Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-31

/ tous hAaAiuS yOu Iccl tudt uu1cod your efINuC
be one Of peace and comfort you had better
not confront 30 tremulous a mouth and SO
tender hazel eye. But had steeled myself
against too much sympathy when entered her
presence, 20, barely pausing 70 make my, most
ingratiating bow, took her by the hand, and
gently forcing her to stand for q moment
where the light from the one window fell full
upon her face, said:
You must pardon my intrusion upon you at
| time when you are naturally busy. but there
| Is something you can do for me that will rid me
| OF great anxiety. You remember being in
= Hotel one morning last month";
She was looking quietly up at me, her lips
parted. her eyes smiling and expectant. but at
the mention Of that hotel thought-and yet
may have been mistaken-that a slight change
took place in her expression, il it was only that
the glance grew more gentle and the smile more
marked.
same as that with which she had uttered her
| greeting.
II do not remember" she replied, "yet may
have been there; go to SO many places. Why
DO you ask9: she inquired
because If you were there on that morning
and have been told you were-you may be
ing me-"
Still the same gentle, inquiring look on her
race, only now there was a little furrow of won
der or interest between the eyes.
Il had business in that hotel on that morn
ing" continued. 81 had left letter for a
young friend Of mine in the Bible that lies on
the small table Of the inner parlor. and as she
never received 1t have been driven into max
ing all kinds Of inquiries in the hope of find
ing some explanation of the fact. As you were
there at the time you may have seen something
Walworth?'
Her smile, which had faded. reappeared on
the lips which Taylor SO much admired, a little
pout became visible and she looked quite en-
chanting
II do not even remember being at that hotel
at al. !" she protested. 'Did Mr.. Taylor say
was there?" she inquired, with just that added
look Of exquisite naivete which tho utterance of
lovers name should call up on the face Of q
mo" answered gravely, 'sMr. Taylor, un-
happily, was not with you that morning."
She looked startled.
"Unhappily," she repeated. "what do YOU
mean by that word?" And she drew back. look
ing very much displeased.
l had expected this and 80 was not thrown off
my guard: ,
had had such a companion with you on that
morning should now be able to put INV cues
ton to him, instead of taking your time and
lnterrupting your affairs by my opportunities -
She lost her look of anger and acquired one
OF doubt Did she survey me closely be-
missed her in the eyes of her intended hus-
oand! Or was her expression merely that nat
ural to innocence, equally startled and per-
picked? could not determine.
"You will tell me just what you mean," said
she earnestly.
was equally emphatic in my reply. THAT
is only just. You ought to know why trouble
you with this matter. 1t is because this letter
OF which speak was taken from its hiding
place by some one who went into the hotel par
lors between the hours Of 1890 and u, and as
to my certain knowledge only three persons
crossed its threshold on that especial morning
at that especial time, naturally appeal to each
OF them in turn for an answer to the problem
that is troubling me. You know Miss N.
Seeing by accident letter addressed to her
have thought it your duty to take it out and
carry it to her. II you did and if you lost
But didn't" she interrupted warmly. 81
know nothing about any such letter, and If you
had not declared SO positively that i was in
| that hotel on that especial day l should be
tempted to deny that, too, for have no recol-
| lection Of going there last month"
Mot for the purpose Of rearranging q veil
| that had been blown OFF,
"Oh J" she said, but as ocs who recalls a
forgotten fact,no as one wbs i-t:sipped up in an
| evasion.
began to think her limos: 49, and lost some
OF the gloom which had be,. Expressing me.
You remember, now" Sass l.
"Oh, yes, remember thai"
Her manner SO completely declared that her
| acknowledgements stopped there that saw it
would be useless to venture further. II she
were innocent she could not tell more; If she
| were guilty would not. So, feeling that the in
| former hypothesis, again took her hand and
| said:
II see that You can give me no help. I am
! sorry, for the whole happiness Of a man, and
| perhaps that OF woman also, depends upon
| the discovery as to who took the letter from
| mt fhQ Ia trl,a II had .
| unfortunate morning." and making her
another low bow was about to take my de-
Parture when she grasped me impulsively by
| the arm.
What ,a,, MANI" she whispered, and in lower
| turned and looked at her. "Great
heavenn thought 1, ''can such face hide
selfish and intriguing heart?' and in a fash
| summoned up in comparison before me the
| plain honest and reliable countenance of Mrs
Couldock and that Of the comedy and unpre-
tending Miss Dawes, and knew not what to
! think.
you do not mean YOURSELF" she continued
| as she met my look Of distress.
| NO" returned; happily for me my well
| fare is not bound up in the honor Of any
woman" and leaving that shaft to work its way
| into her heart, il that heart was vulnerable,
took my leave, moro troubled and less decided
| than when entered.
For her manner had been absolutely that Of
woman surprised by insinuations she was too
innocent to rate at their real Importance and
yet If she did not take away that letter who
| did? Mrs. Couldock? Impossible. Miss
Dawes? The thought was untenable even for
| an instant. l waited in great depression of
spirits for the call which knew Taylor would
not fail to make me that evening.
When he came l saw what the result Of nv
revelations was likely to be AZ plainly rs see
it now. He had conversed frankly with Mrs
COuldock and with Miss Dawes. and was per-
fectly convinced as to the utter ignorance Of
them both i'll regard to the whole affair. In
consequence, Mrs. Walworth was guilty in his
estimation, and being held guilty could be no
wife for him, much as he had loved her and
urgent us may have been the causes for her
act.
But" said I, in some horror, of the conse-
quences Of an interference for which 1 was
almost ready to blame myself now, Mrs
Couidock and Miss Dawes could have done no
more than deny all knowledge of this letter
Now, Mrs. Walworth does that and
"You have seen her? You have asked
her"
Eyes, I have seen her and have asked her,
and not MI eyelash dropped as she affirmed q
complete ignorance Of the whole affair"
Taylor's head fell.
~ told you how that would be-" he muir
INJURED at last. II cannot feel that it is any
proof of her innocence. Or rather" he added.
II should always have my doubts"
"Ard Mrs. COuldock and Miss Dawes?''
"Ah" he cried, rising and turning away,
''there is no question of marriage between
either of them and myselfo