The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-09-13

verify. Annie Dupont is no mere crea-
ton of fancy or rumor; she Is fact,
an unqualifed fact, and an established
fact. And facts, you know, are stub
born things!" aaA "a
"Of course Mrs, Maynard resumed,
I in the same cold, constrained tone,
"you have taken the precaution OF sat
isfying yourself with indisputable
proofs of her identity, before accepting
her as the heiress%
"Oh, most assuredly, have taken
every precaution OF that nature. With
in the last thirty-six hours the papers
that establish her identity have all
been in my possession"
do you know where she is at the
present timer
"I think may confidently assert
that I do" He smiled as he spoke,
looking keenly. atMrs. Maynard, who,
however, was unconscious OF the
glance.
Have you brought those papers with
you, Mr.. North-the documentary evil
dence of which you spoke?"
II have not brought them with me.
They are not now In my possession"
"Indeedl May l inquire where they
arep"
"They are probably now in the hands
of Mrs. Dunkirk's attorneys and execu-
tors, Messrs Hunter and Ketchum, of
New York"
Hunter and Ketchum2" She repeated
the words involuntarily. She was for
the moment startled out Of her cold
composure; she looked up at him with
perplexed speculation.
"It's perfectly regular proceeding,
Mrs. Maynard, as you will presently
, understand" added North, answering
the mute inquiry In her glance. "But
we are losing valuable time. Allow me
to proceed without further delay to the
, brief narrative of fact"
/, He drew out his watch as he spoke
and laid It open on the small table at
. his elbow. He had the air of man de-
, termined to accomplish set task with
in a given time. The ladies waited,
each composed In outward mien, for his
4 recital.
a ."It was In Baltimore, you recollect,
Mrs. Maynard" he began, addressing
I himself directly to that lady, that
q Hamilton d upont's death occurred. He
4 was q perfect stranger In that city,
> haSfAg gone thither in search Of en-
: ployment, leaving his wife and child In
q Charleston. This latter fact, by the
\ way, corrects mistaken impression OF
mine had always supposed that Mrs.
Dupont also died in Baltimore, and that
!, In order TO discover any trace Of Annie
the search must commence in that city.
This same idea was doubtless what
baffied Mrs. Dunkirl's detectives. They
persistently sought in Baltimore for the
" child, following up one false clew after
another, on the theory that II she were
i, living at all that was the place to find
her. As a matter of fact, neither Mrs.
. Dupont nor the child was in Baltimore
- at the time of Hamilton Duponts death,
although the published accounts of the
- :, affair gave the impression that they
were there.
"As you yourself told me, Mrs. May
nard, the poor young wife died soon
after Of broken heart; and little An
ME, thus cast upon the cold charities OF
the world, found refuge and loving care
in an orphan asylum in that city. She
|. was received and registered there in
\ her own name, as l discovered few
l DAYS since on searching the records OF
II the institution. The date of this regis
\ try-I do not recall II at the moment
N but have a memorandum OF II some
Il where-corresponds exactly with the
I, date furnished me through another
! source; and thus it affords most salts
. factory corroboration Of my chief docu
mentary evidence.
snow, before the child had been II
the asylum three weeks, lady who
was then transient visitor In Charles
ton presented herself at the institution,
inquiring for Annie Dupont, She soon be
came convinced that the child who wa
entered by that name upon the book
was the Annie Dupont whom she wa
Ia seeking; and, that question settled, sh'
10 proceeded 10 declare her reasons for max
n Ing this inquiry. She had known Hamil
Is ton Dupont and his wife intimately, anc
he was greatly attached 10 them both; and
for their saiiss she felt an unusual In
On terest In their infant daughter, VIII
" was, l am told, at that time remarha
cd bly, beautiful child--which can YER,
er easily believe, having seen for mysel
~ what q charming woman she has be
n come" W.
,r. As he spoke these, last words with th
he same air of simple good faith that ha'
re characterized all his previons state
ments, Mr.. Maynard glanced inyolun
/ ] tarily at Miss Hilary, Us II putting hi
an verdict to the critical test Of her owl
y, dispassionate Judgment Miss Hilary
he ! with eyes downcast, was unconscious o
he the swift scrutiny, Smiling little n
he he Observed II North continued. ~
3D. "This lady furthermore stated tina
he she was slightly acquainted with Mrs
ar Dunlirk, Hamilton Dupont's sister
edl 'NowsStbis Is in effect what qhes sal
Iud 70 the authorities at the asylqin-
a. Lsblfs. eDnnlsirlk isn wealthy widow
.rd and Annie, as her only living relative
.1.l... ..,3a.. l...., HN.kfoh M Of,