The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-11-12


Following It closely arrived at her
door in time to hear her say that she
could see no one. but before she could
finish her excuses I stepped into her
private parlor, saying that ! was here on
business and seeing by the register that
she was here also and alone had come
to see II could be Of any service to her.
None whatever; thanks" she replied
very coldly. ''and you will fnd that II
you look again, Mr.. Cummings, that my
name Is not on the register. Then she
waited for me to leave the room.
l bit my lip with vexation that !
should have made 90 stupid blunder. ]
might have known that she would never
have signed her own name 10 the register.
had no intention Of being driven away,
however, and 50 continued the convsrsa-
ton by saying should like TO report to
her concerning the errand she had given
me to do that afternoon.
"Is 1t necessary she Inquired, in the
same icy tone.
"Why, the fact Is" said, "that I am
rather ashamed to confess that forgot
to deliver the ribbon paused, for
she looked as angry and disappointed a.
] have ever seen human being appeGr;
but with 1t all there was not . trace Of
pity for the girl or thankfulness at her
escape, only rage at the failure Of her
own plans.
"Is that the way you generally exc
cute your commissioner she said at last,
with sneer.
Excuse me, n continued, "you looked
90 angry that I did not finish my SEN
tence. l was going to say that forgot
TO deliver the ribbon for nearly an hour
after you gave II to me-"
"WellT she said; but ! could Gee she
was intensely interested
II met q friend Of mine down town
and we got to talking, and 90 the time
passed. It was Mr.. Frank Holden. Do
you know himT
She answered mo-" bat knew that
she meant yes. "It was curious" went
on, "but he was taking some ribbon to
Jordan & Marshs also" paused for q
minute in astonishment, for this had
been the widest sort Of o guess on my
part, and yet could see from her invol-
untary start that had unwittingly hit
upon the truth; then proceeded "Just
before we arrived at the store, however,
another friend stopped him to talk, and
| hurried on to do your errand and LEFT
him" She looked immensely relieved.
Ny first bit Of fiction had succeeded %
well that determined to try again, 90 !
said as innocently as could, "ThAt was
not all, Miss Ormsby, for the girl that ]
gave the ribbon to tainted" She made
no direct reply to this, but muttered,
The little fool"
"What do you think Of that" asked.
81 think, she said. ''that your conduct
IL very ungentlemanly, and that you are
Saying these things 10 me for some pur-
pose. What do you meanP Either tell
me at once or be kind enough to leave
the room"
II mean, Miss ormsby," replied,
shat know why you sent the purple
ribbon; that have followed you every
where that you have been tonight; that
the body Of Miss Mason has been found,
and that have seen 1t; finally, ] mean
that have it in my power to have you
arrested for murder"
For q minute or two she did not say
word, but stood looking at me and lifting
her lips; otherwise she was perfectly
calm, and presently said In hard dry
voice, that told Of suppressed feeling;
"You make bold assertions, Mr.. Cum
mingR Can you prove themf"
"Yes," | replied, producing an en-
velope had prepared for this occasion,
here Is letter l found on her body,
charging you with the deed, and with
the proof already have II would serve
- conclusive evidence"
HAS any one else seen this letter."
mo one but myself found It a. I
have Just said"
She waited q minute, and then replied,
"Why don't you summon help and hand
me over to Justice, my chivalrous gentle
man; you zee am defenseless.
"By Jove," cried, q looked ct her,
"you are brave woman II you are bad.
hate to give you up for punishment
much a. you deserve Il
She fell into the trap Just - l hoped
she would, for she thought was weak
ening, and almost before knew IG she
was imploring me 10 have mercy upon
her and save her.
now had her where I wanted her,
and after pretending to bs obdurate for
Q while, finally seemed to relent.
swell" said, II win grant you what
you wish on one condition; that you
make clean breast Of the whole affair
to me-"
"win you give me the letter and
swear on your honor not 10 bstray mel"
"Yes, but not til you have told me