Notwithstanding
how ridiculous it seemed, continued,
'Mr. Darlington, would like a few
words with you privately"
''Not tonight" he stammered, s'but
tomorrow at 10 a. M" every well,D l
replied, and then sought the smoking
room to be able to think. Lilian's uncle.
She to whom my heart had gone out was
the niece of the murderer of my father,
for had faith that had found the man.
/ retired that night to get little or no
sleep, to wonder what should say and
do to Howard Darlington, and what mo-
tive he could have had for such deed.
The next morning called at his resi-
dence promptly at 10 o'clock, and was
told that the gentleman was not yet up,
had not answered when he was called,
and must be very tired. A horrible sus-
picion came over me, and told the man
to come with me, for we must break in
the door.
We easily did SO, and there, with his
head on his arm, leaning on his desk,
was Darlington. Then to our horror we
saw stream of blood on the floor and
revolver near it. We went to him and
found him dead. The bullet had done
its deadly work. On the desk lay an en-
velope addressed to Carl R. Radcliff. l
opened it and read:
"Mr Radcliff-You have tracked me
at last. How / cannot imagine, for
never supposed there was single clew.
Now know my time has come. 1 am
tired of being bounded by remorse, and
should have made way with myself be-
fore long anyway. killed your father
nearly seventeen years ago in Ireland. l
had fallen passionately in love with your
mother long before she knew of your fa-
ther. She rejected me with scorn be-
cause drank. When she married Rad
cliff | was wild with jealousy. Still
never should have done him harm if it
hadn't been for meeting him that dark
night all alone. was mad with drink,
and the deed was done before realized
the crime. have never since touched a
drop of liquor. No one suspected Mr..
Darlington, the tourist, of such deed,
and after some time came here to my
friends. Now you know all-H. c."
| never told my friends of this letter
or of the crime. They thought it tenn
porary insanity. now felt free to offer
myself to Lillian. and to my joy and as
tonishment was accepted. Eighteen
months from the time Of her uncle's
death Lillian became my wife. I have
always worn the opal ring, which has
never changed its color since it showed
me my fathers murderer. M. A. in
Boston Globe.