Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-03


TO Fifth avenue and walked rapidly
up that thoroughfare He walked be-
cause he wished to reflect. lie found
the problem which engaged his mind
assuming n more complicated form
than ever. He could readily see how
the knowledge which now was his
would have more than convinced Mr..
Barnes OF the correctness OF his sus-
picions against young Mora. The de-
tcctivc would have argued that the
man who had quarrelcd with his ia
thcr and had abandoned his own
child would scarcely have hesitated TO
kill his father under the fear of being
disnherlted. But for the present Mr..
Mitchell dismissed that side of the sub
ject from his thoughts. The suppose
ton that Mora was the murderer left
much to be explained in connection
with the mysterious killing of Slip
perry Sam and the finding Of the will
in the young crooks pocket. Besides.
he could not reconcile Mora's guilt
with certain theories Of his own which
he was not yet ready to abandon.
Therefore, despite the evidence which
seemed to accumulate against the dead
mans son. Mr.. Mitchell considered the
case still improved.
But there was another matter which
Interested him in no ordinary degree.
The great resemblance between tn,
photographs of Lillian Vale and his
daughters school friend. perdita Van
Cortlandt, seemed to invite study. But.
having seen Lillian and having closely
observed her face. he was moro than
ever struck Ivy tho likeness between
herself and the oihcr girl as he rc-
memhered her. Vet il was possible
that memory was here playing him
trick. He had not seen Perdita for
| nearly year and so could not now
he sure that be was not deceived in
fancying Llc likeness to hc So great.
Then II occurred to him that there
was nothing to prevent his calling at
her house. lie was sufficiently we'll
acquainted with her family to do this
without exciting comment. With Ill
ian'S features freshly imprinted upon
his memory he could thus make n
comparison which would he decisive
Half an hour later. therefore. he
stood at the door of tho Van Cortlault
residence and sent i'm his namc. The
servant. not recognizing him aS a n
miliar visitor. uShored him into small
reception room separated from the lar
ger parlors beyond by heavy oriental
drapcrieS.
While awaiting the return of the
man Mr.. Mitchell was attracted 10y a
fine Corot which hung on the wall near
the porticreS and went TO that end If
the room to examine it. Standing
there he was surprised To hear II voice,
which ne instantly recognized. speak
ing in most earnest tones. in the apart
mcnt beyond.
Put Pcrdita, my darling. Won have
admitted that You love me. Then why
do you hcsitatcE Can you not trust
me. or do YOU too. still doubt"
II was Matthew Mora who was thus
pleading. Thus another and most uu-
looked for chapter was added TO this
case. Mr.. Mitchell firmly bclieVcd-in
fact. could not doubt that Mora was
the father OF Iilau's child. He fan
cicd that there was an unusual re
semhlancc between Lillian herself and
pcrdi1a. and here he overheard Mora
making ardent professions of love &c
the latter.
Had Mora also noticed the similarity
between his little beauty of the slum>
and This society belle? Was il this
which had attracted him to this girl
who was his social equal and whom
society would adjulGc To he Il more
fitting companion TO him through life
As these thoughts occurred to hiIl
Perdta was replying.
"lIow can you think me 50 con
temptiblc: | have confessed my love
for YOU Does not that sutliccE Do
you think that could care for yol
and not trust yout"
Then YOU do believe in my limo
ccncc" pursued Mora.
As believe in my Maker" was th'
girls reply, and the wuld7 Jared un
pleasantly on Mr.. Mitchcrs ear.
II WAS not pleasant To he thus play
ing caVcSdroppcr, but the events which
were rushing one upon the other S'
swiftly and the very interests of this
girl herself seemed to Justify Mr.
Mitchell in adopting this method o
learning the truth. He was therefore
glad that the servant did not return
too quickly.
Tho conversation on the other side o
the portieres continued.
"Ah, YOU say YOU believe in my limo
cencc; that you trust me. But. P"rdila
when | wish to put thar faith to "A test
then you shrink. You hesitate To com
ply with my wishes
"Ah. but what you ask is 50 unneccs
sary. do not understand why vol
, should make such n request, nor do
think | ought 10 aCCedc. | owe some
thing 10 my mother, you know.
when woman truly loves man
she Is ready TO give up home, parent
and even self To follow his fortunes.
Il am willing TO do all that, but d.
not see why you should ask IN" To IL
so in - hours. That Is very sudden
"Oh. love affairs are always Suddol
| surprises to women. That is what the,
all say"
"Now you arc unjust aud unkind.
Her voice trcmhlcd little. and MI
Mitchell was strongly tempted to opci
, the draperieS and ChaStiSc this mar
- who WAS urging "A girl tp do tll