Arizona republican., 1891-12-16

A hundred doubts and questions as- sailed my mind The assignment was another ominous feature; for l remem- Dered, With new shock of apprehension, that In case os Madelaine's dying unmar- red, her property would fall within Mrs. lrenchs reach; the exercises of few le- gal subterfuges would enable her to get possession of it. If there had been n crime, here was motive, But was Mrs. Trench capable of crime? Why not? l Knew her as woman of untiring en- ergy and indomitable purpose. She had shown these traits in rehabilitating her husbands business; but, if an evil end instead of good one were in view, why should not the same qualities find exer- else in that direction? l could give no reason why not.
 In order to be prepared us far as possi- Die for the worst, l went to the registry Of deaths and consulted it for the name or Madelaine Tredwick. It was not there-reckoning from the date of her last letter to me, This was so much to the good. Of course, she might have died elsewhere, or she might have met a fate to which death would be preferable; but, on the other hand, all might not be so bad as l feared. To be able to hope was at least something.
 This brought me to Monday evening" and l went back to my hotel and slept heavily till morning, for 1 needed sleep. When awoke there was an unwonted light in the room, which faced the east looked out, and for the first time since my arrival in London saw the sunshine. The fog had withdrawn it's hideous shadow for the present. With that un- reasoning sympathy which the weather often arouses in the mind, felt my own mood brighten. If Madelaine were alive, would find her yet. But that 'if'' was terrible.
 The first person l saw as came down the steps of the hotel after breakfast was | Robert Heath, my classmate at Oxford, and formerly my i>timate friend He was barrister by profession and good fellow down to the soles of his boots called to him; he turned, recognized me, and a broad smile of pleasure and surprise l illuminated his honest visage. He grasped my hand, asking score of | questions, and welcoming me back to England with word, tone and look As | talked to him all my old feeling of trust and affection came back to me | This was the friend l needed not so much for whatever practical help he might afford as for the encouragement and consolation of his presence and sym | pathy. After We had stood awhile, asked him which way he was going He answered that he was bound across Hyde park and on through Maida Vale to call on a client in Carleton road And being a fine day." he added, "I started early and Was going to foot it. But if you'll come with me we'll take a ! cab"
 "A walk IS just what l need, re- | piled; "and there's something l want to talk to you about" So off wo started, and, as we tramped along, 1 unfolded to him the whole story of my fears and purposes. He listened attentively and seriously. When had finished he con sidered for awhile, and then said: 1t | certainly looks rather tishy. But
 He never finished the sentence. We had by this time nearly reached the end of Maida Vale, and had turned to the left down Carleton road. The houses in this region were detached, each standing in its own inclosure, protected by high brick walls. l saw cab drive up to one of these houses and a lady in a black dress alight and ring the gate bell. Though l was fifty paces off, recog- nized Mrs. Trench immediately. She did not see me, and in another moment the gate was opened, and she disappear ed within. Did you see that" l ex- claimed, grasping my companions arm, "That is she!'
 Mrs. Trench? That's odd! And the house she went into is my clients"
 "Who is he:'
 His name is Glenn-Dr. Glenn; the house is a private lunatic asylum"
 Good God, Bob! May not that be the solution of the mystery? Suppose Madelaine were I could not finish the sentence.
 "To tell you the truth, replied Heath, "I was thinking of something of the kind when you interrupted me. People are still sometimes disposed of III that manner when Circumstances demand it. And, by the way, it was about some question of transferrence of property that was going to see Glenn. There is something about the affair didn't quite like the looks of, and intended, in case he failed to make satisfactory ex- plantations, to refuse to have anything to do with it"
 The idea that Madelaine might be at that moment confined with lunatics within few yards of where we were standing put me almost out of my self control, and l was for taking summary measures on the spot. Heath endeav- ored to moderate my impetuOsity by re- minding me that, first, Madelalne might not be there; and, secondly, that the law was able to free her, if wrongfully con fined, better than any violence on my part could do it. Let us do this," he said finally; "we will go in together, as Mir. Heath and friend. In that way we can gain admittance to the house. Mrs. Trench does not appear unless called for, and Glenn does not know you by sight. Then we'll find some means of determining whether the young lady is in the house, and proceed accordingly"
 For answer l pulled the bell. The gate-an iron barred door, boarded be- hind and painted dark green-was opened by man servant, wko. on sec ing Heath, at once admitted him and his "friend," closing the gate after us. But