The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-03-15
CHAPTER VI.


4. Dorothy turned and answered: ITO
the studio. Even If he has left Henri
will tell me something about him, for
Henri would do anything for me-"
-But-but it's almost daybreak," OPP
posed Mrs. Winfret. ITS bad enough
as it is. but for you to go looking up
murderer at such an unseemly hour"
Dorothy laid her hand on the bell but
ton and rang.
Then she walked to the door opening
into the corridor and Mrs. Winfret
heard her call to the servant below and
order the carriage.
~ -All right, miss!" came up from the
hall beneath in sleepy accents.
$ Mrs. Winfret rose and came to her
niece, her two hands outstretched.
q "Wait until morning, darling" she
begged. "You will accomplish just as
much and run no risk of being talked
about"
If you don't go with me go alone
burst from the determined girl. Get
ready; Iwili dress myself in moment"
II won't be long" said Mrs. Winfret,
resignedly. 81 know nothing else will
sutisfy you. You are simply in love,
and love knows no reason" t6
~ Ten minutes later the two ladies
stood shiyering in the dark asphalt
paved portecochere waiting for the car
riage. When the wondering coachman
drove round they got into the vehicle
ahd drew their wraps around them.
roc" Rembrandt Studio building, James,"
said Mrs. Winfret, her teeth chattering.
gg Not word passed between the oc-
cupants OF the carriage on the way up
town. Mrs. yWinfret put her arms round
her stately niece and made gentle eff
fort to draw the girls head TO her shoul-
der. but Miss Huntington sat stif1y
erect. The tragedy had, as 1t were,
turned her TO stone. She drew long,
trembling breath as her aunt removed
her arm and that was ell.
When the carriage stopped at the
studio building, Dorothy opened the
door, and stepped quickly down to the
sidewalk. Her aunt followed her into
the dimly-lighted hall. A colored boy
sat asleep on bench at the open eleva-
tor and the jarring of the car as they
enteredait awaked him.
,rMr. Gielow's studio" said Dorothy,
hoarsely.
The boy rubbed his eyes with one
hand and with the other grasped the
lever, and they began to ascend.
.'Is be in ?" asked Mrs. Winfret.
Il can't say, madam. came on al
three o'clock"
IF he is not in." said Dorothy, "his
servant will give me the information l
wish"
Tenth. floor," said the boy, sliding the
door open. Second door on the left"
The two ladies passed down one Of the
long corridors till they came to door
.he transom of which transmitted soft
greenish refulgence from subdued
lights within. Dorothy had just rung
TIE bell when she noticed that the door
was not latched. She pushed against
II. il opened. and she preceded her aunt
inside. They found themselves in a
private hallway, and further on,
Through parted oriental curtains, they
eaw the lights Of the large reception
room. Entering it they found it still
and vacant. The roof had great sky
light and the several windows looking
eastward were of polished plate glass.
Through them, when the curtains were
parted. the rays of the moon fell weird
'1y and blended anonymously with the
low burning lights of the chandelier
overhead. In hooks and recesses dark
bronze and white marble statues !oomed
like suggestions of the good and evil
they represented. AS they stood in the
center of the chamber. undecided what
10 do, they heard step In the adjoining
room, and Henri presented terrified
visage over the top of grotesquely
carved wooden screen.
-Who is it?" he cried out In a voice
that shook strangely. He had not rec
ognized the visitors,
1T is |. Henri, Miss Huntington.
Where is your master?" ....l
Henri slowly stalked from behind
the screen.
"You-you. Miss Dorothy!" he stam-
mered. and then he stood mute picture
OF indeoision, his glance shifting to and
fro uneasily.
"Where is Mr.. Gielow? must see
himi" said the heiress.
Henri made no response. he clutched
a brass stand, on which lay some
eurios. and they shook and ratified
harshly. A small piece of china fell
TO the floor with crash. but he did not
notice IT,. Miss Huntington stepped de-
llberately to the chandelier and raised
one Of the lights. Then her eyes fell
on Henri. His collar was unfastened,
his necktie awry. and his long black
hair iumbled: his eyes looked as II from
weeping they had swollen too big for
their sockets.
~Whaf's the matter. Henri?" asked
Miss Huntington. almost fiercely. bis
bearing and aspect hurling fresh
shaft of convIctiop into her heart.
''Speat. say; don't you'know nm as
true o friend to him as yousre?"
-He- he's gone. Miss Dorothy" was
the reply.
aGone2 Wheref"
The man sank on adlyau. forgetful Of
~ station. He cIagped bis shaggy