Telegram-herald., 1891-06-20

lluSn6. lis adv, Who Was hSf
mother. Was an angel Of mercy 10 re.
non4elss wa-Asrx. OEs DAP was T.
ing en- the s5-a eslnged with shawk.
wrsps. etc. reading nay correspondence
frol- It's fOrelxn yches ofhcas Notning
nzd really been done. although ma
had been sent % Irefald so manv
years had passed they could hold cut liz
tis hope - me.
Arap 81 the door, and May come
I'M from Ray.
OF course" replied. why do yen
aSs."
Because have brought you visi-
tor, he sad - he catered with his arm
around beautiful young girl. whom ID
introduced "a his sister Lillian.
| told her she Was very kind 20 visit
an invalid. and wondered what they
would think if they knew | was hunting
down a murderer OF sixteen years ago.
Many happy days passed ia spite OF III
ness and yendettas. They insisted upon
keeping me for ball in honor OF Lihan's
twentieth birthday. found resistance
useless. 80 yielded with as good grace as
p~St<4DANF aAAhVA%A SRtll H2fFtlt8
were not for me, and my mothers death
was too recent noe TO destroy any desire
for such pleasures.
However | staid, and on the evening
OF the ball arrayed myself IN my dress
suit and descended 10 the ballroom.
which was beautifully decorated with
tropical plants and lovely ferns. Lillian
was receiving her guests by her mothers
side. She was dressed in gown of sill
very fabric, which made her look more
than ever like the beautiful fairy she
was. l easily mingled unnoticed in the
crowd.
AS / gazed ON that brilliant scene l
wondered what the dear mother was
thinking as she locked down from her
home on high. l thought OF the little
| grave in the far away country, Of the
vendetta left me rs legacy. Ray broke
in upon my meditations, and finding 1t
impossible to persuade me to dance said:
well, do take Miss Van Dyke into sup
per and relieve me-"
l complied, and upon entering the
supper room removed one glove, as my
hand was warm. Upon doing so I
glanced mt the opal ring. and to my hor-
ror noticed that it had become blood
red. What could it mean? l glanced
around tho room and noticed only doz-
en- people, but these brilliant society
| people of Washington. What had they
to do with my opal turning red' must
be mistaken. No; it was a deep blood
red. noticed Rays uncle among the
crowd tall, dark man, conversing
with alady; and mechanically watched
him leave the room, then glanced at my
ring and, great heavens! my blood SEEM
ed turning to ice, for the ring had re
sumed its original color. I escorted
Miss Van Dyke back to the ballroom
and delivered her to a partner. Then /
sought an introduction to Rays uncle
Mr.. Radcliff," he exclaimed. and saw
him start. where was your home. il l
may ask" I'm the north Of Ireland"
replied, "and my father was Robert
Radcliff." noticed myring he'd again
become red, which fact dispelled all
doubt from my mini. Notwithstanding
how ridiculous it seemed, continued,
"Mr Darlington, would like O few
words with you privately"
Mot tonight" he stammered, "but
tomorrow at 10 a. IN" Every WELL" I
replied, and then sought the smoking
room to be able to think. Lilian's uncle.
She to whom my heart had gone oct was
tho niece Of the murderer of my father,
for had faith that had found TIE man.
retired that night TO get little or no
sleep, to wonder what l should say and
| do to Howard Burlington, and what mo-
tive no could have had for such deed.
The next morning called at his resi-
dence promptly at 10 o'clock, and was
told that the gentleman was not yet up.
had not answered when he was called,
and must be very tired. A horrible sus-
| picion came over me, and told tho man
to como with me, for we must break In
the door.
We easily did 80. and there, with his
head ON his arm, leaning on his desk,
was Burlington. Then to our horror we
saw o stream of blood on the floor and
revolver near it. We went to him and
| found him dead. The bullet had done
its deadly work On the desi, lay an en-
velope addressed to Carl r. Radcliff.
| opened II and read:
| "Mr. Radcliff-You have tracked me
! Mt last. How l cannot imagine, for
never supposed there was single clew.
| Now know nv time has come. / am
tired Of being bounded by rernorse. and
I should have made way with myself be-
fore long anyway. killed your father
nearly seventeen years ego In Ireland.
had fallen passionately In love with your
mother long before she knew OF your ia
Their. She rejected me with scorn be-
cause 1 drank. When she married Rad
| cliff I was wild With jealousy. Still
newer should have done him harm il it
hadn't been FOR meeting h'rn that dark
night al alone. was mad with drink,
and the deed was done before realized
! the crime. have never since touched q
drop of liquor. No ono suspected Mr..
Darlington. the tourist. OF such deed.
and after some time came here 30 my
frtends. Nor. Won know all-H @"
mover told my friends Of this letter
on OF the crime. They thought 10 tem-
porary insanity l now felt free TO offer
myself to Lillian, and to my joy and a.
toniAhment was accepted. Eighteen
months from the time Of her uncle's
death Lillian became my wife. heve
always worn the opal ring, which has
4 ~,xx<-<~ ~ chnxvoi