The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-09-20

had been rapidly at work during this
little interchange of dialogue between
Allan and Mrs. Maynard, and very
disturbing train of speculations had
been the result.
"Can 1t be possible, Mrs. Maynard
he exclaimed, his countenance a perfect
Kaleidoscope of expressions as he looked
anxiously at her, "that you have mis-
taken my brother for NOR t'
The question, the tone, perhaps some
thing in his eyes as they looked elo-
quently into hers, conveyed whole vol
umes OF enlightenment TO Mrs. Maynard.
The misunderstanding Of the past few
days, which had involved 0llin North
in such serious suspicious, were sudden
ly swept away, and, though there still
remained much to be explained, there
was for the time room for no other
thought In her mind but the triumphant
one of his complete vindication. Her
face was radiant, her voice vibrant with
happiness as she answered: ~, i.. "
'I am fully undeceived now. Mr..
North, though I confess that / have for
the past two weeks believed this gentle
man to be you. see 30 many things,
now, that ought 10 have opened my
eyes to the TRUTH She turned glance
full of wonder and speculation upon
Allan North as she spoke. -
He looked grave and disturbed; he
found It difficult to rally his usual light
ness OF manner, for a vague presenti'
ment had seized him that affairs were
about to take some turn that he had
not foreseen nor calculated upon. Mrs.
Maynard's glance tacitly challenged
him to an explanation, but he was not
yet prepared to take up the gauntlet,
and he was therefore compelled to plead
for delay. .........
IT must throw myself upon your mer'
cy for the present, Mrs. Maynard" he
said gravely. II trust that ! shall be
able TO render satisfactory account Of
myself, but can say nothing more until
/ have had private interview with my
brother. May hope that you will sus-
pend Judgment on my course until am
In q position TO defend it2"
The look Of mystiAcation deepened In
the faces Of his auditors; but, perceiving
perfect acquiescence In Mrs. May.
nard's expression, Ollin forebore utter.
ing the questions that had almost risen
to his lips. Slowly drawing of his
gloves, he looked at his brother for a
moment with a peculiarly close, intent
scrutiny before replying; then he said,
quietly:
$50 far as this matter rests between
ourselves, Allan, 1t can wait, Of course
But now pray tell me, II l may ask.
how did you happen TO come TO X--?"
81 came on professional errand,
Noll. lam here as the authorized rep
resentative Of Messrs. Hunter and
Ketchum, Of New York"
Hunter and Ketchum7 How-why-
are you associated with them, AllanP
In what case, pray?"
"The same in which you are so deep
ly concerned--the Dunldrk will case"
He spoke these last words in q sig
nifcant tone, looking searchingly at his
brother 10 see what effect they would
produce. His expectatinn-was not full
|
guilty consciousness In ollin's face as
he answered; only genuine surprise
and amusement.
.The DunlSirk will case? By Jove,
Allan, that Is coincidence! And SO
we've been ut opposite ends Of this case
all this time? Pray tell me, what par
ticular point have you been at work
upon hereP say, AL, haven't you been
rather accommodating the encmy's
camp? Come, now. old fellow, own upV
"I will tell you fully about that here
after, Noll," said his brother, flushing
little under the laughing accusation.
"oh, very we'll. Since the Dunkirl
will case has been introduced, / have Q
word TO say on that subject which
shall proceed TO say now, rs Allan ut
terly refuses TO tallSl" exclaimed Ollin
turning to Mrs. Maynard with sudder
animation. "of course my brother, be
ing duly informed on that point
through his own connection with thu
case, must have told you about the lat,
awkward developments in regard Il
that will. And right here" he added
quickly, "allow me TO explain why yo'
never heard about II from me. Th'
night before left home, having mad
an unsuccessful attempt TO call upol
you, wrote you, stating briefly hov
matters stood in New York, and advis
ing you of my proposed absence, thougl
not entering into any explanation o
the object of this hastily-projected trip
Now give you my word that solemn
ly believed had mailed that letter
along with several business letters tha
/ wrote ut the same time; but II nov
transpires that ! did nothing Of tn
sort, for last evening on the train
. while making very thorough investi
|. CATION Of my pockets, brought TO ligh
that identical document" holding ou
!. 70 Mrs. Maynard, who mechanically nc
7 cepted II, q letter duly stamped, seale'
a and directed, but not post-marked
!. (which hereby offer you as an evi
4 dence of good faith. And now, TO re
:. turn. have crowded some very salts
factory work into the last two weelt'
Mrs. Maynard, though II has kept m
Z busy day and night. have been fol
!. lowing up clew after clew and siftin
4 all the evidence could get my hand
,. on, and the consequence Is, have ana
!. ly discovered the whole truth in regar
TO that forgery Isn't that q sufficien
= cause for self-congratulation?" ~
4 Allan started perceptibly at thes
v words, rs he exchanged a hashin
xlonca xyith Mra Mavnard 0llin xyn