Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18

W. S's . .ss,,...,t
clean-shaven man, whose face, without
being handsome, revealed the posses
sion by it's owner Of intelligence and a
sensitive nature. His eyes were frank
ly ohservant, and his demeanor was
one of alertness and vigOr.
YES" proceeded exDetective Morri-
son, 81 suppose it will ever be bit or
mystery to my late colleagues of the
Criminal Investigation Department
that 1 who had confessedly done much
excellent work should have renounced
my career when my prospects were
most promising. "What! Going to re-
sign" exclaimed the Commissioner.
You who largely assisted to secure the
arrest of the authors of the De Mallin-
court paste-jewel frauds, who discov-
cred the Hampstead poisoners, and
who successfully traced the interna-
tional banknote forgers to their den?
1T certainly did seem strange, and 1
dared not explain. Are you listening
Well, what mystified Scotland Yard
shall be made clear to you.
early in life 1 became enamoured
of the idea of a detectives career. 1
was eternally picturing myself as an
avenging instrument of outraged JUS
tice, rescuing innocent beauty from the
grasp of remorseless scoundrelism, Win
ming the plaudits of the world and the
smile of virtue-you know the kind of
thing that springs from the imagination
of sensitive youth.
orphans. We had been given into the
custody of a half-brother of my faith
er's, as good and generous a fellow as
ever lived, considerate as father, and
naturally less exacting in checking any
of our original sins. He had a daugh-
ter, Ethel; and it was Ethel, sweet
EtheP'-here the narrator made an emo
tional pause - "who uncOnsciously
weaved herself into all my imaginary
acts of heroism.
Il lived the ordinary life of young
man, helping my uncle in his business
and taking part In no more escapades
than do most fellows of twenty.
wasn't what's termed a mollycoddle-
not at all; but the mere presence of
Ethel and my sister Rose was re-
straint upon any eXtravagant foolish
ness.
They were a strange contrast in ap-
pearance. Rose was as dark as any
Egyptian, with heavily-arched brows,
eyes that sparkled with vitality, hair
that nestled low upon the forehead;
she was impetuous, eager. child of
impulse Ethel was as fair as the
morning sun-a clinging, easily
trusting maid who seemed to lean for
support on Rose.
Rose was my elder. and she lavished
a passionate affection upon me. Ethel
apparently reflected it in less vehe-
ment and in more regulated manner.
"Whcn | quilted Northington to join
the force | little thought that Roses
passion must have another outlet, and
that in its turbulence it might over
whelm my darling Ethel, now secretly
half-plighted to me.
"'Yes, Morrison said my chief,
these are the cutest and cleverest
frauds we have had to deal with for
some time. The notes are so accurate
ly executed as to deceive even the
smartest of bank-clerks. OF course a
thorough expert, If he were to examine
them closely. would detect a variation
.,,.l~ To-,
graphical peculiarities of genuine
note; but that variation is soslight that
even he might be deceived. By the
way. not a few Of these notes have been
In circulation at your native place,
Northington. However you have got
charge Of the case
.sMy heart leaped at the thought of
Northington. My sister Rose had been
suddenly married to a gentleman whom
I had never seen. but whose name did
not impress me. 1t was Hubert Feath-
erstone Maitland. l had not been able
to attend the wedding because 1 was in
Paris inquiring into the De Mallincourt
frauds. Rose was wildly enthusiastic
about her husband; she rhapsodised
over his goodness, generosity, affection
for her, and his unvarying devotion
How had she met him? He was stay
ing at the county hotel and so ingra-
tiated himself with some of the towns
men that he got invited to the annual
bachelors ball. Within five months he
and Rose were married. Didn't know
something about his family? Well.
Rose wrote enthusiastically about his
brother, Hugh Featherstone Maitland.
and somehow began TO fear for Ethel.
81 did not so to Northington. for on
arriving at my lodgings, after the in
terview with the chief, l had a wire
from Rose-or rather from Mrs. Matt
thanksgiving that | might expect call
from her at any moment. She was then