The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-21
a puzzled look. why, no one lives there

FRANCIS Brlarfleld at the same place.
Francis was not out Of the house last
night, declared Olivia decisively.
"Quite true," he replied. 81 went to
bed early with a bad headache.
"It was not you met at the inn last
night, but your brother Francis. "
"How can you persist in so foolish
story" said Olivia angrily. "This is
Francis, and Felix is in Paris. You
could not have met either of them at
the Fen inn last night, and indeed |
can't believe that you slept there at all. "
81 did, Miss Bellin, and there met
Francis"
'If you did, where is he now? Why
not clear up the mystery by bringing
him here with you?"
because he is dead"
"Deadv" she echoed, catching the
arm Of Francis. "Dead! Whoi is dead?"
"Francis Briarfeld."
"He is mad, she said to Felix in a
low tone, her face white with fear.
Upon my word, am beginning to
think SO myself" l said, losing my
temper, "but / declare on my oath that
l Ispeak the truth There is only one way
of solving the riddle. Come out with
me to the Fen inn and look on the face
of the dead man | say is Francis Briar.
field. A single glance will give the lie
to the assertion Of this man who pre-
tends to be your loverP'
Felix looked at Olivia, she at him.
1t seemed to me that they grew a shade
paler. / wondered whether any guilty
bond existed between them, as certain
ly they seemed to understand one an
other very well. Olivia appeared anx-
ious to protect Felix from harm. Either
she really believed him to be Francis or
had taken her heart from one brother
and given it to the other. 1t was she
who spoke first and throughout the in
terview the woman played more dar-
ing game than did the man. Her atti-
tude puzzled Inc, ana for the moment |
was quite in the dark as to what were
her real thoughts regarding my story
and that Of the pseudo Francis
1--WE cannot go tonight" she said,
with some hesitation, but tomorrow
morning, if you like, we will ride out to
the inn"
l glanced at my watch.
at is now O'clock" said I, "and
will be light up to 8 Or thereabout
There is plenty Of time for us to ride to
the Fen inn, and 1 think it advisable
to do so at once"
"Why not tomorrow morning." OBJ
jected Felix.
Great heavens, Briarfield, have you
no natural affection? Don't l tell you
that your brother is lying dead there;
Can't you understand the necessity of
attending to so serious matter without
delay? If you have no affection, you
might at least have decency."
Il decline to believe that my brother
is dead, " said Briarfeld coolly. "That
letter shown to you by Olivia proves
that he was in Paris yesterday. He
could not have come over so quickly,
and besides would have no reason to 90
to the Fen inn.
"Of course if you insist upon assum-
ing your brothers name can say moth
ing, but l know the truth and had it
from the lips of Francis.
"What do you mean?" asked Olivia.
81 mean that Francis returned from
Chile few days ago and went to the
Fen inn by appointment in order to hear
the explanation Of Pix"
"What explanation?"
'"The reason of Felix passing himself
off as Francis"
"You are utterly mistaken, Mr.. Den.
ham. swear that this is Francis, the
man to whom am engaged.
"Can you wish for stronger proof?"
asked Felix, with the marked intention
of insulting me.
paid no attention to his sneer, but
turned round to Miss Bellin and asked
" pNL LIlilChs luCSt4Ol'
"Where is the pearl ring you gave
Francis, Miss Ballin?"
'"The pearl ring?" she said, much ag.
itated. eyes, l did give Francis a pearl
ring, but he lost it. Did you not lose it,
Francis?" she added, turning toward
her lover;
'Two months ago."
well, Miss Bellin," said I deliber.
ately, 'if you come out with me to the
Fen inn, l will show you the pearl ring
on the finger of the dead man"
1T cannot be-it is impossible, " she
murmured, clasping her hands together
in great distress, II am utterly bewil.
dered by your talk. Francis returned
from Chile three months ago, and my
mother consented to our engagement. u
1T was not Francis who returned, y
asserted doggedly, "but Felix-Felix,
who pretends to be in Paris.
But this letterT
"Bahl That was written here by Bri
arfield and forwarded to a friend il
Paris, to be posted back to you"
"Liar!' cried Felix, dashing forward
with clinched fists. "If you don't re
tract that statement, PIP
"For PHYS sake, be quiet, entreatet
Olivia, throwing herself between us
"Do not bring my mother here Fran
els, you do not know the harm you ar,
doing Mr.. Denham," she added, turn
ing to me as he suddenly stepped back
edo you say this gentleman is Felix?"
81 do most decidedly"
81 tell you, sir, it is not so. This i
my afiianced lover, Francis. Great heav
ems, could woman make mistake il
SO serious matter"
81 believe the resemblance betweel
the brothers would deceive any one. "
"Let us settle the question by goinI
to the Fen inn," said Felix sharply
'T'll wager that there we find neithe
landlord nor any one"
"You don't believe me?" said
quickly.
II do not, sir. I believe you hav
dreamed all this rubbish. / am here-I