The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-17
CHAPTER xI.
Concerns NY Private Affairs.

Concerns My Private Affairs.
What have you found there?" inquired
Amber Jevons,~ quickly interested, and
yet surprised at my determination to con-
ceal it from him. a.
Something that concerns me" re-
piled briefly. rs 49,.
Concerns your he CALCULATED. II
don't understand. How can anything
among the. old mans private papers con-
Germ you ~ &. H.
This concerns me personally I an
swered. " Surely that is sufficient ex-
planation"
No" my friend said. Forgive me;
Ralph Tor speaking quite plainly, but in
this affair we are both working towards
the same end-namey, to elucidate the
mystery. We cannot hope for success if
you are bent upon concealing your dis
coveries from me- sss.s
This is q private affair of my own
declared doggedly. "What have found
only concerns myself :, ~ ~
He shrugged his shoulders with an air
Of distinct dissatisfaction.
Even II it is a purely private matter
we are surely good friends enough to
be cognizant Of one another's secrets, -
he remarked. 5 ~ $50.
''Of course" I, replied obviously, s'but
only up to a, certain point"
Then, in other words, you. imply that
you can't trust me?"~
!. can trust. you, Amber" I answered
calmly. I'VE are the best Of friends, and
hope we shall always be SO. VIII you
not forgive me for refusing to show
you these letters?" -
Il only ask you one question. Have
they anything to do with the matter we
are investigating?''
81 hesitated. With his quick perception
he saw that lie was. not ready upon
my lips. 81
''They have. Your silence tells me so.
Them &s
1 protested again, but he overwhelmed
my arguments. In common fairness to
him I ought not, I knew, to keep back
the truth. And yet It was the greatest
and most terrible blow that had ever fall
en- upon me- He saw that was crushed
and stammering, and he stood by me
wondering.
s'Forgive me, Amber" urged again.
When you have read this letter you
VIII fully understand why I have en-
deavored to conceal It from you; why,
II you Were not present here at this mo-
lnent I would burn them all, and not
leave a trace behind
Then handed it Ito him.
He took 1t eagerly, skinned it through
and started just as had started when
he saw the signature. Upon his face
was a blank expression, and he returned
it to me without 81 word. a
Well?'' asked. 'What is your opin-
ion % = ..,as
MY opinion is the same as your own
Ralph. old fellows" he answered slowly
looking me straight in the face. ut is
amazing startling-tragic'' W..
You think, then; that the motive of the
crime was, jealousy?" ~
The; letter makes lit quite plain" he
answered, huskily. "Give me the others
Let me examine them. know how Sc
we're this blow must be to you, OLD fellow, u
he added sympathetically
Yes, 1T has staggered me-" I STAN
mered. "Ims utterly dumbfounded by the
unexpected revelation" and / handed him
the packet of correspondence, which he
placed upon the table; and, seating him
self, commenced eagerly to examine lette,
after letter. ,y;st
While he was thus engaged took ur
the first letter and read through-right
to the bitter end:
It Twas apparently the last of a long cor
respondence, for all the letters were ar
ranged ehronologfcaHy, and this was the
last of the packet. Written from Neneford
Manor, Northampt onshire, and vaguely
dated "Wednesday, ''ta as is a woman's
habit, it, was addressed to Mr., CourtenaH
and ran as follows:
Words cannot express my contempt fol
a man who breaks his word as easily as
you break yours. "A year ago, when you
We're my fathers guest, you told me that
you loved me, and urged me to marry YOU
At first I laughed at your PROPOSAL; Their
when 1 found you really serious, pointed
out the difference Of our ages. You, ir