The morning call., 1891-03-08

cence grew into recollection-and every
drop of blood stole from cheek and lips
downtown with a deadly GOODNESS like
half frozen water.
MY God" she whispered, and stood per-
fectly still for seconds. Then she turned
quietly round and said in business-like way.
i" DO you know anything more about this
Langton? Who he was, whence he came.
where he VENT"
Lord, ma'am, only what he said, and
that wasn't much-only that he had been in
the Government service in Russia, and
when he left he said he should go back there
for awhile"
Russia-you are sure Of thatP"
Bless you, ma'am, yes"
Another lie of his, then" muttered the
other between her teeth; then aloud, she
said: You must come to the city with me,
Mrs; Pyke. 1 will make it worth your
while"
Three days after that, Wilfred Romaine.
standing before that memory picture he had
worked all these anxious weeks of sus-
pense, scarcely heard his servant at the
door announce visitor, but perhaps some
subtle sense Of the presence that was never
absent from his heart made him turn sud-
denly 10 see the living original Of his wrapt
in thought. The light sprang to his eyes,
10 his whole face, and with resistleSs i'm
pulse he almost caught her hand in a close
clasp.
"You," he said, under his breath, "you-
NJ last! forgive my llnpetuOSlJy-yOu nave
some news for me?" he added, instantly
regaining control and readily covering his
words as the woman'S cheek flushed and her
hand trembled In his. Her heart thrObbed
up into her throat and unnerved her for
moment Love was not for her, it never
had been in all her miserable, garish life.
And this CLEAN that picture behind-no, no :;
it was AN artists wild and fanciful romance.
Somehow. with this maa no cynical sus-
piclons touched her. and after the slightest
pause to master herself she could quickly
take up his saving clause.
Yes, have news at last, Mr.. Romano !;
my theory reached the truth, he started
your stepmother's murderer had once been
her loVer-engaged to her."
Then she told him the story, he listening
with one hand shading his eyes, silelt, still,
with the very tension of every fiber.
when the faded photo" the detective
went On, suggested TO my memory a face
L had known, brought this Mrs. Pyke with
ME unknown to anybody; | would not even
report myself until | was sure OF success.
witness-1 being disgused-to a restaurant
where knew the man | suspected usually
dined, and presently he did come in among
some three or four others. ] saw Mrs.
Pyke's eyes go from one to the other, then
faSten on him-watch him from our corner,
and then she gripped my hand under the
table and muttered in my ear. That's him
over there, facing the window Then 1
took her away back to our lodgings and
early this morning l went to a certain
laundress who was employed by my sus-
poets housekeeper, and showed her the
handkerchief. Had she ever had it
to wash? Yes, she had; she knew
the faded red mark, it had amused her so
much; the old handkerchief had been black
with dust and had some little bits of gum
paper sticking to it. She had sent it back
among the rest of the gentleman's pocket
handkerchiefs. 1t had come last October.
Never read papers or heard any news 1
asked carelessly. Lor' no, ma'aE:,' she
said; L wasn't able to- Again this red
mark is a strong link in my chain of evil
dence. You see, both Of one individuality,
and showing (as l shall, yet further) that
handkerchief to have been in the possess
sion Of my suspect and in his bureau only
three days before the murder on that fatal
night. / viii tell you on the way to the
police headquarters what the man is. Can
you come, tor you should make the charger
have to swear information for the war
rant"