The Portland daily press., 1898-10-18
tp11g1IsHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.


ing her 81 b. "But we must nevertheless
face the facts ii we desire to discover the
assassin"
"Thev told me that it was you who first
discovered her," she said, Ialtering-
ly. her eyes OVERLOOKING with tears.
"Tell me how it all happened.
"There is very little to tell" he re,
sponded. 81 found her lying in the ROAD
dead, and went at once for the doctor and
the police"
''But what were you doing in Cross
Lane?" she inquired.
81 went out to meet you as we had
arranged"
But surely you knew that could not
meet you," she exclaimed, looking at
"How could I?''
ST sent you letter telling you that my
father had an unexpected visitor, and
that we must therefore postpone our
meeting until this evening.
ga letterr' he cried, puzzled. II have
only this moment left the Court, and no
letter has yet arrived.'
'sBut I gave it to Nelly to post before
half past twelve yesterday morning,
therefore you should have re ceived 1t at
five. She must have forgotten to post
it."
Evidently" he said. "But have you
yet ascertained why she went down Cross
LaneP To the police the fact OF her nave
ing ridden down there in preference TO
the high road is an enigma.
'No. According to the inquiries al
ready made it has been ascerta1ned tna1
she went to Talmey's at Burghfield, pur-
chased some silk, and had returned near
ly to Stratfield Mortimer when she sud
denly turned, went back about half
mile, and then entered Cross Lane. She
was seen to turn by two laborers coming
home from their work on Sims's Farm.
"She was alone, I suppose
Entirely" Lame answered. Like
myself, she had no horror of tramps. I've
ridden along these roads at all hours OF
the day and night, and have never been
once moIested.'
"The tragedy was no doubt enacted In
broad daylight, for the sun had not quite
set when, according to the doctor, sne
must have been shot while riding. Have
you any idea that she had incurred the
luminosity of any body?"
"No; as you well know, she was ct
most amicable disposition. AS far as l
am aware, she had not single enemy in
the world"
IA secret lover. perhaps" George sug-
gested.
"No, not that am aware of. She had
England she has never spoken of any man
with admiration"
"Then abroad she had an admirerP
Whereof
sin Nice. Charles Holroyd. rich
young Englishman, who was staying last
winter at the Grand Hotel, admired her
very much"
"And you were also living in Nice at
the timeP''
eyes"
"Do you know his address in Eng
land?" he inquired.
'No. Nelly may have, but did not
I met him with her on the promenade
several times. and he seemed very pleas
ant and amusing. The diamond brooch
she wore he gave her as present last
claimed. 'she was not wearing that
brooch when discovered her,"
"No," answered his well-beloved.
"Strangely enough that has been stolen;
although no attempt was made to take
the watch and bunch Of charms she wore
in her blouse "
"Are the police aware of that?''
eyes," Lame answered. 81 told one
of the deuectivss this morning, md gave
him minute description Of the brooch
At the back are engraved Nelly'a initials,
together with his, therefore, 1T is likely it
may be traced. -
"If SO, it will be easy to lind the MUIR
u0I6F, ocOIk0 OprCi vCu3 08 UH0y 6OIO4AOu
slowly along together beneath the well
come shade, for the morning was perfect,
with bright warm sun and olOudless
sky into which the larks were everywhere
soaring, filing the air with their shrill
JOYOUS songs. "Have you any idea
| whether poor Nelly has correspondent with
thi man Holroyde sincs leaving Nice?"
he inquired after pause.
81 think not"
"Whyr"
"Well, they had slight quarreel-I
| have never exactly KIN" wn the cause-they
parted, and although he wrote several
Times she did not answer.
George scented su picion in this cir
cumstance. The fact that this brooch,
have been stolen was, to say the least,
curious; but discarded lovers sometimes
| avenge themselves, and this might per.
chance be q case Of murder through ieal-
ousy. AS he strolled on beside the hand
some girl. with her pale, yelled face. he
| reflected deeply, trying In vain to form
some theory as to the motive of the crime.
discovered an old miniature of Lady
Anne which has been missing from the
Court for twenty years or more9" he
asked.
'.Yes, they showed it to my father and
myself. We have, however, never seen 1t
before. How 1t came into her possession
we are utterly at loss to imagine, 4"
she answered. SIT is heavy blow to lose
her." she continued in low intense
voice. We have always been as sisters.
and now the fate that has overtaken her
is enshrouded in mystery which seems
inexplicable. Father is dreadfully upset.
fear he will never be as happy as be-
fore.'
But you have me. Lame" her lover
said, suddenly hating and drawing her
| toward him. love you. darling. told
you nearly two months ago that loved
you. I don't knew that / can add any
thing to what I said then.
She was silent, looking straight before
her.
His breath came more quickly. The
color rose to his cheeks. At this decisive
moment the words died in his throat, as
they must for every honest lover who
would fam ask the momentous question
of her whom he loves. He remembered
that he now had no right to ask her to be
his wife.
'tDo You know" he said at last, again
grasping her hand impetuously, "that 1
4 thin n Won tho cvaatoot 1onct cbQrY1 n