Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-09-13
CHAPTER Y.
81 Cannot Believe You"

look in her lovely eyes.
ADDISON Cheetham preserved an
ominous silence, as if that point was
not worth arguslng, rhls very cir
Cumstance increased her fear.
What possible proof can you have
Of what you ASSERT" she questioned,
a iength.
Il have been to the Dove-cote," he
answered, briefly.
you! Where is it,"
About ten miles from here, in a
little lane that leads to the right from
tho Uppingham road; and, Miss Rad
cliffs, let me assure you it is a dainty
little nest for the blue-eyed dove who
inhabits It,"
1t seemed to Pearle as If the sun was
being suddenly put out, and she was
cropping in darkness from which she
would never emerge.
He had been so precise in describing
tho location Of the DOve-cote. She
knew there was a lane leading from
tho Uppingham road about ten miles
distant; she knew, too, that there was
tiny cottage there, nesting among
the trees; she had passed by it more
than once; she had seen it, and
wondered whose home was in that
coy nest. Now she had learned, but
could she credit the dreadful intelli-
gence? Ariel-that was what he had
called her-had blue eyes; she was a
blonde, then. RiChie-who was he
named for-had black eyes and black,
curling hair; 50 too had Richard Byrn-
holm. Heavens! was she going mad,
or only dreaming?
GLOW do you know that--that- they
live there?" she whispered.
ariel and Richie? Oh, have seen
them"
Pearlo caught her breath with a
gasf.
well that may be; but what right
hayo you to say that they are any
thing TOTO him." she asked, with al
shudder.
Does not what you hold in your
hand prove IT." he asked, pointing to-
tho little book which lay in her
nervous fingers. 1T ought; but, for
tunately, can give you still stronger
proof. First, | will tell you how |
happened to have that little memo
randum Of expenses. | CHANGED to en-
ter the library at Linden Grange one
day just after Richard had been sum
moned to give directions to some work
men. This book was lying open on
the table, and | read what you have
Just now read | naturally began to
wonder what family resided at the
Dove-cote, and why Richard should be
burdened with the expense OF It,
Yesterday it lay again upon his table,
and | took possession Of 1t to show 1t
to you. | began to think that there
must be some mystery connected with
his life, and | set myself to work 70
ferret it out. | began by watching
him, and he has made no less than
four Journeys to the DOve-cote during
my stay here, and always late at night,
and | have followed him each time
Once during the day, of late, | rode
thithcr, and found n charming little
boy playing by himself
beneath an arbor formed by a honey
suCklo vine. No one else appeared to|
be about, and made friends with him.
| got him to lisp his Richie
Byrnholm he said it was-and just
then Il beautiful, goldcn-haired woman
came to the porch of the cottage and
called, in ilute-like tones, Richie,
Richie, come in to mamma now.
This | knew must be Ariel was
the mystery was solved"
1T must be some other Mrs. Byrn-
holm and her child--some relative; heI
could never be guilty of such a crime,
Pearle moaned in a voice of horror.
"Then what need of his secret visits
to the place?-what of his love for his !
little namesake? For have seen him
gather that child in his arms, murmur-
irg fond words over him, and caressing
him with tenderest affection"
pcarlo reeled in her chair and
clutChcd at the table for support She
was suffering the torture OF the rack. |
1T must be some relative" she muir
INJURED, hrokenly again
Then why does he hide her in that
remote place." pursued her tOrmentOr. |
"Why not acknowledge her as a rela-
tive, and go boldly In the day time to
visit her rs such? No; your immacu-
late lover is u gambler, a roue. and al
forger Also as shall soon prove toI