The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-10

her hand. I walked away while her de.
hght was still voluble Somehow Il
eased me to have done her this little
oeneHt, and I think 1t eased the mem
100. Al all events, every hat was off
when l passed them again on nv Way
PACK to the Knollys gateway,
mad LEFT both the girls there, but 7
iound only one awaiting me. Lucetta
nad gone In, and so had Hannah. Why
L was soon to know.
What do you suppose that detective
wants of Lucetta now2" asked I,oreen.
as !! took my station again at her side
Wh1le you We're talking over there to
mother Jane he stepped over here. and
With word or two induced Lucetta to
walk away toward the house. See,
there they are in those thick shrubs
near the right wing. He seems to be
pleading with her. Do you think I
ought to join them and find out what
ne Is urging upon her so earnestlyP 1
don't like to seem intrusive, but Luz
cetta is easily agitated. you know, and
his business cannot be an Indifferent
one after all he has discovered going on
in our house"
NO" I agreed, land yet I think
Lucetta will be strong enough to sus-S
tain the conversation, Judging from the
very erect attitude she is holding now.
Perhaps he thinks she can tell him
where to dig. They seem a little at sea.
}, y
rods from Mother Jane, he may mag
Inc that from some sign or other she
can direct him where to first plant the
spade.'
Its an insult" cried Loreen. "Au
Ihese talks and visits are insults. To
pc sure, this detective has some excuse,
but
"Watch!' I interrupted. 'Lucetta is
shaking her head and looking very
positive. She will prove to him It is an
insult. We need not interfere, think"
What Is this?' she asked. What
does Mr.. Gryce want, LucettaP"
Mr.. Gryce himself spoke,
i want her." said he, 'to give me
Just a little clew from her inmost
thoughts. When I was in your house"
he explained, with careful considera-
ton for me and my relations to these
with which he offset some which were
of an exasperating nature to me, ~
saw something in her attitude, being,
as you may surmise, something of a
keen observer, which convinced me that
! as a dweller in this lane, Miss Knollys
| was not without her suspicious as to
the secret cause Of the dread myteries
Which I have been sent here to clear
up Today I have frankly asked her,
and she-she will not tell me, hiss
Loreen. Yet her face shows even at
| this moment that my old eyes were not
Aii Aiiy iCftOlIS u AtI. OIlg
| does suspect somebody, and 1t is not
| Mother Jane"
How can you say thatT began LII
cetta, but THE eyes which Loreen that
moment turned upon her seemed to
trouble her, for she did not attempt 10
stinate and distressed.
IF Lucetta suspects any one" Loreen
now remarked steadily, then I think
she ought to tell you just who and
why"
You do. Then perhaps you"-com-
menced Mr.. GryceE"can persuade her her
as to her duty" he finished as he saw
her head rise in protest Of what he
evidently had intended to demand.
"Lucetta will not yield to persua-
sion" was her quiet reply. Nothing
sweetest natured but the most determjn-
ed of all my mothers children. What
she thinks is right, she will do. I viii
not attempt to influence her"
Mr.. Gryce, with one comprehensive
survey of the two, hesitated no longer.
Miss Knollys'-his very tone was
changed, changed in a way. to make,ns
all start, Notwithstanding the prepare
ton his momentary silence had given
us-"I have been thus pressing and
perhaps rude in my appeal because Of
something which has come to my
knowledge which cannot but make you
the meaning of this terrible mystery, I
am an old man and you will not mind
my bluntness. I have been told-and
your agitation tells me 1t is true-that
you have a lover, a Mr.. Ostrander-''
All! She had sunk as if crushed by
one terrific blow to the earth. The
eyes, the lips, the whole pitiful face
that was upturned to us remain in INV
memory today as the most terrible
and yet the most moving spectacle thai
has come into my by no means I'M
eventful life. What has come to hinq
Quick, quick, tell me-"
For answer Mr.. Gryce drew out a.
telegram.
From the master of the shin on
which he was to SAIL" said he. ut
asks If Mr.. Ostrander left this town on
tuesday last, as no news has come
from him."
"Loreen! Loreen! He passed down
that way!' shrieked the girl, risina
like spirit and pointing down the
road toward Deacon Spears. 'He 10
gone! He is lost, but his fate shall NOT
remain mystery. I will dare its So
luton. Ii Tonight you Will hear
from me again"
And without another glance at anv
OF US she turned and fed toward the