Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-10-30
PERLErS PRETTY SISTER.

1t was dull. rainy day towards the
end of September-one Of those days
when earth and sky are grey and
dreary and the rain drops pattering
against the window sounded like
human sobs. The clock that hung
against the wall pointed to the hour OF
in the afternoon, and was sitting in
our little inner Office, looking out al
the eXpanse of dull. grey wall tina,
formed my only prospect from the uol
over clean window, and thinking.
had read every square inch of type in
the newspapers.
was musing about Kitty Elton aud
wondering how long it would be be-
fore should be able to marry her.
Dear little Kittic! she was ~ sweet
and rs patient rs it was in the nature
of a woman to be; but | knew it was
a hard life for her in that over-crowd-
ed milliner's work-roOnI. aud | lOngcd
TO set her free from the monOtououS
captivity. She was pretty, bIue-cyed
girl of 30, with Il dimple in her chin,
and the sweetest roses on her cheek.
! was no poet, yet think understood
and appreciated all her wOmanly beau
ty as fully as II my hearts thoughts
could shape themselves into verse.
And it was OF them | WAS thinking
when the door opened and Mr.. Clcnhcr
came in.
Mr.. Clenncr was our "chief'-a
dark, silent, little man, with square
stern mouth and clouded grey eyes,
which appeared almost expressionless
when they were turned full upon you,
and yet which seemed to see every
thing at glance. He sat down be-
side me.
Meredith" he said in a quiet sub
dued tone that was natural to him.
didn't you say that You were tired of
doing nothing?"
Yes, SIR
We'll, I have something for YOU to
do"
What is it, sir?'
Something that will bring You both
credit and friends, if you manage it
skillfully. | had intended to go my
self but circumstances happened un-
towardly, and | shall send you ill.,
stead"
Bending his head toward me and
speaking scarcely above a whisper, ho
told me the special business on which
! was TO be sent.
There had been, it seems, series
OF very skillful forgcrcS lately CON-
mitted, with Doldness and audacity that
fairly seemed to set the authorities at
defiance. Tor some time he had been
in doubt as to the exact perpetrator OF
the crime; but after much quiet in
vestigation and casting hither and
thithcr, he had detected the hidden
spring-one Pcrley Msttison, who had
skilfully eluded all pursuit, and was
now somewhere IN hiding in the north
of England. His whereabouts had
been asccrtaincd as nearly as possible
and it was for me to 20 quietly up and
apprehend him before he should he,
come aware Of our knowledge of al
his movements.
sat and listened to ali the various
details of our plan. rs they wcr,
Sketchcd out BY Mr.. ClennPr. The re.
ward that had been privately offered
was high; my heart ieaped as | reflect
ed how much nearer II would bring
me TO Kitty Elton, nor did the enter
prise seem particular difficult to ac'
complish
! DO YOU think you can do it?" Mr.
Clenner asked, after the whole thin,
had been laid out before me.
Yes, sir. When shall start?'
Now, within half an hour
80 sOon?'
Yes; why not?'
/ | could think of no sufficient reason
except one, which / did not care tc
! communicate to my superior - thu
| longing to see Kitty once more befor,
] started.
Just as you decide, Mr.. Clenuer, o
course" | said rising. If | take tn,
night express | shall be there early il
! the morning"
Yes, and that is altogether the hes,
| plan. He will not remain long in any
one place just at present, depend up
! on it, and what you have to do mus
be done at once"
All through that long night journey
| unused upon the task that lay before
me. The house to which | was direct
| Ell was quite in the country, about hal
n mile beyond the village of Berwood
and was the residence OF Mrs. Matti
son. the mother of the audaciou
forger. Ii help was needed was full
ly authorized to call upon the con
stabulary authorities at K; but
! expected to need no assistance.
The rosy dawn was just ushering tn,
Al = al Ngh / ali
weary and jaded. from the train.
Can YOU direct me to Mrs. Matti
sons place. ! asked of the sleep,
station-master.
"Mattison-Mrs. Madison; | don
know her, but | can tell yon where sh,
lives. Just YOU follow the main stree
of the village to a wood, with foot
patti running through it. Get over tn,
stile, follow the foOtpath, and in lit
tie while you'll see yellow house-th,
last place in the world where you''
expect to see dwelling. There
where Mrs. Mattison lives"
thanked my informant aud set on
at brisk walk, carryingm travelling
bag in my hand. 1t was half an hou
ere | diyerged from the main road, o
rather lane. The stile at the end o
the footpath through the wood wa
quickly reached. and the little yellow
house, cream-colored cottage literal
ly overgrown with honeysuckles -
presently rewarded my search, and, a
knocked at the door. clock some
where struck the hour of 7.
a decent-looking elderly woman
In widows weeds, came to the door.
is Mr., Madison in-Mr, Perle
Mattson?'
No" she answered quickly, with
rs imagined. rather confused lool
did not believe her, and aske
quietly. When do you expect hin
homer
Not at present"
Apparently she expected me to g
away, but, instead, | slipped into tn
passage.
Mother" asked soft voice at tn
head of the stairs "who is it?"
And then, for the first time. ! b,