Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-03-26
CHAPTER XIV.

During the time spent by Mr.. Barnes
in the south his spies in New York dis
covered little or nothing against the
persons whom they had been charged to
watch. Indeed from the standpoint Of
detective the actions of all had been
most uninteresting. The usual round Of
social affairs. the customary number or
theater or opera parties, the regular aft
ernoon teas-in fact, the ordinary routine
life Of the man or woman Of fashion
was all that could be observed. Yet OF
course these weeks did not pass without
any occurrence Of note. The chief one
perhaps was the naming of the day
upon which the wedding Of Mr.. Mitchell
and Miss Remsen was to occur. This
was May 8, the very day upon which
Mr.. Barnes would reach New York with
Mr.. Neuilly.
Thus fate seemed huTying on a eli
max which was TO occur on the wedding
day. In New Orleans a detective was
seeking evidence upon which be hoped
to convict a man Of the heinous crime Of
murder, while in New York beautiful
woman was bestowing her faith upon
this same man, and, with the assistance
Of many fingers, preparing to bedeck
herself in bridal finery for his delecta-
ton. Meanwhile the man himself acted
most unooncernedly. He seemed to con-
slider himself beyond the risk of danger,
and he accepted his happiness as does
one who had honorably earned it.
Of much interest to us, in the light
Of fast approaching events, was the Gu
rious conduct of Dora Remsen during
this period 1t will be remembered that
Mr.. Randolph had lost an opportunity
of declaring himself, and that he warn
ed the young lady against Mr.. Thauret
as one not to be trusted This kind OF
advice, it is to be presumed, is offered
by the one giving it, with some idea,
however distant, that it may be accept
ed Yet the histories of many lives
would show that cnly a small percent
age of similar advice has ever been re-
ceived with acquiescence. Indeed, it
might also be said that many persons
have been hurried into each others
arms by the interference of wiseacres,
when perhaps, if left to themselves,
they would have drifted apart. At least
so it seemed in this case.
Mr.. Thauret had become not only q
constant visitor at the house Of the
Remsens, but he seemed welcome
one He certainly was most entertain
ing man, and his manners utterly unap-
proachable. He had travelled, and not
only had seen the world, but had OBJ
served it, which is another thing. The
result of this was that he had a fund of
narrative always at his disposal, and his
conversation was SO attractive that he
easily monopolized the attention OF
coterie at any social gathering. Mr..
Randolph noted with growing uneasi-
ness that Dora was always one Of the
group who listened to these tales What
disturbed him most was that after the
greatest amount of time spent and vast
ed in seeking some fragrant defect in
the man character he was at last COM
PEELED to acknowledge to himself that
he had nothing against Mr.. Thauret
except a prejudice. But that prejudice
was as great if not greater than ever.
He determined at length to speak to Mr..
Mitchell about it, and did $50 one after
noon when the rooms wore crowded,
his rival being as usual wcenter Of an
attentive group.
Mitchell, " he began, chow the deuce
did that fellow Thauret get into this
familyY
Dora met him somewhere, l believe
Why?"
why? Can you ask thatf"
"Can I? Why, certainly can. did
ask you Whyi"
IT declare, Mitchell, you are either as
blind as bat or else you have eyes on
ly for Miss Emily. Don't you see the
danger that the younger sister is in, as
sociating with that man?"
"Well. now, Randolph, to be candid,
I must admit I do not see the danger
What is it?"
"Why. suppose-suppose she fell in
love with him? Suppose she married
him -
"Well, what them"
"What then? You would provoke
saint. You talk as coolly about that
child's throwing herself away on IA
nobody-as though we were discussing
shot at billiards.
Randolph, my friend, let me give
you a bit of advice When a man wish
es to marry q girl, there are two i'm
portant rules which he must observe,
and both of them I believe you have
neglected "
"What do you meant"
Before I explain let me ask you a
question. Am 1 right in supposing that
you wish to marry Dora yourself?"
"Well, that is rather pointed. How
ever, will admit the truth. I would
be happy to have her love"
Every we'll Twill tell you those two
rules. The first is, Never speak i'll of
your rival The second is, Don't be
too late asking for the young lady. :"
Randolph looked at Mr.. Mitchell a
moment intently, then offered his hand,
which was grasped warmly. He said
simply, II thank you,' and walked
over to the group where Dora was. Aft
er awhile, taking advantage Of an op-
perfume lull, he leaned over her and said
in an undertone:
MAY have few words of conver-
sation with your"
She looked up at him, evidently sur
prised at his tone, and asked:
us it Important
"Very," he replied succinctly, and
excusing herself to tho company. she
permitted him to lead her into the next
room, where she sat beside him on the
sofa, to which he invited her with a
motion. After brief silence, during
which each thought intently, he began ::
Miss Dora, wish you to listen to
me, if you please, to the end. / think
you know that love you" He paused
| Just moment, while she trembled
slightly, blushed, and dropped her head.
He continued: II have never told you
this before in words, l know, but you
are a woman and must have read my
heart long ago You are all so clever at
that sort of thing. l am only "A man,
and have not been able to read yours
at all / really do not know whether
| you care for me or not. Once l thought
that you did, but Of late-but no mat
ter. l will not 90 into that In brief,
/ then, | have only to say that it would
make me supremely happy to know that
you would some day be my wife. In ex-
change / offer you a lifelong devotion.
| And uow--I think-that is all have
! to say. Dora-little sweetheart--do
you, could you trust yourself to me?''
He had gently taken her hand while
he spoke, and the fact that she had nei-
thor resisted nor withdrawn it had en-