Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-23

'She wouldn't come without her mother. :"
 ''Then bring her mother along with you This is serious matter, and it doesn't do to be squeamish. ''
 Then do it yourself" said angrily.
 TT" said he, taken aback "No. don't know Miss Bellin. You are the proper person. Besides it's better that she should know the truth, even at the cost of a shock to her delicacy, than be tied to brute like Felix, as she cer- tainly will be
 Not if Rose can help il"
 "She can't help it if she doesn't know. And the only way to spoil the game of Felix is to bring the two wom- en face to face. Their mutual jealousy will do the rest, and instead of going to the altar Felix Briarfield will find himself bound for the scaffold !"
 True enough. Well. I'll try, Mer- rick. but it's job I don't like
 He laughed at my scruples and tried to show me that I was really doing Olivia q serNi ice in being so plain spo- ken, but in spite of all his arguments departed from his house in low spirits I did not relish the idea of interviewing Olivia on so delicate n subject, yet I saw it was imperative and therefore made up my mind to carry through the business at whatever cost of personal inconvenience to myself. That is the worst of being an amateur detective. Ones feelings are not under sufficient control.
 The next day l called at Swansea square and sent up my card to Olivia. As it so happened. her mother had gone down to Birmingham with Felix, and she remained at home on the plea of q headache. She sent down n message to the effect that she was unwell and asked me to excuse her, but l scribbled q few lines on my card asking particu- larlv to see her. This time the servant returned with the information that Miss Bellin wuuld see me for n few minutes, and l was shown into the drawing room. felt nervous, but, determined to go through with the matter managed to screw up my courage. It was most unpleasant task, but very necessary if wanted to attain my object
 When Miss Bcllin entered, could not suppress start, go changed was she in outward appearance. As said be- fore, she was tall, well developed and very beautiful woman, but now she had grown thin, and her face wore an anx- ious expression. I could not help think ing that she knew something about the tragedy at the lone inn, as could con- lecture no other reason for her ill health and manifest discOmpOsure. She came forward, with nervous smile, and greeted me in low voice.
 My mother and Mir. Briarfield have gone to Hurlingham, she said, sitting | down on q lounge near which my chair was placed.
 II am not sorry for that, I answer ed gravcly. ''as 1 wish to see you alone.
 "What is the matter, Mir Denham? Havo you anything very terrible to tell | me-"
 II think it is terrible" About Francis:" she demanded anx- iously.
 "Ycs. About Francis Surely you are not going to begin again about that foolish matter you spoke of at Marshminstcr. '
 "No. It is not about that" Olivia passed her handkerchief across her lips and gave sigh of relief. The expression of her face was so strange that I was more than ever convinced she suspected the truth.
 ''I am glad you have given over that mad idea about Francis being Felix, " sh" said at length. Il cannot conceive what made you take up so strange be- | lief. Felix is in Paris. v
 ''I know that, Miss Bellin. saw him there.
 This l said iu the hope of startling 1 her, but she did not move q muscle of her face. Either she was keeping well in hand or was cogniZant of the fact that Felix had gone to Paris for the purpose of deceiving mo. If so, she must have known he was not Francis, and also that my story of the lone inn trag- l edy was true. It was on my tongue to ask her if shc was aware of the terrible truth. but on reflection I judged it best ! to let events evolve themselves. Fate could manage these things better than a mere mortal.
 II knew you would see him there, y she said coltly, but l cannot conceive why you should desire to convince your self that l spoke truly"
 Because. Miss Bcllin, believe that tho man wlO calls himself Francis is really Felix.
 "Thc same old story" she said i'm patiently. You arc mad. If you saw Felix in Paris. you must be convinced that you are making q mistake"
 "Well, Miss Bcllin. we will waive that point for tho present. l will call the man to whom you are engaged | Francis.
 "As he is. she interpolated imperi ously. let tn, remark pass and went on with my speech. You will no doubt think nc highly iInpcrtincnt, but wish to warn you against the 50 called Francis Driarfiuld. "
 What do you mean, sir:'
 Simply this: While at the Fen inr I was waited on hy n woman who call ed herself Rose Strcnt. That woman i: now in town acting at the Frivolity the ater under the name of Rose Gernon. "
 And what have I to do with such [ creature?" she asked in a trembling voice.
 Nothing. but your lover has every thing to do with her. "
 "Mr. Denhamr'
 We were both on our feet by thil time. and she was looking ut me witl wrathful eyes Tho crisis l so dreaded had como, but it was now too late to ro treat, and there was no help for it bu to go on.
 "Be angry with me if you like. Mis- Bellin," said as soon as I was able "but it is in your own interest speak. ,
 My own intercst''
 "Ycs. This woman Rose Gernon i in love with Francis B''-
 No, no!' she murmured, her fac growing white. ''YOu are making mistakeI''
 ''It is true." said doggedly, ''sh