Morris tribune., 1896-05-20

"Well. that made me a little angry.
and ] told her that if she wanted tc
charge me with conspiracy she had bet
ter set about it at once, and the sooner
the better. for I knew who would ge,
the worst of it. As for Mr.. Valentine,
he didn't lose his temper, but he said
very quietly, I am not murderer, ma
dam, land you will only waste your time
in trying to prove me such. But can
assure you that. if | am not your hus-
band-and certainly am not-no such
person exists in the world. Neither can
you sustain the charge that am aiming
either in combination with Mr.. Clifton
or alone-to keep you out of this prop
erty. | told him a week ago, before you
arrived in Mexico, that | would have
nothing to do with it, and to that deter
mination l shall adhere. The utmost you
can attempt to do is to show that am
not Mr.. Valentine, and that you are well
come to attempt. But warn you before
hand that all the evidence is on my side,
and that you will fail. | advise you to
go back whence you came, and to give
up any idea of ever becoming great
English lady. Meanwhile, | have the
honor to wish you good morningr
''He bowed to her as polite and cool
as fyou please, and walked out of the
patio and l followed him. What in the
name of wonder does all this meanT
asked him.
Really. Mr.. Clifton, said he, I can
give you no explanation. You have
heard the whole conversation, and you
must draw your own conclusions from
it, as do mine. If you believe that that
lady is the wife, or the widow, of the
Mr.. Valentine who has inherited the es-
tate, you are at liberty to act in accord
ance with your conviction. The most
difficult thing will probably be to make
other people believe as you do
That's all right, Mr.. Valentine. said
I, but there is one thing you can tell
me. You said just now that you had
heard speak of that lady before, and the
inference was that what you had heard
was not to her credit. Now what did
you mean by that?
well. Mr.. Clifton, said he, perhaps
I may have heard of her before, or per-
haps | may be mistaken in thinking l
had; but don't see why the inference
to be drawn unnecessarily abad one. Atall
evnets, she has never, done me any harm,
and don't believe she ever will, or can:
and have no present intention of harm
ing her, either by word or deed AS |
said before, you must follow your own
Judgment: as for me, what have said |
stick to, and nothing will change me.
By that time we had got to the door of
the office of the secretary of the interior,
who was friend of his, and he went in
and left me in the street. to do my own
thinking"
"Well, and what was the upshot of it
all?' inquired Mr.. Stapleton
ut isn't ended yet," Mr.. Clifton re-
piled; "but from. facts that subsequently,
came to my knowledge | came to the
conclusion that might learn something
by coming on to New York
"Now that think of it, it's growing
little chilly. too" rejoined Mr.. Stapleton,
land as the governor of South Carolina
once remarked to the governor of North
Carolina, its long time between
drinks have some acquaintance with
the head steward On board this boat: sup
pose we go down stairs?'
Apparently Mr.. Clifton accepted this
suggestion; for when,s few minutes
later, the bearded gentleman pushed
open his blind. the two camp stools were
uooonf