Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-10-17

so angry that l did not finish my SEN
tence. l was going to say that forgot
to deliver the ribbon for nearly an hour
after you gave 1t to me-"
"WellY' she said; but could see she
was intensely interested.
II met a friend of mine down town
and we got to talking, and SO the time
passed. It was Mr.. Frank Holden. Do
you know him%
She answered mo-" but / knew that
she meant yes. "It was curious" went
on, "but he was taking some ribbon to
Jordan & Marsh's also." paused for
minute in astonishment, for this had
been the widest sort of guess on my
part, and yet 1 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.
My first bit of fiction had succeeded 30
well that determined to try again, so l
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 thatr asked.
Il think, !" she said. "that your conduct
is very ungentlemanly, and that you are
saying these things to me for some pur-
pose. What do you mean? Either tell
me at once or be kind enough to leave
the room"
~ mean, Miss Ormsby," l replied,
that 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 it; finally, l mean
that have it in my power to have you
arrested for murder"
For minute or two she did not say q
word, but stood looking at me and biting
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
mings. Can you prove them"
"Yes," l replied. producing an en-
velope had prepared for this occasion,
"here is letter found on her body,
charging you with the deed, and with
the proof already have it would serve
as conclusive evidence"
Has any one else seen this letter."
mo one but myself found it as i
have just said"
She waited minute, and then replied
"Why don't you summon help and hand
me over to justice, my chivalrous gentle
,.or. xo,, c..a dafonealaCs
by Jove," cried, as looked at her,
"you are brave woman if you are bad.
I hate to give you up for punishment.
much as you deserve it.
She fell into the trap just as l hoped
she would, for she thought was weak
ening, and almost before knew it she
was imploring me to have mercy upon
her and save her.
now had her where wanted her,
and after pretending to be obdurate for
while, finally seemed to relent.
"Well," said, II will 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 to betray mel"
"Yes, but not till you have told me
about it"
The reader already knows SO mnch OF
her story that will only give brief
summary of her confession.
She told me that she was engaged to
Mr.. Frank Holden. and had been for
more than year, but that the engage
ment had never been announced. About
six months before she had learned that
her fance was paying marked attention
to shopgirl in Jordan 81 Marsh's. with
whom he had become enamored.
He offered her honorable marriage,
but the girl was too sensible not to fore
see that complications would arise owing
to their different stations in life and re-
fused him. Holden, however, was per
sistent, and Miss Mason. who did not
know that he was already engaged, sub
mitted to his wishes to this extent. She
told him he must leave her and see moth,
ing of her for three months. II at che
end of that time he still wished to marry
her she would consent.
1t was further agreed that he should
inform her of his decision in the follow
ing manner, When the three months
were past if he still loved her he should
send her bit of red ribbon; if not. a
scrap of purple.
All this Miss Ormsby discovered, as
well as the date on which he would send
the token. She knew well enough that
it would be red. and she knew also that
as long as Miss Mason lived her own
love was vain. She likewise learned
that Miss Mason was of highly nervous
temperament and very much in love
with Mr.. Holden, so she felt quite sure
that should he disappoint her she would
do something desperate.
1t now only remained to send bit of
purple on the day that Holden sent the red
ribbon, and SO arrange matters that the
shop girl should have several hours at
her disposal before her lover could dis
cover the trick.
Miss Ormsby did not care to take the
package herself for fear that she might
be recognized, and meeting me used me