Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-06-07
looking, with white hair. An agreeable

Eyes, have met him. Was he not
in Paris in eighteen hundred and sixty
nine? Yes, the emperor was said TO do
some business with him. And he was
murdered, you say? And you were of
the counsel?"
81 appeared for the prisoner
"The man who murdered him, who
was hep"
"Well, my conviction was then, and is
now, that he prisoner was not The man
who murdered him. Appearances were
against him, but believe he was inno-
cent. His name was Keppel Darke, an
artist"
"Did you prove it to the jury?"
NO" said Tom with sigh "they
found him guilty in the second degree.
He was sentenced to Imprisonment for
life. They might as well have hanged
him."
"Why do you say that? If he is inno-
cent, i, is always still possible that it
may be found so; and then, since he still
lives, it can be made good 10 him"
ut will never be much good to him.,
poor boy! He was killed in a railway
smash as they were taking him to Sing
Sing. He's out of the question. But I'd
like mighty well TO get on the trail OF
the real murderer. That would be
worth while still"
"Have you suspicious on the real
one?"
81 can't say have. Nobody seems
TO have identified from his death. His
widow, to be sure, got his fortune; but
she must have had the use of it while
he was alive. My idea was that Trent
had some intrigue or other that never
was known about, and that that was the
cause of his death. But there's no tell
ing"
Had he no relationship friends-to
whom part OF his fortune might have
been left?"
mo blood relations, as far as is known;
but-well, this was an odd feature OF the
case. There was an old lady and her
daughter in whom he was interested,
and | believe they was some sort OF dis
tant cousins Of his. 1t was reported
that he thought of marrying the girl
he was acting as her guardian, and al
lowed the two an income out OF his own
pocket. But when he died his will gave
them nothing, not even a continuance
of the allowance"
And the will was not contested?"
"No. Miss Raven was sensitive I'M
der the circumstances and preferred
not"
but if he left widow how was ii
that he expected TO marry this young
lady?"
THAT was little surprise. The mar
riage had been secret, and wasn't known
till after his death took place in France
somewhere | believe. Yes, there were
several queer things about the case.
should have advised following it up,
Still think the murder was not con
nected with the other questionable
features. 1t stood by itself"
The widow is still living?"
"Oh, yes; and if I'm not mistaken she
means to play big part in society this
winter. She has money enough, and d
good position. | wish the Ravens, poor
things, had had the half of her luck. .
"Ah. and have they met with mis-
fortunes, Them"
"Well, it's hard enough for man tC
make his way, let alone couple of wo
men. The old lady could do nothing,
except eat and wear clothes; but the
young one had pluck, and she knew how
to draw and how to play the piano.
advised her taking pupils, and she Jump
ed at the ida. got a few for her, and
she succeeded so well with them that
others came along. But pupils are not
! To be had in summer, and she would be
| l. nif Ia I'm 1ra1 a
Luckily, naI more room than needed
in my house, so there was no rent for
them to pay, and they are company for
my wife when I'm away"
They are living with you, then?'
cat my invitation-yes. Miss Raven
insists Oh payng.board; bnt'-here Tom
lebuckled- ~ use it to buy the pictures
she puts on sale in the shops when no
one else buys them. I've got quite a
collection of 'em; but, bless her heart
she doesn't know it?"
"You have told me an interesting
story" remarked the count, "and be-
cause appreciate it will buy some OF
the young lady's pictures myeelf. You
shall give me the name of the shop
where they are to be sold. She shall
also paint a picture TO order for my
house"
That's right good Of you," said Tom
heartily. "Shes a nice girl, but deSer-
yes a bit turn of the wheel. But beg
your pardon for getting of the track OF
the house; you happened to touch me
on a spot right over my heart. What
rent would you like to pay?"
Il want to buy the house"
'To buy it, That'll cost you some
thing. You might get it at a reason
able rent, as the house is under cloud
just now, as | was telling you, but when
it comes to buying, it's another thing.
Property up there is rising, and doubt
you would buy the house for less than
it cost to build it-and that's not far OIL
half Million"
"Who owns the houSe?" asked the
count.
"It'll be his widow, | think-Sally
Matchin that was"
Il wish to say no more than is neces-
sary: but l must have the house for my
own in any case. 1t is probable | may
desire to make alterations in it. And ii
property becomes more valuable then
could sell it afterward perhaps.
Eyes; that's true. You'll pay half a
million, then, if it's not going for less|'
You will have the power of attor-
ney; you can draw for whatever is
needed" said the count, buttoning up
his coat. "If you please, let it be done
! by tomorrow. The season is now near,
and | wish to be at home this winter.
VERY well. Here is the receipt for
the ten thousand dollars. I'll say moth
ing about thanks, but I'll do my best to
keep my end up The power Of attor-
ney will be at your hotel for your sigma
ture this afternoon. I'll step over to
Carriage Brownies Office and see about
the house before lunch, and here's the
address of the dealer where the pictures
are for sale. It's not far from your