Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-12-11
Then do |, yourself. said angril,


en- face 10 face Their mutual Jealousy
will do the rest. and instead of going
o. the altar Felix Briarield will find
himself bound for the scaffold."
True enough Well. I'll try. Mer.
rick. hut It's n job I don't like
He laughed at my scruples and tried
~ show me that | was really doing
Olivia n services I'm leing 10 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 ~ delicate . subject. yet ]
saw II was imperative and therefore
made up my mind 20 carry through the
business at whatever cost II personal
Inconvenience to myself That Il the
worst of being an amateur detective
Ones feelings are not under sufficient
control
Tho next day called at Swansea
square and sent up my card 10 Olivia
A. IL so happened. her mother had gune
down to IIurlingham with Felix. and
she remained at home ON the plea Of q
headache She sent down message 20
the effect that she was unwell and
asked me To excuse her. hut ! scribhlcd
n few lines on my carl asking particu.
larly % see her. This time the servant
returned with the information that Mis-
Bcllin would $50 me for few minutes,
and was shown into the drawing
rom. felt nervous. but. determined to
~ through with the matter. managcd 90
screw up my courage IL was q most
unpleasant task. but very necessary " j
wanted 10 attain my object
When Mis- Bellin entered. ! could
not suppress start, - changed was she
In outward appearance. A. ! said bc-
forr, she was tall. well DEVELOPED and
very l-autiful woman. but now she hal
grown thin. and her face wore an anx'
ious expression I could not help think.
ing that she knew something about the
tragedy NJ the lone inn. n could con-
lecture no other reason for her III health
aud manifest discompsure She came
forward. with nervous smile. and
greeted me in q low VOICE
my mother and Mr.. Briarhold have
gone to lluTlingham. - she said, sitting
down on n lounge near which my chair
was placcd.
II am not sorry for that" I answer.
81 gravely. ''as I wish 10 see You
alone" "
What Is tho matter. Mr.. Dcnhami
Have YOU anything very terrible to tell
mcl'
II think II l. terrible"
"AbJut Franci.i" shc demanded an,.
iously.
"YcS About Francis.
surely YOU are not going to begin
again about that foolish matter you
spoke ~ at Marshminstcr. +"
"No 10 is not about that. "
Olivia passed her handkerchief across
her liI~ and gave sigh % relief The
expression of her face was - strange
that was morc than ever convinced shc
suspected tho truth
II am glad you have given over that
nal idea about Francis being Felix.
she aid at length II cannot ooncciyc
what made you take up ~ strange bc'
lief Felix l. In Paris ="
II know that. Miss Bcllin ! sw
him there"
This aid In the hope of startling
her. but she did not move u muscle Of
her face Either she was keeping we'll
In hand or was cogni,ant of the fact
that Felix hal gone 90 Paris for the
purpose ~ dcc.iying mc II ~, she must
have known he was not Francis. and
also that my story Il the lone inn trag'
ely was true II was on my tongue 10
ask her IL she was aware ~ th. terrible
truth. butSn reflection Judged IL bsst
o. let events evolve themselves Fate
could manage these things better than
mere mortal
II knew yOu would see him there"
she said coldly. but cannot conceive
why you should desire 10 convince your
self that spoke truly"
because, Miss Dollin. I believe that
the man who calls himself Francis Is
rally Felix
'"rhe same old story" she said i'm.
patiently. "You are mad IL yOu saw
Felix In Paris, you must be convinced
that you are making mistake"
"well. Miss Bellin. We will waive
that point for the present Twill call
tho man to whom you arc engaged
Francis
"As ho is." she interpolatcd imperi.
ously. I let the remark pass and went
on with my spsch. "You will no doubt
think me highly impertinent. but ]
wish to warn you against the 10 called
Francis Briarfeld.
"what do you mean, siri''
"Simply this: While at the Fen inn
I was waitei On by woman who call
"a herself Rose Strent That woman Il
now In town acting at the frivolity tho
ater under the maine of Ro~e Gernon.
"And what have ! 10 do with such
creaturei" she asked In u trembling
voice
Nothing. but your lover has every
thing 10 do with her"
"Mr. Dcnhami"
We were both ON our feet by this
time. and she was looking at me with
wrathful eyes Tho crisis ] 80 dreaded
hal come. but IL was now too late TO re-
treat. and there was no help for 1t but
10 90 on
"Be angry with me II you like, Miss
Bellin." said "a soon As was able.
"but II IL In your own interest ] speak "
"My own interstr'
Eyes This woman Rose Gernon In
In love with Francis D.
"No, nov' she murmured. her face
growing white "You are making .
niistakeV"
"It IL true" I said doegcdly. "shc
was with him ut his chambers ycstcr'
day evening at 8 o'clock Sho will 10
hero tomorrow evening at the same
time learned that fact today"
"Did you come here TO insult me,
sir!" asked Olivia In voice trcmuious
with fage
II came here 10 do you service. but
IL you look upon Il In thu light OF an
insult may a. well take my leave"
"stop. sir!" she said. placing herself
before me- "You shall not leave the
room till am convinced Of the truth OF
your statement Why should Francis
meet Rose Gernonf'
"why should Rose Gernon play tho
part Of q waiting maid at tho Fen innF
! retorted
"How can ] telli"
ITO further the schemes Of the man
who Is TO marry you, Miss Bellin She