The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-02
But are you really happy?"

able Is one OF the charms Tor nefs IN HE.
Fer father told me that when she was
quite Convinced that she had lost my
love and that I had really left Mel
bourne forever, she was mad to follow
me. and declared that she then knew for
the first time that she loved me beyond
everything else. You smile, Shirley?
But. no matter; she does love me. and
l am satisfied. And now, dear old fell
low, how serve you?"
Shirley explained the result Of his
visit to Clarice, no emitting to state
the mysterious conduct of the French
maid as he was about to leave the
house. - -
The more he had reflected on the mat
ter, the more certain he felt that Clar-
ices message had been compulsory,
dictated. perhaps. by fear for his safe
ty; and he had determined to devote
himself to the discovery Of the real
murderer, as being the best way to
prove his own innocence.
I'm my first horror at being suspect
ed, I vas almost afraid to think where
or how I had procured hat miniature
of Clarice; and II any one had offered
me a proof that I was the man who
killed Philip Grayson, I would have
been afraid to protest my own inno-
cence.
But, as my strength increases and
my memory returns. my mind has
cleared, and I can now remember, as in
a vision, the name in which I OBJ
tanned the miniature. I cannot swear
to 1t, for it has returned to me like
something in a forgotten dream; but IL
is worth acting on, as 1t may afford a
clue to the murderer.
after leaving the church on that
miserable day when I saw my Clarice
the bride of another, I wandered aim
ltssly about the streets in such a con-
dition that 1t is strange I was not ar
rested and locked up on>a charge of
drunkenness; doubtless I was quiet,
and that saved me.
Toward evening I found myself in a
crowded and wretched part of the city.
in the neighborhood Of the tenements
inhabited by the hordes of poor foreign
ers who live in this city. Suddenly, in
the midst of a squalid group, I saw a
familiar, face and form. It was that Of
a strikingly- handsome and extraordin-
airy man, whom I had last seen at the
5diggings, in Australia. It was a face
and figure, once seen, v to be for
gotten. and I followed 1t mechanically,
because it was familiar. The man
pushed aside the squalid rabble about
him, and passed on like a prince. while
they fell back about him with a sort Of
ave.. I noticed even then that they
seemed to know who he was, for they
called him 'Excelenza' among them
selves. After a while he paused at a
dark, narrow alley-way, and as he dis
~-SkIS-ASx 800 r~~oNkHfn~
from his hand with a careless gesture,
and it fell, face upward, at my feet.
II stopped and picked it up. It was
thu portrait of Clarice; I felt no sur
prise then; I was past being surprised
or curious. I just received 1t, pressed 1t
to my lips and then put it ip my pock-
ct; and there, no doubt, it remained.
until Mrs. Martin found It.
II am going to find the detective now,
and tell him my story. It is Wild and
improbable, and he may refuse to be-
lieve It; but he may think 1t worth list
ening to, and he may be able to turn 1t
to account"
''This is certainly extraordinary" said
DR.. Bethune, "and you are right in los
ing no time in talking the matter over
with the detective, as no clue-so far as
the public yet knows-has been found to
lead to the murderer. Hare, Shirley
have written down the name and adj
dress Of the detective, which I learned
in my capacity Of spy in your inter.
ests."
Austin took the slip Of paper and
fastened away in the direction pointed
out by 1t.
Hantlin was nor at home when Shir-
ley first called, having already gone to
call on Mrs. Grayson; but Austin de-
cided to wait, and his patience was not
severely tried, for the detective re-
turned in about an hour, disappointed
and thoughtful, but determined as ever
to discover the whereabouts Of the mar
quis of Castellani.
William Hantlin listened with all the
interest and attention that Shirley
could desire to the curious story. When
1t was concluded, he said:
a week ago, I would have called YOU,
have come about strangely within that
time. I know now that you are not
suspected, even Of Mr.. Grayson's muir.
der, and have every reason to believe
every wcrd Of your story, since I have
stronr evidence against just such q
ran as you describe, calling himself the
Marquis del Castellani.' 4.
Tho same, without doubt" Shirley
said, with decision. There are prob.
ably not two lei in the world who
would fill the description. He was not
known as q marquis at the 'diggings.'
though: he claimed to be q nohleman.
and Probably ia for he wassa magnif-,
AGL-lr - -N..---F----rs