The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
L.eOnce SDeaks.

For many happy minutes Clarice for
got everything in the world except that
Shirley's arms embodied her, n thai
nothing but death could yer part them
again.
Then, slowly, came the knowledge
I'll at others were near, and that serious,
perhaps terrible matters. were to be
talked over. She did not withdraw her.
self from her lover, but h 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, n though
tingling with rage and disappointment.
he had already determined to make the
best of things, and pick UP all that he
could from the wreck Of hfs hopes and
schemes.
Hantlin told Mrs. Grayson, as briefly
as possible, of the discovery and cap
ture of Philip Grayson's murderer, con-
Guiding: ,
"And now it only remains to find the
young Frenchwoman. and, if possible,
to make her tell all that she knows on
the subject. There is circumstantial
evidence enough to hang the man, but
she is cur only living witness"
Claricc looked up quickly, and her
gaze made a rapid survey of the room.
She had forgotten Leorce, but she now
remembered that the French maid had
beer voluntarily awaiting the arrival of
the detective, whom she had been ex-
pecting with even more confidence h
her mistress. .
AS Clarice looked about, the heavy,
dark velvet curtain before h window
ywayed and parted, and Leonce stepped
out.
IT am here, monsieur" she said, and
waiting to speak,"
The detective started, and a thrill,
halr of pain, half pleasure, went
through him. He grew pale, n his
eyes glowed with feeling al they fell on
her worn and pallid face.
w are ready to hear you miss-that
Is, mademoiselle-and anxious, too" he
said, brokenly. "But, excuse me. you
look too sick to stand. Won't o sit
down?" ard he moved a chair toward
her as he spoke.
Cls~ice smiled slightly. She had al
ready suspected the state Of Detective
EIantlin's feelings. But Leonce, though
she thanked him with a grateful look,
refused the chair, being too well 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, I hurried
to warn that mani cannot name him;
but, believe me, it was not because I
love him still. No; I loathe and fear
him-at least, I did; but the thought of
the father of my child-my beautiful
Tonio-dying on the scaffold, made me
frantic, and I felt that I had clumsily
betrayed him to you in speaking of n
stiletto.
"I told him he was suspected. Il babe
him save himself, and then I fed to my
child. I found him i'll. My good friend
who had charge of him said the attack
was sudden-it had come on within the
hour-but it was dangerous, being Group
Of the worst kind.
my heart sank, for 1t seemed to me
tlke a 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, UNI
mindful that +, too, ought to be merci7
tul. But 7 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 ne
lived-alas! he was his fathers child!
{ dare not think of it.
ct buried him this morning, and over
his grave I vowed to do what 1 thought
was right. Yes, madam. h 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.
ouainting me with his intention, as he
has since confessed he intended to do.
His object was to rob h house without
my aid. IL possible, lest I might refuse.
and IL that should not prove sufficiently
remunerateive, 10 compel me to give
my assistance, after my master and
mistress had gone abroad.
"But the wedding party returned
sooner than he had expected. and Mr..
Grayson, Opening the door, discovered
Antonio at his work.. He had already
taken possession Of a bag of gold-sev-
eral thousand ,dollars-Twith which Mr..
Grayson had provided himself for his
Journey, preferring 1t to a letter Of
credit. He had also taken possession OF
q superb set Of diamonds, with which
Mr.. Grayson had intended to surprise
his bride on their return from church.
Surprised at the interruption. Returned
and found himself face to face with
MI. Grayson,s who, instead Of calling Tor
help, sporang at him, the stilettos which
Mr.. Grayson still held IN his hand
lifted. III s#a s
..It was madness re course for sAnto.
MO had, inSthe next moment, without
even the noise Of q struggle. wrencheds
the weapon from his hand, and, certain
Of discovery after: being 80 distinctly
seen by the victim, plunged the long
knife i his throat up ~ the hit. 14r.s;
sGrayson tell Backward rom the s1orcs
81 the blow. Hasnddsneyerl nncyedStalgakn.
1.-THE deed once lone, III ntolado kneM
~ earet-Guch desperate M,