Connecticut western news., 1891-03-25

and devotion possible during 8 ser1ous illness. This lady, who was Rays mother. was an angel of mercy to me, 8 homeless wanderer. One day l was ly- ing on the sofa deluged with shawls, wraps. etc.. reading my correspondence from the foreign police offices. Nothing had really been done. although man had been sent to Ireland. So many years had passed they could hold out lit tie hope to me.
 A rap at the door. and May come in:" from Ray.
 ''Of course" replied. Why do you ask:"
 Because have brought you a visi- tor" he said. as he entered with his arm around beautiful young girl. whom he introduced as his sister Lillian.
 l told her she .S.is very kind to visit an invalid, and wondered what they would think if they knew l was hunting down a murderer of sixteen years ago. Many happy days passed in spite of ill ness and vendettas. They insisted upon keeping me for a ball in honor of Lilian's twentieth birthday foand resistance useless. so yielded with as good grace as possible, although knew such gayeties were not for me. and my mothers death was too recent not to destroy any desire for such pleasures.
 However l staid, and on the evening of the ball arrayed myself in my dress suit and descended to 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. I easily mingled unnoticed in the crowd.
 AS 1 gazed on that brilliant scene wondered what the dear mother was thinking a5 she locked down from her home on high. I thought of the little grave in the far away country. of the vendetta left me as legacy. Ray broke in upon my meditations, and finding it impossible to persuade me to dance said: Well. do take Miss Van Dyke into sup per and relieve me-"
 complied, and upon entering the supper room removed one glove. as my hand was warm. Upon doing so glanced at the opal ring, and to my hor, TOT noticed that it had become blood red. What could it mean? l glanced around the room and noticed only a doz- en people, but these brilliant society people of Washington. What had they to do with my opal turning red? l must be mistaken. No; it was a deep blood red. noticed Rays uncle among the crowd-a tall. dark man, conversing with alady; and 1 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- stunned it's original color. l escorted Miss Van Dyke back to the ballroom and delivered her to a partner. Then sought an introduction to Rays uncle MT. Radcliff," he exclaimed, and saw him start, where was your home. if may ask?" ''In the north of Ireland," replied, "and my father was Robert Radcli1f." noticed my ring had again become red, which fact dispelled all doubt from my mind. Notwithstanding how ridiculous it seemed, con tinued ''Mr. Darlington, l would like few words with you privately"
 "Not tonight" he stammered, 'ebut tomorrow at 10 a. m." ''Very well," replied. and then sought the smoking room to be able to think. Lilian's uncle. She to whom my heart had gone out was the niece of the murderer of my father. for had faith that had found the man 1 retired that night to get little or no sleep, to wonder what 1 should say and do to Howard Darlington, and what mo tive he 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 the man to come with me, for we must break in the door.
 We easily did SO, and there, with his head on his arm, leaning on his desk was Darlington. Then to our horror we | revolver near it. We went to him and found him dead. The bullet had done it's deadly work. On the desk lay an en. velope addressed to Carl R. Radclif. | opened it and read:
 l ''Mr. RadclH-YOu have tracked me | at last. How l cannot imagine, for
 never supposed there was single clew Now know my time has come an tired of being bounded by remorse, ano should have made way with myself be fore long anyway. killed your father nearly seventeen years ago in Ireland.
 had fallen passionately in love with you mother long before she knew of your ia ther. She rejected me with scorn be cause drank. When she married Rad cliff was wild with jealousy. Still
 never should have done him harm if Ii hadn't been for meeting him that darl night all alone. 1 was mad with drink and the deed was done before 1 realized the crime. have never since touched drop of liquor. No one suspected MT Darlington. the tourist. of such deed and after some time came here to m, friends. Now you know all-H. C."
 never told my friends of this lette or of the crime. They thought it tenn porary insanity now felt free to offe
 myself to Lillian, and to my joy and as
 tonishment was accepted. Eighteel months from the time of her uncle death Lillian became my wife. l hav
 always worn the opal ring, which ha
 never changed its color since it showed
 me my fathers murderer.-L. M. A. il
 Boston Globe