Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-06-17

II 81
tons presumed assassin.
| But these recollections no longer de-
layed him; the moment for action had
arrived lie knew that since the trae-
edy the boudoir had been dismantled
and Stunned; the servants believed IL To
he haunted by the assassin's ghost.
| With the aid of the passion vine
The ingress was easy. The interior win
dow was open; the rustic of dark
4 leaves on the bare floor as he entered
and the whirr of a frightened bird by
his ear told the story of it's desolation
and the source of the strange noises
that had been heard there.
The door leading TO the corridor was
lightly bolted, merely to keep it from
rattling in the wind. Slipping the bolt
with the blade of his pocketknife. he
peered into the dark passage The
| hight streaming under the door To the
left and the sound of voices convinced
him that his conjecture was right and
the meeting was gathered on the broad
balconies around the patio.
lie knew that narrow gallery, faced
with Venetian blinds TO exclude the sun.
looked down upon them. He managed
TO gain it without discovery; luckily
the blinds were still down. Between
their Stats, himself invisible. he could
hear and see everything that occurred.
Yet even at that supreme moment the
| first thing that struck him was the al
most ludicrous contrast between the ap-
Pearnnce of the meeting and it's tire
mendous object.
Whether he was influenced by any
| previous boyish conception of n cloudy
and gloomy conspiracy, he did not
know, but he was for an instant almost
disconnected by the apparent levity
and festivity of the conclave. Ocean
ters and glasses stood on small tables
before them; nearly all were drinking
and smoking.
They comprised - or 20 men. some
whose faces were familiar to him else
where as southern politicians: n few.
he was shocked TO see, were well-llnown
northern democrats.
Occupying characteristically cen
trail position was the famous Col. Star
bottle, of Virginia. Jaunty and youth
full looking in his mask-like, beardless
face, expressive and dignified in his
middle-aged port and carriage, he
alone retained something of the i'm
portance-albeit slightly theatrical and
affected-of the occasion.
Clarence, in his first hurried glance.
had not observed his wife, and for mo-
ment had felt relieved.
But as Col. Starbottle arose at that
moment, and with a studiouslv chival-
rous and courtly manner turned to his
right, he saw that she was sitting at
the further end of the balcony, and
that man whom he recognized as
Capt. Pinckney was standing beside
her.
The blood quickly frightened around
his heart, but left him cold and observ-
ant.
1t was seldom, indeed, remarked Col.
Starbottle, placing his fat white fin
gers in the frill of his shirt front. that
q movement like this was graced with
the actual presence of n lofty, inspir-
ing yet delicate spirit-a Boadicca-
indeed, he might say Joan of Arc
Ii the person of their very charming
hostess, Mrs. Brant.
Not only were they favored bv her
social and hospitabIe ministration. but
hy her active and enthusiastic coopera-
ton in the glorious work they had in
hand. 1t was through her correspon-
cnce and earnest advocacy that they
were to be favored tonight with the
aid and counsel of one of the most dis
tinguished and powerful men in the
southern district of California. Judge
n
He had not the honor of that gentle
mans personal acquaintance; he be-
lieved he was not far from wrong in
saying that this was also the misfor-
tune of every gentleman present. but
the name itself was q toHerof strength.
He would go further and say that Mrs.
Brant herself was personally unac-
1uaintcd with him, but that il was
through the fcrvor, poetry, grace and
| genius of her correspondence with that
! gentleman that they were to have the
honor of his presence that very even
ing. IL was understood that advices
had been received of his departure. and
hat he might he expected at Robes
| at any moment
But what proof have We of Judge
3eeswinger's soundness?" said n lazy
southern voice at the conclusion of
/ Col. Starbottle's periods Nobody
here seems TO know him by sight; is
IL not risky 10 admit n man to our
meeting whom we are unable TO iden-
tify?"
Il reckon nobody but a fool or some
I Trying mudsill OF "a Yankee would trust
his skin here returned another. and
if he did we'd know what to do with
him"
But Clarcnce's attention was rivcted
ON his wife, and the significant speech
passed him as UNDECIDED as had the
coloneFs rhetoric She was looking
very handsome and slightly flushed
with proud light in her eyes that ne
lad never seen before.
Absorbed in the discussion. she
seemed 20 be paying little attention 10
Capt. Pinckney, as she rose suddenly
90 her feet.
Judge Beeswingcr will be attended
here by Mr.. MacNiel Of the Fair Plains
hotel, who will vouch for him and i'm
trCduce him" she said in a clear voice
which rang with an imperiousness that
clarence well remembered The Judge
was to arrive by the coach from Mar
tinez 20 Fair Plains, and is due now"