The Opelousas courier., 1892-01-23
ssThat settles the question. L

- SooN ASAOf saN
give Jack till after two, and then if hi
does not return | shall take my depart
IRE. Once more, good night"
Cyril Messiter stood erect until the
last rustic of Mrs. Ssymour's satin skirts
had died away On the staircase, Wen ht
sank into the depths of a downy chair
and smilingly contemplated the dying
fire.
He sat there silently smoking an(
slipping, till the silence of the night wa
br oxen by the iron tongue of the church
clock beating out haIf-past two. The
grandfather's t~imepieee on the stairs
whirred and groaned as it struck, while
Just above his head the sharp chimes o
a little French clock startled the watcher
from his reverie.
He rose, tossed his half-smo6ed cigar,
cite into the CRATE, tael wen
into the hall and listened. Moth.
inc but the slow, heavy tic'> from tbs
carven clock oil an upper landing dis.
turbed the intense stiffness. The house
was like a grave, and his footsteps as he
went down the marble hall, echoed
clearly up the wide staircase.
With a sharp click he opeuel the
froas sta.r, and as sharply closed it to
lgain. He returned to the library for
mother half-hour. then with a quiet
Imile playing round the corners of his
mouth, he turned out the gas, lit a can.
die which stood on the hall table, and
taking off his boots crept quietly up.
stairs.
1t was past nine o'clock next morning
before Mrs. Seymour rang for her tea
and letters.
"Has yourmaster rung his bell yet?'
she asked the servant who answered the
bell.
"No, ma'am. Idon't think my mas
ter is back"
"Oh, yes he is. I heard him come
upstairs at half-past two this morning.
Go to his room and say I wish to know
what news he has of Lady Hunter" But
the next moment the maid was back
again.
"Mr. Seymour's not in his room,
ma'am. I've knocked there, and then !
looked in"
Chow very odd. I suppose I must
have dreamt-and yet, l could have
sworn that he-well, give me my tea
and the letters"
The dainty tray was handed her, Ia
den with delicate china, a whole heap
of letters, and-a telegram.
She opened that first, and gave a little
cry OF astonishment as she mastered its
contents.
Have been hoaxed. Lisa quite well.
Back to breakfast at 1879. JACK"
GA hoax! Then who was that man
who came here last nigdt2 What was
his obiect?n
With her brain full of vague c%onjec-
lures Sylvia mechanically opened and
glanced over her correspondence.
"Myras bill again. How that woman.
bothsrs for her money! A long gossip
from Lena Dalton. Full of the chill
dren's and servants doings as usual. A
ball at Lady Weldon's. How jollyl I
must have a new gown for it though.
The Jacobs ask us to dinner. We We only
met them about twice. A line from
mamma Simpsons flower bill. Heavenl
what a lot lowe them. Title Weston
engaged at last. Umph! she's tried long
enough. Why. what's this2 A packet,
aud sealed, too, and I don't know tae
handwriting. It must have been deliv-
cred by hand; there are no stamps or
postmarks on it. Well, I eha'n't know
what its about till I open it, SO here
goes
With dett fingers she broke the seal,
and drew from the envelope a small roll,
inclosed in a typewriter sheet of paper,
which she rapidly read:
DEAR Mrs. SEYMoUR-Era you receive
this you wilt have heard from your husband
that the message sent him last night was a
hoax. knowing so much you may as well
be made acquainted with the reason for the
trek. A fortnight ago at my ctuS q friend
bet me the Il OF 5000 that I would not
succeed in passing q night under the roof Of
any good family with whose members l was
unacqualnted. In a fit of bravaao on the
spur OF the moment Iaccepted the bet. We
went out with two witnesses to fix upon the
family. As we went down PiccadlIly to-
ward the Park, you drove by, and were at
once pointed out TO me. AT the time I did
not even know your name. but in order to
win my bet | had to make it my business to
find out all about you and your family. I
soon a~scef6ained VINO you were and where
you lived. a little juilcious bribery gave
ME a key to our movements and engage
ments. Hearing thai you were dining out
alone last night, / devised the scheme which
took your husband out of town, and
which eventually landed him out
side his sisters country house iii the
small hours OF the morning. | myself left
your house half an hour ago, having salts
factoFally proved TO the witnesses wlo
watched outside all night that I had fairly
won my bet. | am now writing this letter
(whica my valet will put in your letter-box)
to explain matters, AMI also TO say that
owe you my thanks for having unwittingly
enabled me TO win a large sum of money.
You mead have nofear, and may trust to my
discretion. Though appearances may be
against me, 1 hope ] am a gentleman and
understand paying mr. debts as well as win
ming my bets. For your help in the matter,
/ inclose you 1000. I am already on my
way abroad, so if you area as wise as you are
beautiful, you will keep the notes and your
own counsel, for neither you nor your hus-
band will ever find one who was once,
Yours truly, CYRIL MEssITER.n
London HooE.