Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-08-23
CHAPTER III.

Mrs. Hope, not wishing Miriam to see
her agitation after leaving Cheatham,
went at once to her own room, and re-
manned there for some time with her face
buried in her trembling hands.
''Mrs. Hope, there's gentleman in the
parlor to see Miss Miriam and Mr.. Cheat
ham," said Kitty Boyne. ~
Mrs Hope started up, and telling Kit
ty Boyne where Miriam could be found,
she went down and looked into the par
lor. Without being observed by the
stranger, she was enabled to see him, be-
fore Miriam put in an appearance.
He was tall, rather slender, but erect
and graceful. His well-set head was COW
cred with curly, yellow hair, and his COM
plexion, though showing exposure, had
the rudy glow on the cheeks and the
snowy whiteness on the brow that art
has in vain tried to initiate for the en-
hancement of beauty. Though the face
and form indicated a man Of twenty
eight or thirty there was laughing,
boyish expression in the blue eyes, and a
smile about the lips which the dropping,
blonde mustaches could not hide.
''You wished to see meT asked Miri-
am bowling to the stranger, who had been
looking out of the window.
'You are Miss Hermann? My name is
Paul Neville. was to have met Mr..
Cheatham here" replied the visitor, and
to Miriam's surprise he advanced with
extended hand.
Though little startled by the act, she
could not resist taking Mr.. Neville's hand
any more than she could resist blushing.
The man seemed so natural, so boyish, SO
wanting in self-consciousness, and so
strikingly fresh and handsome that she
could not, for the life of her, keep her
eyes from his face.
"Mr Cheatham has just left" said Mi
riam. "You are the gentleman who is
aiding Mr.. Cheatham in the search for
Charles Carpenter?"
yes. But let me tell you, / am not
a detective by profession. | was strand
ed, however, and had to do something
When Mr.. Cheatham met me and made
me the offer, few days since, l started
in; for apart from what make out of it,
Charles Carpenter will bless me when
he sees the good fortune and the bride I
have brought him."
what is your profession, Mr.. Ne
vilie?' asked Miriam, still rejecting that
contagious smile, and feeling as if she
had known this man long years instead of
brief minutes.
eat present l am teaching vocal gym
nastics-singing. I also teach physical
gymnastics and fencing. I have two pu-
pills, little bits Of fellows, where board,
learning German. And the tailor from
whom I got these Clothes" he glanced
over himself and laughed again long and
loud, ''has agreed that shall teach his
daughter French in payment. To-day
am detective, tomorrow / may be
sailor. But you can depend that I will
earn the twelve dollars a week Mr..
Cheatham pays me. Do you know what
did yesterday"
81 cannot imagine" replied Miriam
81 never before thought that was par
ticularly sharp, but think the plan I in
augurated yesterday shows that l have
talent for detective work. 1 would not
tell it to Mr.. Cheatham, for l do not
admire him particularly. You know
there are people you don't like, and can
not explain why
ST am aware of that"
But 1 will tell you, Miss Hermann
He threw back his yellow name and drew
nearer. Il bought copy of the City
Directory-a last years copy-for dol
lar; this years would have cost FIVE; there
were four saved. Well, at once turned
to c, and followed down till I came to
Carpenter. Aaron, and so on to Charles.
The Carpenters are large and eminent
~ respectable family, and they have
great fondness for John, Henry and
Charles. Being particularly interested in
the Charleses, began hunting them up.
Would you believe it, the first man of the
name / met was black; the second was
an honest Irishman. with a wife and six
children; and the third was an old gem
tleman from Philadelphia. You see. Miss
Hermann, our Charles Carpenter must be
single, otherwise it would be better to
leave him unbound"
"It might be better to give no thought
to his condition, but find him that he may
get his rights, IL that be possible, under
the will, and l think it ,is,'' said Miriam.
with characteristic seriousness.
Il win do what can. viii help you.
T xyas,ld i;ta -, s1nv,,a