The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1890-10-31

stile, follow the footpath, and in a lit
tie while you'll see a yellow house-the
last place in the world where you'd
expect to see a dwelling. There's
where Mrs. Mattison lives"
/ thanked my informant and set out
at a brisk walk. carrying my travelling
bag in my hand. 1t was half an hour
ere / diverged from the main road, or
rather lane. The stiIe at the end of
the footpath through the wood was
quickly reached, and the little yellow
house-a cream-colored cottage literal
ly overgrown with honeysuckles =
presently rewarded my search. and. as
/ knocked at the door. a clock
where struck the hour of Z.
A decent-looking elderly woman,
in widows weeds, came to the door.
is Mr.. Madison in-Mr. Perley
Mattison?"
No" she answered quickly, with,
as | imagined, rather a confused look.
| did moi believe her, and asked
quietly, When do you expect him
home?"
Not at present."
Apparently she expected me to go
away, but, instead, l slipped into the
passage.
Mother" asked a soft voice at the
head of the stairs, ''who is it?'
And then, for the first time, / be-
anIe aware that some one had been
watching and listening to Il %colloquy
from the head of the stairs-a young
girl. dressed like the mother. in deep
black, with very brilliant eyes and a
profusion of jet black curls.
Some one to see your brother"
She came halfway down the stairs,
pushed back her curls with one hand
and looked at me with her wonderful
eyes. Even then her beauty struck me
rs I stood gazing at her.
''Perley is not at home" she said,
hurriedly. 'lIe has gone away. We
do not know when he will return"
Evidently this mother and daughter
were in the secret of Mattison's viii
liany and doing their best to screen
him from its consequence. My heart
bled for both of them; but it was no
time to indulge in sentimental pity.
Speaking as briefly as l could. l told
them it was my duty to compel them
to remain were they were while 7
searched the house.
Mrs. Mattison sat down pale and
trembling. Her daughter colored
high.
Mother" she said, "why do you
stand by and listen to such ISLANDERS?
1t is false? Let this man search the
house if he will; my brother is as in
nocent rs I ami"
No opposition was offered to my
search. 1t was entirely fruitless, how
ever; there was no where n trace of
the missing bird. Nevertheless, 1 re-
solved to remain there quietly, for a
day or two, to see what a little waiting
might bring forth.
The same afternoon Clara Madison
came in as 1 sat by the window, keep
ing Il silent watch on all round.
Mr., Meredith" she said, softly,
mother thinks l have been rude to
you. She says it was not your fault,
personally. that you we're sent here on
such Il mistaken errand--and, perhaps,
she is right. l am sorry if l have hurt
your feelings"
The pretty, penitent way in which she
spoke quite won my heart. and a few
questions on my part seemed to unlock
the hidden recesses of her confidence.
She talked at first shyly but after
ward with more assurance. of herself,
her absent brother and her mother,
giving me 4 thousand little family de-
tails which | almost dreaded to hear.
This twilight talk was one of the
pleasantest episodes of my by no
means universally pleasant life, and I
was not Il little annoyed when it was
broken in upon by the arrival of the
constables from k, who were to
watch through the night.
At the sound of their footsteps,
Clara rose up. and sat down again,
confused and frightened.
ooh, Mr.. Meredith those men,"
BE easy, Miss Mattison," I said
you shall in no way be annoyed by
them. Your privacy shall not be
broken in upon, believe me-"
Il know l am silly" faltered Clara,
s'but oh, it seems so dreadful"
My orders to the men were simple
and succinct. l stationed them as
seemed best to me, and then returned
to spend the evening with Miss Matti-
son. And when 1 was at length left
alone | could hot help thinking-God
mellow much more winning
and graceful she was than poor Kitty
At last answer came to my report
TO Mr.. Clenner. 1t vas short and to
the purpose"
1 read the missive with a pang.
Clara Mattison's cheek deepened in
color as 1 announced my departure to
her.
You have been far kinder than We
dared to hope. Mr.. Meredith" she
said. ae 1 held her hand in mine.
''You will think of me sometimes,
Clarap"
The reader will easily perceive from
this how our intimacy had progressed.
She smiled, hung her head. and, Tux
ing a pair of scissors from the table,
severed one bright, black curl from
the abundant tresses that hung over
her forehead.
Keep this, Mr.. Meredith, in mem
DRY of me-"
Was 1 foolish to press the jetty ring
let to my lips ere | laid it closely
:, r,ipSt my heortp Clara evidently