The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-06-10

| dl6 IhANCk WAS UNEAfECIEO.
before O1lin, whose telegram had pre-
ceded him but brief time, should APP
pear upon the scene.
Allan North was in better spirits thai
he had been at any time since he begar
this investigation. Success had attend
ed his efforts to trace and identity the
long-missing heiress; and, though al
undoubted source of anxiety yet re
NAMED, he believed that, with this &C
complished, the danger that menaceo
the good name of the family could be
averted. Further than this he scarcely
dared allow himself to hope; and yet
there was hope down deep in his
heart, so closely akin to despair that it
sent the color from his face as swiftly
as summer cloud obscures the sun
light, when he entered Mrs. Maynard's
drawing-room and found himself in
Myra Hilary's presence.
His entrance was unexpected and un-
announced, and he had advanced half
| way across the room before the two la
dies, who were conversing together in
low, earnest tones over their needle
work became aware that he was there.
Then, with noticeable lack of cor
diality, they both greeted him, and Mrs.
Maynard coldly invited him to be seated.
North was sufficiently annoyed by
this reception to be quite thrown out of
his usual suavity for the moment.
ST fear that l am interrupting an
agreeable tete-a-tete, Mrs. Maynard"
he said stiff1y, "but shall ask your in
diligence long enough to communicate
Charleston. The fact that your own in
terests are SO closely involved therein is
my sole justification for intruding the
matter upon you now"
"You have secured my eager attention
in advance, Mr.. North" said Mrs May
nary, with quiet sarcasm, as she leaned
back idly in her chair and folded her
hands with an air of expectancy. 81
cannot be indifferent to a communion
ton that affects my own selfish inter-
ests. Pray allow me to ask, is it the
mystery of Annie Dupont that you are
about to clear away?"
"That is, indeed, the purpose that 1
have in mind, returned North, with an
involuntary glance toward Miss Hilary. |
1t was the merest idle glance, yet she |
fancied that it had purpose, and she
rose at once to withdraw from the |
room. Mrs. Maynard hastily interposed: |
"Please remain, Miss Hilary" she
said. ''You are sufficiently familiar
with the matter that have mentioned |
to feel an interest in this promised solu-
ton of the mystery. Indeed" she added,
in a significant tone, turning toward
North with cold inquiry, sit is possible
that your forthcoming revelations will
prove to have deeper personal interest
for Miss Hilary than for myself. How
S this, Mr.. North?"
North looked at her sharply for mo-
nent, while family perceptible shade
If amusement blended with the grave,
expression on his face; then he
aid, with furtive satire:
"Your discernment astonishes me,
drs. Maynard But indeed, l had no
Intention of excluding Miss Hilary from
his interview. 1 have every reason to
'elIove that she will find the story of
Annie Dupont interesting, and that she
viii rejoice as earnestly at the good
ortune of that young lady as do my
elf, or as you will, Mrs. Maynard, af-
er time !
"You are quite convinced then, Mr..
'orth," said Mrs. Maynard, as she
flied nervously with her dainty lace I
andkerchief without looking at North, q
that there is such a person as Annie C
upont, and that she is truly Mrs. Dun I
iriS's niece?" d
81 am quite convinced of it, Mrs. q
aynard. just as sure las 1 am that u
ou are in this room; just as sure as S
n of my own presence here; just as b
ire as l am of any other established c
,rity. Annie Dupont is no mere crea- |
on of fancy or rumor; she is fact, h
! unqualified fact, and an established II
ct. And facts, you know, are stub
Urn things!" CT
"Of course" Mrs. Maynard resumed, W
the same cold, constrained tone, Of
you have taken the precaution of sat nj
tying yourself with indisputable el
oofs of her identity, before accepting NJ
# as the heiress?" M
sob, most assuredly, l have taken 81
cry precaution of that nature. With III
the last thirty-six hours the papers m
at establish her identity have all ga
en- in my possession" a.
DO you know where she is at the
esent timeP'' M
Il think 1 may confidently assert M
at I do" He smiled as he spoke, Ii
king keenly at Mrs. Maynard, who, oV
viewer, was unconscious of the I'M
tnce mi
Have you brought those papers with ne
j, Mr.. North-thc documentary evil un
CA