The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-07-04

NY story is in effect finished. But
for the satisfaction of those who would
like to see the loose ends OF its web
taken up and tied must add page or
two.
After legal process of identification
and inquest, the CHASTITY remains of the
two partners, Lacroix and Stehhardt,
the victim and his murderer, we're
buried, the one with his uncle in the
family tomb, the other in the obscure
unconsecrated ground of the church
yard. This done, the affairs OF the
firm were wound up.
In the necessary examination of all
rapers some letters and documents were
found in small safe in Steinhardt's
"study" at Timperley Hall, which suf-
ficiently explain what still needs ex-
PLANTATION in the Lacroix mystery-the
substantial ground of offense on which
the partners met on that fatal night,
and the unwavering resolution of Stein
hardt to get Louise married to his son.
The letter which came first in order OF
date made clear one side at least of the
quarrel. II was from Lacroix to'Stein-
hardt, and was dated "Paris, March
3rd, 1882" II was evidently in reply
to one from Steinhardt, containing
proposal affecting Louise-what pro-
posal will readily be guessed. This
Mr.. Lacroix warmly declined to enter
tain, and begged it would not again be
mentioned.
"My daughter" he wrote, sis prom
ised to her cousin, the Count De La
croix. AS for the 1000 pounds dam
ages, that must be reckoned joint bus
mess loss; there can surely be no doubt
about that. hope we have done for
the future with playing tricks with that
patent"
The next letter, Of date several days
later, was Of great interest, at least to
Louise and me. 1t was stained and
blurred as with some liquid dye; it had
doubtless been taken by Steinhardt
from Lacroix's person after death. 1t
was addressed to "Mmlle De Lacroix;"
it was written on fine "foreign" paper
with crest and motto, and contained
many gallant and polite. expressions Of
the Count De Lacroix's devotion to his
lovely cousin--whom, he said, he hoped
to come and see in the summer. How
was it he had never come?-never even
been heard Of?
These questions were answered by a
second letter from the count, dated in
May, 1882, and addressed to Mr.. La
croix, and by the postscript Of letter
of about the same date, written in Ger
man though from Paris, and addressed
to Steinhardt. The counts letter ex-
cused him to his "dear uncle' from
paying his proposed visit; he was too
ill to think of leaving France. The
letter to Steinhardt was evidently from
compatriot. 1t was mainly about
business affairs; its matter OF interest
for us was squeezed into a corner :
"You ask me about the Count De La
croix. learn he is still busy killing
himself with absinthe.
Lastly came the astonishing commu-
nication OF all. 1t was dated several
months later, in the November, think,
of 1882. 1t was from Paris lawyer,
who evidently had the management of
the De Lacroix affairs. In few words,
I it informed Mr.. Lacroix that the young
Count Honore was dead, and saluted
Count Paul, his successor ("Le roi
est mort ;-vive 10 roi." And the con-
graduated count was dead too! With
this letter were tied up two or three
legal documents, of which | cannot at
tempt much account, though they are
now in my possession. They were a
copy of certificate of the death OF Hon.
ore Marie Antoinettc, Count De La
croix, and certain papers showing Of
what the De Lacroix property consisted
chateau, estates and rents --and with
them, finally, later note from the
lawyer to Steinhardt, who had evil
IDENTIFY apprised him OF Mr.. Lacroix's
Disappearance" and of the half.fact
that in the meanwhile he was guardian
Of Paul's heiress.
"By George!" exclaimed Birley, when
we had made this discovery, "but
Manuel was tough schemerl He was
determined to set his lad up as a
French count, with chateau and all
the rest o't!"
ventured to doubt whether Louise's
husband would be Count De Lacroix,
though Louise certainly was the inher-
itriy of the chateau and the rest.
"Do you mean to tell me, then, the
lass is not a countess2" he exclaimed.
That | could not declare, though |
was certain no hsndsomer or sweeter
countess could be found in the whole
wide world.
"True for you, my lad, +" said he;
"and you're in the luck of it."
Birley was eager to go home at once
to tell Louise all about it tshe was
again established in his house, with
Mrs. SteinhardD. He wished me to
go with him to assist in the explana.
ton; l endeavored to excuse myself,
but in vain.
"Come, lad" said he, 81 can see
what you're thinking. Keep a sitter
back, man; do not you be so shy your
self. See--tha-I saw duke once-a
great Scotch duke--and he was the
misunderstanding tailor-b body ever you
saw in all your life. II you cannot
max better count, once you get used
to it, than he made duke, I'll eat my
hat. lad"
"Ah, hal" cried Birley, in his CHEEKY
voice, 81 have a word to say unto thee,
my ladyw
(Which of us do you mean, Mr..
Birley2" she asked.
(which of you2 Well, Sally might
have had to do with it, but as it hap
pens she hasn't. Imean thee, my lady
countess"
"Countess?" she exclaimed. "Why,
what has amused you, Mr.. Birley?"
al do not quite know" said |, wish.
ing to get the explanation over, that
Mr.. Birley is right to call you countess,
but we have found evidence that your
cousin the count is dead, and that you,
being next in succession, inherit the De
Laroix chateau and other property.
You are great French heiress, Louise,
whether YOU are countess or not"
"Me2" she cried. "Oh, what
strange thing is this?"
Birley sat down and entered into ex-
PLANTATION, while l withdrew to the
window.
oSo my LADY ~ concluded Rirlav