Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-30
I could haye forgiven him everything but

tic woman before him, and noticed
admiringly how beautiful she was in
her melting mood. He was an i'm.
pressionable man. with lively apprecia-
tion of what is known as "fne woman. u
Then, presently, he came to determine.
tion.
''Mr. b. he said, ''comes out of it a,
clean as newly done up shirt. That's GER
tain; and I'm glad of 1t for your sake,
a'am. But isn't there another side to the
matter? I had not intended to speak oft,
because it's no affair of mine. My business
was to find out all about Mr. B., and I've
done that for you. feel, however, that
| you're lady should like to help. There's
| a misunderstanding somewhere in this af-
fair. We've been hunting for the shoe that
| don't pinch"
"What do you mean ?" asked Mrs Bar.
| berini.
"What mean is, that while you have
been suspecting Mr.. B. of doing wrong, he
has been suspecting you of the same"
"Me? Suspect me 2" exclaimed Mrs.
Barberini. in horror.
eyes, ma am; though of course he's quite
in error-I can see that well enough. But
it's so. Can't you see that his conduct has
been purpose-lIks; that he's kept away so as
to give you every chance, and catch you on
the hop-detect you. I should say? Du-
points man had orders to let him know at
once if you received any party or went out
with him. That's why he stopped ut his
club and at the hotel, so as to be handy if
called for''
Gracious heavens!' almost screamed
Mrs. Barberini. SIS it possible?"
"Well, it's SO, anyhow"
II shall go home and speak to Mr. Bar
berini about this matter. It's downright
hot ha
witep
Mr.. Brusel smiled, and allowed his fair
client sufficient time recover from her emo
tion. He then said, "Will you let me offer
SUGGESTION"
Mrs. Barberini nodded.
'1've given this case my best attention.
Until minute or two ago l was still in
doubt-we have such queer lot sometimes
to deal with in our line of business. But
now I'm positive. MI. B. has heard some
thing, his mind somehow has been poisoned
against you. Have you any enemies-is
there anyone who would do you a bad
turn?" -
Not one that know Of" replied Mrs.
Barberini, emphatically, land Mr.. Barbe-
rlni is not the man to listen to tittle-tattle.
"Then, it's as thoug a mys-
terry which wants clearing up MI. B. must
have had some strong reason for behaving
as he has done Listen to me, ma'am; you
give this thing proper chance. Don't act
hastily. Wait few days without saying
or doing anything; and in the meanwhile,
I'll set my wits at work to find it all out for
you"
Mrs. Barberini reflected for moment.
Perhaps it would be as well, she then
said. II will do as you advise me. My
mind is at any rate relieved. AS to the
rest, can afford to laugh at it
vi
The Barberini case went on for some davs
without any fresh or remarkable develop
ment. The husband was still moody and
suspicious; but the wife had recovered her
good spirits, and though faithful to her
compact with Mr.. Brusel, could not refrain
from sly and amused looks at her jealous
and gloomy Charles. Remembering, never
theless, what she herself had suffered, she
also felt considerable compassion for the
misery she now saw he was enduring.
Nothing, in fact, except her promise to the
ex-Inspector, and the hope that all would
end presently in a comfortable and satis-
factory manner prevented her from having
an explanation with Mr.. Barberlni, and in
sisting upon learning from his lips what
was the foundation ofs his mistrust. That
it was of serious nature she felt sure.
Charles was not the man to suspect his wife
lightly.
At length Mr. Brusel broke his silence
He sent one morning q secret message sum-
moning Mrs. Barberini to his office. AS
soon as she arrived there she saw by the
expression of his, face that he
had succeeded.
''You have good news?" she said. 81
know you have"
II hope So" answered the ex-Inspector,
beaming upon her.
'Tell me then," added Mrs. Barberini,
eagerly.
"It's not question of telling you any
thing" replied Mr.. Brusel. "You must
just be obliging enough to do something
that 1 am going to ask you to do. 1 will |
answer for the consequences. But in the |
first place you have a brother. haven't
'Why, of course I have replied Mrs.
Barberini, greatly surprised. "What a
strange questions" i
"It's perhaps not so strange as you think |
He's grown up young gentleman, isn't hs? |
In the bank with your father?"
''Yes, that is quite correct" said Mrs.
utterly unable to understand |
what Mr.. Brusel was aiming at
"He will do spendidly, think. Lwant
you to wire to your brother to come to YOU
.tter his business hours, this very Afternoon.
listen, attentively-I want YOU
% get him to take you to place they call
,he Vallambrosa Theater."
''The Vallambrosa Theaterr' exclaimed
Mrs Barberini.
eyes, 1 know what you are goia ag to say.
You have heard that it's net the place a
IL H. ,,..k !V,-
If that; but it is necessary you
hould make an exception for this once.
esides, you'll be in private Box, and that
Won't be so bad. Heaps of ladies go, for
he fun OF the thing in a private box"
eyes; but why should I go the Vallam-
,rosa Theater?" asked Mrs. Bkrberini.
That's my little secret" }repled Mr..
3rusel, slyly. you'll knSw why well
'nough after you have been &there. Come,
ma am, you've put yourseT II in my hands
md you're surely not goinct to fail me Just
when I'm bringing this matter to what I
lope will be most satisfactory conclusion?
t is not much ask of youF You will have
,our brother with you tofprotect you, and
hat should be sufficient fYr any lady," /
"Well, and supposing Y consent to do as
,ou wish and 60 to-nighf to the Vallam-
rosa Theater, what am A to do there?"
Mr.. Brusel took an Envelope out of a
|rawer of his desk. fThis contains the
icket for private box. {" he said "Dress
-ourself pretty smart; Igo to Vallambrosa
With your brother, and Isit so that you can
'e seen-not too prominently, you know,
nut just so that anyone looking specially
or you might catch sight of you. 1 shall
e on the premises also: and during the
curse OF the evening iyou will .see-what
ou will see. I'd rather say no more at
resent"
las fairlY roused sfWon,t xon tell mo |