The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31

she said 10 herself, springing UP from the
sofa She went and stood by the open
window, leaning her hot cheek against the
cool pane Of glass. and looked out over the
square. The moon had risen. It was almost
as light as day. She could see right across
tie square.
: knock came at the door. The waiter
announced that Mr.. Kemble was waiting
below TO know whether Miss Gresham
would see him.
"Show him up said Lucy, listlessly. 80
soon," she added to herself. looking at the
clock, which had only just turned the quar-
ter. She was still standing by the open
window when her visitor was shown in.
The moonlight played upon her pretty hair
and upon the long, delicate folds of her
gown.
Mr. Kemble." announced the waiter. and
Jack walked into the room.
Lucy started. She had taken a step for
ward to meet her guest, but she stopped.
II think there is some mistake" she said.
II am expecting a Mr.. Kemble, but you are
not the man.
Pardon me, Miss Gresham" said Jack.
There is a mistake, a very serious mis-
take, which 1 am come 10 set right. 1 am
John Kemble, the son of Henry Kemble, OF
Boston. 1 have discovered that a man has
been assuming my name and making use of
certain things belonging to me in order to
further deceive. You, Miss Gresham, 1
have reason to fear, have been in some
measure his dupe. I have come to unde-
ceive you If possible. l can only guess, in
a great measure. what his plans have
BEEN"
"Wfn you come and sit DOWN." said Lucy,
turning on the light.
She saw her visitor then for the first time,
and was struck by his earnest, expressive
face. his skin was tanned by sea and sun.
He had well-marked features and an ath-
letic figure, and his whole presence seemed
to breathe of the open air. His was a face
which inspired confidence. You seemed to
feel that he was upright and true.
please tell me all that you know" said
Lucy, as she sat down opposite to him.
IF you will forgive me 1 must make
rather a long story Of t." he returned. Il
must begin before the death Of my father,
which took place in Boston last August.
One afternoon, a few days before he died,
he handed me a small packet. and said:
Take this into your possession and open
1T when L am gone
II took the packet and locked it in the
drawer OF the writing table in the library,
and, as 1 had much on my mind at that
time, thought no more about ii for some
days. About a week after his death 1 re-
membered it and went and opened the en-
velope. 1t contained a letter and a ring.
The ring was a curious one. like the one
you are now wearing"
81 have read the letter." said Lucy. col
oring.
''Then my worst suspicious Of Kant are
realized" said he. But to continue my
story. l pushed both ring and letter back
into the envelope. but unfortunately forgot
I. lock the drawer. Just then a man called
Kant was shown into the room. 1 knew
him slightly, as my father had helped hin.
from time to time, feeling sorry that a man
of his ability should not have succeeded bet
ter in life. l had felt for some time that
my father was being imposed upon, and
that the man was a scamp. L determined
that he should have no help from me. He
came on this particular day with "A very
plausible story, but l was firm and said he
need not further apply to me when in diff
Guilty. Before i had finished speaking TO
him I was called from the room a moment.
bAAA VIZ u 80 A1 was OF IAo dORA .
ready 20 so. / dismissed him, locked up
my drawers and went out. About a week
later 1 opened the particular drawer in
which I had placed the packet. and found
it had gone. My co-nsternation was great.
for l had suspicious Of Kant. and 1 saw at
once that II he had taken the packet great
power lay in the hands Of a villain. More
over, I had missed a check from the same
drawer. and this made me doubly anxious.
Forgive me asking. Miss Gresham. but did
he not assume my name and make use Of
that letter and ring?"
Yes said Lucy, "he did. I can never
thank you enough for coming tonight to
tell me all this"
81 am only too glad IL 1 am able TO save
you from any unpleasantness,'' said he. cit
seems too bad that the letter. which 1
should have scrupled 10 make any use OF
myself. should have fallen into the hands
Of a man like Kant. I followed him to Eng
land. and have now traced him back to
New York. Perhaps you can give me some
idea where he is now"
Yes. / can" said the girl, trembling.
II am expecting him this evening to re-
ceive my answer to his proposal OF mar
riage."
"wil you allow me 20 meet him and deal
with him?'' said he.
Nothing will please mo better" she re-
turned.
They waited FOR some time. At last the
clock struck Q, and almost Immediately q
knock came at the door. Lucy went out on
20 the balcony. where she was out OF sight,
but could hear everything that went on in
the room.
Mr.. Kemble," announced the waiter. and
Kant walked into the room. He came I'm
with a smile. expecting 10 see Lucy, but
when his glance fell upon Jack instead he
started back. and for IA moment was speech
less.
81 am n little surprise for you. Kant"
said Jack. quietly.
Yes" he returned. II had not hoped for
this pleasure
II think you are one OF the biggest scoun-
drels on the face OF the earth!" said Jack.
his temper rising. Produce that letter and
take that ring of your finger before I am
tempted 20 knock you down."
IL don't see why l should obey your re-
quests said Kant. with a sheer.
II will show you why" said Jack, draw
ing a paper from his pocket and crossing