The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-24

in secret at Notwithstanding with him
by that solitary ,by-path along which no
.Vlllager ever passed after dark, and low
crs avoided because of the popular tradi-
ton that a certain unfortunate Lady of
the Manor of century ago walked
there. In the fact of the mourning so
well feigned | detected the conccalment
of some remarkable secret.
The situation was, without doubt, an
extraordinary one. The man upon whose
body had made q post-mortem cxamina :.
ton was alive and well. walking with his
wife, although for months before his as
sassination he had been a bed-ridden in-l
valid. Such thing was startling, increda
lble! Little wonder was it that at first I
could scarce believe my own eyes. Only
when l looked full into his face and
recognized his features, with all their
senile peculiarties, did the amazing truth
become impressed upon me.
Around the bend in the river 1 stole
stealthily after them, in order to watch
their, movements, trying to catch their
conversation, although, unfortunately, it
was in too low all undertone. He never
released her arm or changed his affection
ate attitude towards her. but appeared
to be relating to her some long and in
teresting cha in of events to which she lis
tened with rapt attention. vi
Along the rivers edge. out in the open
moonlight, it was difficult to follow them
without risk of observation. Now and
then the elder bushes and dropping will
lows afforded cover beneath their deep
shadow, but in places where the river
wound through the open water meadows
my presence might at any moment be
detected Therefore the utmost ingenuity
and caution were necessary.
Having made the staggering discovery
I was determined to thoroughly probe the
mystery. The tragedy of old Mr.. Cour-
tenays death had resolved itself into a
r-f,t1 rf tl,r, ,i,>,,e -
startling character. AS L crept forward
over the grass often on tiptoe. SO, as to
avoid the sound of my footballs, I tried
to form some theory to account for the
bewildering circumstances, but could dis
Germ absolutely none.
Mary was still wearing her mourning
but about her head was wrapped white
silk shawl. and on her shoulders a small
fur cape, for the spring night was chilly
Her husband had on dark overcoat and
soft felt hat, Of the type he always wore
and carried in his hand a light walking
stick, Once twice he halted when he
seemed to be impressinG his words the
more forcibly upon her. and then ! was
compelled to stop also and to conceal my
self | would have given much to over
hear the trend of their converse ton. but
strive how l would I was unable. They
seemed to fear eavesdroppers, and only
spoke in low half-whispers.
[ noticed how. old Mr. Cot,rtenay kept
from time to time ,glancing around him.
though in fear of detection; hence I
was in constant dread lest he should look
behind him and discover me sinking along
their path. l am by,no means an adept at
following persons. but in this case the
stake was SO great-the revelation of some
startling and unparalleled mystery--tha t.
| strained every nerve and every muscle
to conceal my presence while pushing for
ward after them.
Picture to yourself for a moment my
position. The whole of my future happi-
ness and consequently my prosperity i'll
life was at stake at that moment. TO
clear up, the mystery successfully might
be to clear my love of the awful stigma
upon her. To wa tch and to listen was the
only way. but the difficulties in the dead
silence of the night were wel1-nish insur-
mountable, for dare not approach suffici
entity near to tch a single word 1 had
crept on after them for about a mile, until
we were approaching the trmhliEg aters
of the weir The dull roar swallowed up
the sound of their voices, but it assisted
me. for ] had no further need to tread
noiselessly
On nearing the lcck-keeper,s cottage. "a,
little white washed house wherein the in
mates were sleeping soundly, they made
a. wide detour around the meadow in
order to avoid, the change of being seen
Mary was well known to the old lock +
keeper. who had controlled those great
sluices for thirty years or more. and she
knew that at night he was often com
PEELED to be on duty. and might at that
very moment be sitting on the bench OUT
side his house, smoking his short clay.
I. however. had no such fear. Stepping
lightly upon the grass beside the path
I went past the house and continued on
ward by the riverside. passing at oIlee into
the deep shadow of the alders which effec-
I,tually concealed me.
| The pair were walking at the same slow
deliberate pace beneath the high hedge on
the further side of the meadow, evidently
intending to rejoin the riSerpath some
distance further up. This gave me an
| opportunity to get on in front of them
and seized It without delay, for was