The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-21
CHAPTER IY.

CHAPTER ".
There was no doubt that Felix in
tended to continue passing himself off
as Francis. For how long | was uncer-
tain; perhaps for the rest Of his natural
life or until he made Olivia his wife.
In this latter event he could reveal the
fraud with impunity and revert to his
own identity. could not help thinking
that he had been Informed beforehand
Of the death of his brother, else he would
not have dared to keep up his impoGture
with a possible revelation SO Hear at
hand. Even assuming such ignorance, /
had now told him Of the death myself and
SO strengthened his position, | regret
ted that | had not been more cautious.
was curious to see whom he would
bring forward as witness to his iden-
tity. Scarcely Olivia, as if she once had
suspicion Of the truth she would never
rest until all was cleared up to her salts
faction hardly thought Felix would
run such risk, the more so as his story
Of losing the pearl ring could not stand
against my assertion that it was on the
finger Of the dead man. II he still per
sisted in declaring himself to be Fran
els, / determined that he should ride
with mo to the Fen inn and there see
the corpse Of the man whose name he
had so shamelessly assumed. That
would surely settle the matter
Felix was bolder than ! gave him
credit for, as his witness proved to be
none other than Olivia Bellin. She en-
tered the room with assumed lightness,
but her face was anxious, and she glanc-
ed every now and then at Felix as
though to seek his aid and countenance
He, as was natural, wore haggard eX-
preston. His nerves were tensioned up
to the highest pitch, a matter Of small
wonderment, seeing that his life's hap
piness depended upon this interview.
"What is this strange story you bring
Mr.. Denham?" asked Olivia, greeting
me coldly. In our best days we were
never overfriendly.
"Has not Mr. Briarfold told you?"
II have not had the time" inter-
posed Felix quickly. Beyond few
hints of the truth she knows nothing. "
mot even that you are Felix Briar-
feld?''
Felix" repeated Miss Bellin in sur
prise. "But you are making a mistake,
Mr.. Denham. This is Francis.
$50 he says"
"You see, Olivia" said Briarfeld,
addressing Miss Bellin, "Denham in
sists upon taking me for my brother Fe-
liz"
"How absurd! l assure you, Mr.
Denham, that Felix is in Paris. l re-
ceived letter from him only this MORN
ing"
impossible, " said l, taken aback by
the authority of her tone.
1T is quite true, she continued hm-
riedly. Excuse me for moment, and
/ shall fetch the letter. You must be-
lieve the evidence Of your own eyes. "
When she left the room, Felix turned
toward me with CLEAN of triumph in
his eyes.
'Are you convinced?" he asked mock
ingly.
"No. l am puzzled"
SIN what way?"
"To think how you managed to gel
that letter sent on from Paris without
being there yourself. "
Against stupidity the gods them
selves fight in vain, "quoth Felix, shrug
ging his shoulders. II assure you that
my brother Felix is in Paris Miss Bel
lin is about to produce a letter received
from him only this morning, and yet
you insist that am not myself and that
he whom pretend to be is dead. You
are mad"
Here is the letter." said Miss Bel
lin, entering at this moment. "You see
it bears the date of yesterday. He is al
present staying at the Hotel des Etran
gers, Rue de st. Honore, but talks ot
going to Italy"
/ examined the letter closely. 1t was
genuine enough. Of that there was NJ
doubt, as it bore the French and Eng
lish postmarks. l quite believed that il
was written by Felix, but also that il
had been forwarded from Paris by al
emissary of the young man in order t.
keep up the needful deception. Certain
ly Felix had marked talent for in
trigue.
IF Felix Briarfeld is in Paris" sale
l, handing back the letter to Olivia
"who was it l met at the Fen inn las
night?"