The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-15
nY WILLIAM LIE QUEUX,


seriously imperiled his position at my
urgent request, must undoubtedly suffer.
In order to shield him [ must therefore
remain silent. With intense chagrln L
saw my self ingeniously checkmated.
l dared not allow one single syllable or
suspicion regarding the German servant
who was, according TO Mrs. Lalng, o
treasure" to escape my lips, and thus as
the weeks passed preceding my marriage,
/ was compelled to watch and wait With
oat any outward sign.
The reason of his vigilance WAS an in
scrutable mystery.
With Ella as my wife I had passed six
blissful weeks visiting many Of the quaint
oli-world towns in Central France 1t
has. been ELIAS fancy to do this. She
hated the glare and glitter of Paris, and
would only remain there the night on
our outward and homeward journeys;
indeed cities had no charm for her, she
preferred the lethargic provincial towns
from which we could make excursions
into the country, and spent the bright
autumn days at oldfashioned inns.
Fearing that she was becoming bored, L
endeavOred to induce her to 20 to Blarrltz
or Pau. but to no avail. The crowded
tabie-d'hot of the popular . resorts pos
sessed no attraction, and L reJolced IN
secret, for we spent a far happier time
wandering through the country than if
installed in some garish hotel in the
neigh borhood of IA casino.
Once. and only once since our marriage
had made any mention of the death of
Dudley Ogle. We were driving into the
ancient town of Chateauroux, in the
Indre. on the numbering, dusty, old dill
gence that has performed the same daily
journey for perhaps a century when L
CHANGED to incidentally utter his name,
and express wonder when the mystery
would be solved.
We were speaking in English, not q
word of which could be understood by our
driver, but Instantly she turned TO me
with a look of reproach, and placing her
little gloved hand on my mouth in haste,
exclaimed:
''No Godfrey. Do not recall that ter
rible tragedy. Promise never again to
mention his name; it only brings sadness
to both of us, while the mystery sur
rounding the crime is irritating and
puzzling. You have already told us that
he was not yonr friend although he posed
as such, therefore forget him. 1 have
not forgotten; nor shall | ever cease to
think and to strive towards the solution
of the problem"
But cannot help You to search and
investigator l suggested. "Why should
youEstrive to elucidate this msytery alone,
now that you are my wifeg
because it is my ambition, she an
swered, regarding me earnestly with
clear, trusting eyes. You will, know,
allow me to retain one object in life
apart from you
Certainly" I answered, surreptitious.
IL pressing her hand, although puzzled at
her strange words. In the few weeks we
had been together had discovered that
she was woman of moods and curious
fancies. Once or twice she had exhibited
strong desire to walk alone at night
when the moon .shone, and because OBJ
jected she had pouted prettily, scorning
thesidea that she was not able to take care
of herself. Except when IN this mood
she was always eager to fulfil my every
wish, and had quickly arrived at the
conclusion that her strange desires were
but natural to one of slightly historical
temperament, and therefore troubled my
self but little about them.
Thus after an enjoyable trip through
one of the most beautiful districts of
France unknown to the average Briton,
we returned and settled comfortably at
our new home in Kensington. My duties
at the Foreign Office took ma away a
greater part of the day, but Ella was not
lonely for she drove out frequently with
her mother, who visited her almost daily.
OF interference or maternal influence l
had nothing whatever to complain, yet
Ella desire to wander about alone, aim
less and absorbed, soon again seized her.
We had been settled about month when
/ made this discovery from the servants
who, on my arrival home earlier than
usual on several occasions, told me, in
answer to questions, that their mistress
had gone out by herself. But on her re-
ing quite incidentally that she had been
shopping in High street. or that she had
been to her milliner's in Bond street or
elsewhere.
So frequently did this occur that at last
l became puzzled, and on making further
inquiries found THAT on many occasions
she had been absent the whole day, re-
turning only just in time to change her
Gress and receive me with that bright,
winning smile that always held me en-
tranced.
One bright December afternoon I re-
turned at three o'clock, and found sh e
had been absent since eleven that morn
ing. took cab to Point street, but as
certaining she had not been there. re-
until nearly six. AS soon as L heard her
light footstep 1 seized q book that lay
nearest and pretended to resd. She burst
in like ray Of sunshine, her face aglow
with laughter, and in her hand an i'm
mense bunch Of sweet-smelling violets.
|. The book CHANGED to be a Koran in
Arabic. She came across to kiss me, but
Wdfou uer On Will ulSAlUf, otIu WOlio
on translating the Word of the Prophet.
Ella stood back indignant, and with
her flowers in front of her waited at the
other side of the table.
After q pause ! commenced: You
went cut this morning ten minutes after
had gone; it is now six O'Clock. You
have been absent seven hours.
Ella nodded.
And how have you employed your
timer" I asked. "Have you been shop
ping, as usual?''
Ella again nodded.
"Seyen hours is a long time. Where
did you get those 1owers|' L asked
shifting contemptuously at the huge
bunch Of sweet-smelling blossoms she had
let fall before me.
k"I bought them at Scott So
THAT is Il bunch specially made up for
presentation said. Someone gave
them to you
Eyes, the shopman, she laughed. 81
gave him two shillings for them. Then
she took off her hat and, impaling it
with long pin, cast it he9dlessly upon
the table.
g 1T has not occupied seven hours TO Euy
a bunch of yiolets.'' I said ruthlessly.
Where have you been?''
Ella looked rOund laughing, and said