Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-24
CHAPTER TX.
AN UNSEEN WITNESS.

the morning after the frightful accident,
as that of her only and well beloved child.
Her grief was unbounded; yet, ill and
wholly unprepared though she was. super
human strength seemed given her to bear
up under the terrible affiiction.
The hour for the funeral arrived, and,
as was to be expected under the strange,
and even dreadful, as we'll as romantic
circumstances, the little cottage and
grounds about it. were filled with sympa-
thizing or curious friends and neighbors.
The lonely widow, who now deemed
herself childless, and the unhappy hus-
band, with few intimate friends, among
whom were Raymond Fielding, his sister
Meta, Mr.. Henley, and old William Raw
ley, and his wife, Hannah, occupied a
little room by themselves during the serv-
ices.
In the crowded parlor. where the closed
coffin occupied place in front of the
mantel, Oscar Slyme had taken up his
post of observation.
He had selected the corner nearest the
head of the casket, from whence, without
running much. risk of being observed
himself, he could see all that passed in the
room, as we'll as note through window
at his elbow all who entered or passed out
The assiduous secretary remained until
the services were over, and the funeral
cortege had started for the picturesque
cemetery on the hillside; then, feeling
confident he had learned all his mistress
would care to know. he took an early
train for New York.
"Ah!" murmured Cora, when he had
made his report, lit is just as I expected;
that Fielding girl was we'll enough to be
at the funeral, even if she was too i'll to
be at the wedding. I'm inclined to believe
that shall find it necessary to remove
her also from my path.
Oscar Slyme was watching her face in
tently, and while he did not catch her
words, fully understood. from her looks
and tone, that something displeased her
greatly.
L have told you something that you
would rather not have heard2" he said,
inquiringly.
She looked up hastily, and regarded him
attentively for moment.
Listen, my friend" she at length said.
1t does not please me that this working
girl-this Meta Fielding, as you say she
is called, should be anything more to my
husbands nephew than she is at this mo-
ment; and cannot you see that already
she and her precious brother are schem-
ing for the place made vacant as they
suppose. by the death Of Mildred Les
ter2"
"Ah! 1t does look like it" assented
the private secretary.
More than that, Cora went on, hasti-
ly; unless something is done, and done
speedily, they will succeed; for being
more lonely than ever now. and full of
grief, as undoubtedly he is, naturally he
will turn to them for comfort and SYM
pathy; and loving him, as am sure she
does, it is very easy to see how it will oil
end; and it doesn't please me, Mr.. Slyme
Il repe .t-it doesn't please me at ALL"
The secretary looked at her curiously.
You must love or hate this man very
much, he said, with more than trace Of
suspicion in his tone.
Cora raised her beautiful eyes, and
threw upon him quick, searching
glance.
Have I not already told yau," she
said, sharply, that he has mort lily Of
Tended me-that I will never forgive him
never, if can prevent it, al ow him q
single moments happiness on this earth?"
and her looks and tone convinced the
jealous secretary of her sincerity.
What would you have me do?" he asked,
humbly enough.
She threw herself back into the chair
from which she had risen, and resting
her head upon her hand, said, after q
moments hesitation:
Il don't know yet; let me think"
Then, as if speaking TO herself:
"We mustn't have the brother turned
out of the bank; that was bad move in
Eugene's case. No; whatever is done now
my hand must in no wise appear. Be-
sides, it would do him no good to throw
him out of his situation; the publisher
would give him better, as readily as he
did the other.
mo, no; we must manage in some other
way; and suspicion-well, suspicion must
be directed toward some other source.
And there's another thing Slyme, are
you Iistening?"
Yes, Mrs. Elliston."
well, you must find out if THAT is,
il we are in any way suspected of the plot
that ended in the young brides supposed
death; and il SO, you must find some way
to free us from the suspicion. / don't
choose to have it rest on me, at all
events"
Il don't think, ma'am. il can be done,
said the secretary, slowly. And now
with regard to the other matter; believe
have plan that will work, and which
I am sure will in no wise compromise
you"
Then let me hear it, by all means.
The secretary, in difident and defer
ential manner, drew his chair little
nearer, and began to speak in q low and
rapid tone.
!! As he continued the lady's face flushed,
and her eyes sparkled with excitement
and satisfaction.
Yes, yes, Slyme," she was saying;
that will do most admirably. You are
! indeed real treasure, and If you carry
this through as successfully as you did
the other your reward"
! And here she was interrupted by knock
ION the library door,,
TAX Comel" she called, impatiently, and q
footm..n entered with card on silver
salver. ss
Cora glanced carelessly at the card,
and then, as every vestige OF color left
her face, gasped out rather than spoke
the name Of Eugene Cleveland
-Clsvelandl' echoed Slyma 10 tone
Of CONSERVATION. What can he want
\ here at this time? He must have come
| directly from the depot. s
L Hox.t& .rt..A ~ wo.>t> r -