The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-26
..rben1, why should hs have crossed

"Tbcn, why should he have crossed
the riverl''
"What makes You think that he did
sor'
II do not think; ! know"
"You cannot know unless you saw
him, and that is impossible"
Miss Lewis, there was snow on the
ground, and not only do know from
his footprints that he visited the farm,
but that he actually went to the very
door by which you had re-entered. OF
course cannot know that he went in,
for unfortunately there is no snow with
in, as without"
Virginia was silent, and despite her
strong control of her features it was
evident that she was troubled.
NOW, then" said the lawyer, con-
tinuing, ''the question arises, Why did
Mr.. Marvel visit your house at that
late hour? You say he did not see you.
. Cou!d it be that he sought your uncle,
hoping TO effect a reconciliation? un-
deIstard that tie cIly obstacle to your
union was his opposition, was it not?"
"Thut Mr. Marvel should have sought
my uLc!e at that hour is preposterous.
You say that he did come to the house,
which doubt. but even though he did
not succeed in seeing me, is it not more
probable that it was his object to do
so?''
III so, how is it that he did not sue
ceed?'
~ retired as soon as reached home
and did not hear any one enter after
me. That is why doubt your theory,
for lam light sleeper.
Mr.. Upper now executed bold
move. Taking the paper which Mr..
Barnes had found in the parlor of the
farmhouse, he folded it SO that only the
first half Of the sentence could be read.
Approaching Virginia, he suddenly
held it up before her eyes and said:
did you ever see this before?"
This was SO unexpected that Virginia
was thrown off her guard. At the first
glance she smothered an exclamation
and hurriedly put her hand to her
breast. Instantly, however, her agita-
ton passed, and she replied quite calm
ly.
"No. Never"
II believe you, for had you done so
1t would never have reached my hands.
Now please take it and examine it
closely"
She did SO, and then said, ut looks
like my unole's writing, and IL would
seem that he tried to communicate to
US the name of his assailant."
Precisely, and, more, he made an
other attempt and-succeeded. Miss
Lewis, the second paper is in your pos
session."
"You are mistaken" she replied
coldly.
II am not. I say not only did you
take that paper, but you have it secret
ed about your person at this very min
ute"
Virginia answered by half seornful
smile. Mr. Barnes showed some little
excitement. He was accustomed to deal
with wary criminals, but had never
met woman so provokingly self pos
sessed as this one.
Come, Miss Lewis" said Mr.. Tup-
per, "it is useless to deny what I say.
l set trap for you deliberately, and
you were caught, in spite Of all your
strength Of will. When I showed you
that paper, Iwell knew you had no idea
that it existed, and therefore my object
was to see what you would do, believ.
ing that your first glance would make
you think it was the other paper As I
expected, you at once feared that you
had lost it and instinctively felt for it
in the bosom of your dress"
did II" with shrug of the Shout
ders.
Mr.. Upper looked at her a moment
and then, with his eyes still intently
upon her, he said, "Call Walter Mar
vel"