Mower County transcript., 1893-07-12


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 Ia
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.
II fear that I am interrupting an
agreeable tete-artete, Mrs. Maynard"
he said stifay, ''but I shall ask your in
diligence long enough to communicate
to you the results of my recent trip to
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. II
cannot be indifferent to a communica-
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 I
have in mind," returned North, with an
! involuntary glance toward Miss Hilary.
It 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
ton of the mystery. Indeed" she added,
in a significant tone, turning toward
North with cold inquiry, lit is possible
that your forthcoming revelations will
prove to have deeper personal interest
for Miss Hilary than for myself. How
is this, Mr.. North?''
North looked at her sharply for mo-
ment, while family perceptible shade
of amusement blended with the grave,
annoyed expression on his face; then he
said, with furtive satire:
| "Your discernment astonishes me,
Mrs. Maynard! But indeed, I had no
intention of excluding Miss Hilary from
this interview. I have every reason to
believe that she will find the story Of
Annie Dupont interesting, and that she
will rejoice as earnestly at the good
fortune of that young lady as I do my
self, or as you will, Mrs. Maynard, af-
ter time"
''You are quite convinced then, Mr..
Nocth,'' said Mrs. Maynard, as she
trifled nervously with her dainty lace
handkerchief without looking at North,
shat there is such person as Annie
Dupont, and that she is truly Mrs. Dun
kinks niece?'
IL am quite convinced of it, Mrs.
Maynard. just as sure as I am that
you are in this room; just as sure as
am of my own presence here; just as
sure as am of any other established
verify. Annie Dupont is no mere crea-
ton of fancy or rumor; she is fact,
|
fact. And facts, you know, are stub
born things!'
''Of course" Mrs. Maynard resumed
In the same cold, constrained too,
"you have taken the precaution oIsat-
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 time?''
II think may confidently assert
that I do" He smiled as he spoke,
looking keenly at Mrs. Maynard, who,
however, was unconscious Of the
glance. .<,,
'Have you brought those papers with
you, Mr.. North-the documentary evi-
dence Of which you spoke?'
II have not brought them with me.
They are not now in my possession"
Indeed! May inquire where they
are?'' .=35&:@:x. IS r''@ &@l,
'They are probably now in the hands
Of Mrs. Dunkirlk's attorneys and execu-
tors, Messrs- Hunter and Ketchum, of
! New York. = %t@. Ea< - ,&&s's.. :
I Hunter and Ketchum?'' She repeated
the words involuntarily. She was for
the moment startled out of her cold
composure; she looked up at him with
perplexed speculation. FL. - 3
''1t's a perfectly regular proceeding,
Mrs. Maynard, as you will presently
understand, added North, answering
the mute inquiry in her glance. 'sBut
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.