Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-11-14
CHAPTER NNVnl.
LeOnce SpeakS.

For many happy minutes Clarice for
got everything i'll the world except that
Shirley'S arms embodied her. and that
nothing but death could ever part them
again.
Then, slowly. came the knowledge
IL at others We're near, and that serious,
perhaps terrible matters, were TO be
talked over She did not withdraw her.
self from her lover, but she folded her
hands about his arm. and drew him into
the room; and. turning her blushing,
happy face toward the detective, she
motioned to him to follow them.
The father. also, followed, without
waiting for any invitation. He saw
now that the game was up, and though
tingling with rage and disappointment,
he had already determined to make the
best OF things. and pick up al! that he
could from the wreck of his hopes ana
schemes.
Hantlin told Mrs. Grayson, as briefly
as possible. of the discovery and cap
ture of Philip Gravson's murderer. con-
Guiding:
"And now it only remains to find tht.
young Frsncl.woman and. if possible.
20 make her tell all that She knows on
the subject. There is circumstansial
evidence enough to hang the man, but
she is cur only living witness"
Clarice looked up quickly, and her
gaze made rapid survey of the room.
She had forgotten Leorce. but she now
rem embered that the French maid had
beer voluntarily awaiting the arrival of
the detective. whom she had been ex-
peCting with even more confidence than
her mistress.
AS Clarice looked about, the heavy,
dark velvet curtain before the window
Swayed and parted, and Leonce stepped
out.
81 am here. monsieur" she said, and
waiting to speak,
The detective started, and thrill,
half of pain, half pleasure, went
through him. He grew pale, and his
eyes glowed with feeling as they fell on
her worn and pallid face
1--WE are ready to hear you, miss-that
Is, MISUNDERSTANDING anxious, too," he
said, brokenly. "But. excuse me, you
look too sick to stand Won't you sit
DOWN. and he moved chair toward
de1 as ne spoke.
Clarice smiled slightly. She had al
fcady suspected the state of Detective
G!antlin's feelings. But Leonce, though
che thanked him with a grateful look,
refused the chair, being too we'll bred to
sit down in the presence of her mistress
without orders.
Without a moments hesitation, she
began to speak, her gaze turned toward
Clarice, but often sinking downward as
she went on.
"When I left you, madam, hurried
to warn that mani cannot name him:
but, believe me, it was not because I
love him still. No; I loathe and fear
hinl-at least, I did; but the thought Of
the father of my child-my beautiful
Tonio-dying on the scaffold, made me
frantic, and felt that I had clumsily
betrayed him to you in speaking of the
.stiletto.
81 told him he was suspected. I babe
him save himself and then fled to my
child. I found him ill. My good friend
who had charge of him said the attack
was sudden-it had come on within the
f1our-but it was dangerous, being Group
OF the worst kind.
t'My heart sank, for it seemed to me
ike judgment on my crime, because I
was protecting, for his sake, a guilty
father, while an innocent man was sus-
pected, and my good, sweet mistress
made miserable. But still, I could not
bring myself to tell the truth. I nursed
my baby day and night; I wearied
heaven with prayers for mercy, un-
mindful that J.. too, ought to be merci-
Gul. But was punished-he died in my
arms, my little angel, my Tonic; and,
though it nearly killed me, I am learn
Ing to thank God, because he is an an
gel. in heaven now, whereas, had he
1ived-alas. ne was his fathers child!
+ dare not think of it.
81 buried him this morning, and over
fiis grave I vowed to do what I thought
was right. Yes, madam, the man who
wrecked my life, Antonio, Marquis del
Castellani killed Mr.. Grayson. He had
traced me here, and had learned of my
employers great wealth; and on the
wedding day he had entered the house
1t was easy enough, there were SO many
going and coming all the morning-and
had secreted himself without first &C
quainting me with his intention, as he
has since confessed he intended to do.
His object was to rob the house without
my aid if possible, lest I might refuse.
and if that should not prove sufficiently
remunerateive, TO compel me to give
my assistance, after my master and
mistress had gone abroad.
t'But the wedding party returned
sooner than he had expected. and Mr..
Gray son, Opening the door, discovered
Antonio at his work. He had already
taken possession Of a bag Of gold-sev-
-eral thousand dollars-with which Mr..
Grayson had provided himself for his
journey, rreferring it to a letter Of
credit. Tle had also taken possession of
a superb set of diamonds, with which
Mr.. Grayson had intended to surprise
his bride on their return from church.
Surprised at the interruption, he turned
and found himself face to face with
Mr.. Grayson, who, instead of calling for
help, sprang at him, the stiletto which
MIR. Grayson still held in his hand, up
lifted.
cit was madness, of course, for Anto-
MO had, in the next moment, without
even the noise of a struggle, wrenched
the weapon from his hand and certain