Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-03-14
CHAPTER XXI.
WHAT DORA DISCOVERED.

WHAT DORA DISCOVERED.
When Dora took leave of Allen she
returned TO the Red House with the
firm conviction that, to save the doctor,
she would be obliged to marry Joad.
IN the face Of this Old mans evidence,
she did not see how Allen could defend
himself. 1t was true that ne could pro-
duce the letters of Mr.. Edermont, CIV
ing him a midnight invitation 10 his
study; but such production would not
mend matters 1t would only sheW
that he had been present at the very
hour OF the murder, and would confirm
the evidence of JCad. Once that was
proved, what plea could he put forward
to prove his innocence? None. A
quarrel might have taken place on the
subject of their previous conversation,
and Allen might have killed Edermont
in a fit of rage. That was the view,
Dora truly believed, which the Judge
and Jury would take OF the matter.
And on the fact of it, what view could
be more reasonable?
Ii was no use bringing Lady Burville
into the question for her evidence
could throw no light on the subject.
When she left the house EdermOnt was
alive. when Scott arrived the old man
was dead, and there was nothing to
show that anyone had been in the
study between Lady Burviile's de-
parture and DR.. SCOTS arrival. Medi-
cal evidence could prove that Lady
Burville was too feeble a woman to
strike such a blow; Of too nervous a
character to carry out so brutal a
crime. No; if Lady Buryille came into
court. il would be TO save herself and to
condemn Allen Under these circum-
stances. it only remained to hush the
matter up by granting JOad's wish.
Dora hated the man. but for the sake
of Allen she decided to marry
him. Yet, as she still had few days
grace before giving him his answer,
she resolved to say nothing of his reso-
luton at present 1t might be that IN
the interval the real criminal might be
discovered.
All that night Dora tossed and tossed
on her bed. counting sleep in vain.
She was like a rat in trap, running
round and round in the endeayors TO
escape. She would have done any
thing rather than consent to this mar
riage with Joad; but unless some mir
acle interviewed she saw no chance of
escaping the ceremony. To be sad
died with such a husband. to live in
constant companionship with such
satyr. The poor girl wept bitterly at
the very thought. What would she feel
when Joad demanded payment Of the
price of his silence?
Towards morning she fell into an
uneasy slumber, and awOke more de-
spondent than ever. 1t was with a list
less air that she descended to breakfast,
and only with a strong effort could she
force herself to eat Meg Canoe, who
brought in the meal, informed her Mr..
Joad was already in the library, en-
crossed in his daily occupation.
He come here afOre nine said Meg,
who was a large, stupid country woman,
with more muscle than brains; 1T
wasn't so when master lived, was 1t,
Miss Dora? ?"
mo. But I don't suppose it matters
much now when Mr.. JOad comes, Meg.
Il dunno bout that said the SER
want. putting her large hands on her
hips: "it takes long to clean up book
shop, it do. l rarely get it done afore
nine. l declare, miss, when MI Joad
come this morning. / couldn't believe
twas so late Thought l, clocks gone
wrong again.
What clock?" asked Dora remem-
bering the strange remark made by Pal
liant.
"I.or. miss. how sharp you speak. -
said Meg. rather startled by the abrupt
ness of the question. Why, clock in
hall. for sure
WAS it ever wrong, Meg?
"A whole hour. miss. Though how
If could have lost hour in night l dunno.
But if was ten when l look at 1t in
morning. while kitchen clock was nine.
Too fast bv hour, Miss Dora.
"On what night was it wrOng?' asked
Dora, eagerly feeling that she was on
the verge of discovery.
why. miss, it went wrong on night
master had head Dashed. Not as
wonder. miss. for my aunt had husband
as died. and clock-her clock, miss
struck thirteen. Seems as clock Knows
Of deaths and funerals concluded Meg
reAectively. ........ ~. an
.Nas the clock in the hall wrong oy an
hour when you saw if in the morning al
Ter The crime had been committed:
For sure. Miss Dora. But Tor bless YOU.
miss. it don't matter. ies' put it right by
kitchen clock. as has never lost a minute
since I came here and that's six years.
miss"
,yvbv did YOU not mention that the clock
was wrong when you save your cyl
dence?' 90, .-
Meg stared at her mistress. Il never
thought; miss" she said graveiy; ana L
wasn't asked about clock 1t didn mat
ter, hope?' ... .,.,...
No % replied Dora carslessly. 1T didn'
matter. You need say nothing about 1t TO
Mr. load, or indeed TO anyone.
1T aren't much of chat at any time
miss " cried Meg losing her head; and as
for Mr.. Joad. I'd as lief speak to black
bsetle, won't say naught, bless you' no.
miss
VERY well. Mes. You can clear away.
This Meg dId with considerable clatter
and clamor. while Dora leCt The room and
without putting on 81 hat walked slowly
across the lawn i'm the d5wy freshness Of
the morning on reaching the beehive
chair under the cedar. which was Josd S
favorite outdoor study. the girl sat down
and looked con,emplatively at the scene
brforz her. A space of sunlit lawn. wiki
> rirdle of flaming rhododendrons firing
ing il on the right; tall poplars. musical
with birds. bordering the ivy-drapsd wall;