The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-07-28
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CHAPTER X.-CoNr1SuEp.

CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.
Then, In less extensively defiant tones,
perhaps in commiseration for the great
anguish in the sweet white face before
him, he added:
''She went away from me! Thank
God, the last words she ever heard me
say were in apology for that brutal out
break. / had never spoken angrily to
her before. had never had occasion
to do so. believed in her utterly and
entirely. Yes, she went away from me
could hear her voice above every
other one, the gaycst, clearest one
there, as went out of the house again
dined at the clubhouse that day. I
wanted time to think the whole misera-
bic business over fully before met her
again. / was afraid I might forget
that was gentleman and she a
woman; false, damnably nntruthful.
but yet woman. Nothing would be
easier than for me to prove an alibi if
need be. did not care for my own
| company that evening. 1 picked two
club men up on leaving the house, drove
eiAShA W viz Siup. uihVu Will thcll,
played whist with them, until-until-
messenger-Bcnnett,I believe it was
came to the club and informed me that
Mrs. Norcross' maid, surprised at her
mistress not ringing for her at bedtime,
| went to look her up, she found her-as
you know. You are her sister, and you
are entitled to this much"
He stopped talking, and, reaching for
ward to decanter on the table, poured
| out a large wineglassful of Madeira
which he drank off at gulp. Nora:
eyes had never once left his face while
he was talking.
You believe me, do you not?" HI
asked, leaning YEARLY back in hi.
chair, and drawing his handkerchief
slowly across his lips.
"You have left me no choice I mus
believe you. / do"
'This is the first and only Statement
I shall make on the subject. have of
fered the reward, rs told you before
In few days leave for Europe. Their
is one thing should like to do. Befor
you came, it looked impossible
She looked at him inquiringly
1 W nav a StidHSS tui Al tsthSh
He began again, in broken voice:
''In charlottesville spoke Of child
I should like to know that it would no
become pauper-would never know
the need which sometimes drive
women to deceive men. If you will hel]
mel do not know its name. Their
were no names mentioned. She onl,
spoke of her little girl. BY that knew
she was widow"
''Thcre is no need for that The chill
will be we'll cared for. But it is gen
erous Of you"
She put out her hand to him impul
sively. Perhaps, after all, he had beel
more sinned against than SHINING. II
took the proffered hand:
Thank you. / am glad, after ali
that have been able to rid your min,
of that hideous fancy, before leave tn
country. 1t might have looked like
flight. And don't know but what i
is. Life, here, is intolerable-win b
everywhere, in fact &
And you have no theory? 1t was no
a suicide?" she asked.
mo. OF that am quite sure. Sh
was too = timid, and not miserabl
enough, by half! I had theory-th
same one the detectives seem to hav
hit upon."
He pointed to the papers she ha
thrown on his table.
"You mean the strange, plainly
drsssed woman who was admitted t.
Mrs. Norcross in the afternoon, an,
who, according to the papers, stole on
by side entrance, evidently shunnin,
observation That was l."
80 presumed. That was why -
said had theory. have none now
Nor any clew whatever?"
None. Unless"-he opened drawe
of the writing table and took from it
small pasteboard box-''this may even
tually prove to be one" He eXtende,
it, unopened, to Nora Lorimer. II
was found clasped in one of her hands
But she had SO many trinkets and bau
bles that lay no stress upon it-ssarce
ly know how to connect it with tn
crime" - 80 z
Nora drew from the box with tremb
ling fingers a broken piece of gol,
chain. Attached to it was a seal O
some clear translucent stone. An in
taglio with a device which it was no
easy to read at first glance marke,
it. 1t was such a seal as years befor
had been used for impressing the wax OF
letters. twas large, and not 'particu
larly fine in workmanship. She fel
/ quite sure it had not been amongAqelia'
\ few possessions in her girlhood; no
was it such seal as the wealthy Mrs
Norcross would-have been likely to pun
chase. Moreover, seals were not il
fashionable demand just then.
May keep this, Mr.. Norcross?" sh
asked, replacing the possible Glow i
the box. She had studied it carefully
He WAS leaning back in his chai
with closed eyes. His face was worl
and haggard. He waved his hand il
consent. sat up presently, and held GU
his hand to her:
4 II believe I must ask yen to cut thi
1 interview short. It has been more try
ing than I anticipated. We have ez
onersted each other. but intensified tn
mystery. Perhaps time will solve il
perhaps we will never know until"
/ sShe solves the mystery for MS her
j self, over there" said Nora, turnin,
away from. ,Amelia's husband and tn
tarkened home which would neve
again resound to the chatter Of, ga
voices o. be converted into o bower .
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