Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-11

hemian OF institutions.
without ceremony l threw open the door
Of my sitting room and entered, but next
instant stood still. for seated in my chair
patiently awaiting me was the slim. we'll
dressed figure of Mary Courtenay. Her
widows weeds became her we'll, and as she
rose with a rustic Of silk. a bright Taught
rippled from her lips, and che said:
II know I'm an unexpected visitor. Doc
tor. but you'll forgive my calling in this
manner, won't your"
Forgive you? OF course I answered;
and with politeness, which I confess was
felgned, l invited her to be seated. True
to the promise made to her husband, she
had lost no time in coming to see me, and
l was fortunately we'll aware Of the purport
Of her errand.
81 had no idea you were in London" I
said, by way Of allowing her to explain the
object Of her visit, for in the light OF the
knowledge / had gained on the Meme bank
two nights previously her call was OF con-
siderable interest.
I'm only up for a couple OF days" she
answered. London has not the charm for
me that It used to have" and she sighed
heavily, as though her mind we're crowded
by bitter memories. Then raising her veil
and revealing her pale, handsome face, she
said bluntly: "The reason Of my call is to
talk to you about E~thelwynn."
well, what Of herr" l asked, looking
straight into her face and noticing for the
first time a curious. shifty look In her eyes.
such as l had never before noticed In her.
She tried foreman calm, but by the nerv-
Gus twitching Of her fingers and OF her
lower lip l knew that within her was con-
cealed a tempest Of conflicting emotions.
7 speak very frankly. Ralph she said
in a calm, serious voice, II don't think you
are treating her honorably, poor girl. You
seem to have forsaken her altogether, and
the neglect has broken her heart"
mo, Mrs. Courtenay; you misunderstood
the situation" I protested. That I have
neglected her slightly l admit; neverthe-
less, the neglect was not willful, but owing
to my constant occupation in my practice"
"She's desperate. Besides, it's common
talk that you've broken off the engage
ment."
Gossip does not affect me, therefore why
should she take any heed of tire
well, she loves you. That you know
quite well. You surely could not have been
deceived in those days at Kew. for her de-
votion to you was absolute and complete"
She was pleading her sisters cause. Just as
Courtenay had directed her. I felt annoyed
that she should thus ~endeavor to Impose
upon me. yet saw the folly of betraylng the
fact that I knew her secret. My Intention
was to wait and watch.
81 called at the Hennikers' a couple of
days ago. but Ethelwynn is no longer there.
She's gone into the country 1t SEEMS I
remarked.
"Where tor" she asked, quickly.
She's visiting someone near Hereford. "
oh" she exclaimed. as though a sudden
light dawned upon her. 81 know, then.
Why, l wonder, did she not tell me. 1 in
tended to call on her this evening, but II
is useless. I'm glad tc know, for I don't
care much for Mrs. Henniker. She's such
a very shallow woman"
"~Ethelwynn seems to have wandered
about a good deal since the sad affair at
Kew" l observed.
Eyes, and so have l." she responded.
A you are we'll aware, the blow wate such
g terrible one TO me that-that somehow 1
feel / shall never get over it-never!" I
saw tears, genuine tears, yelling in her
eyes. II she could betray emotion in that
manner she was surely a wonderful actress.
thine will efface your sorrow" I said,
in a voice meant to be sympathetic. "In
a year or two your grief will not be so
| pOlBudhbt H II past Will bIduuhllg lhuO
from your memory. 1t is always So"
She shook her head mournfully.
mo- she said, ''for in addition to my
grief there is the mystery of 1t ala mys-
terry that grows each day more and more
lnscrutable."
1 glanced at her sharply in surprise.
Was she trying to mislead me, or were her
! words spoken in real earnest? I could not
determine.
YES" I acquiesced. 9TH mystery is as
complete as ever"
Has no single clue been found, either
by the police or by your friend-Jevons is,
l think. his name?" she asked with keen
anxiety.
lone or two facts have, I believe,
been elucidated." l answered. "But the
mystery still remains unsolved."
"As It ever will be-" she added with a
sigh which appeared to me to be one of sat
isfaction rather than of regret. "The de-
tails were so cleverly arranged that the
police have been bafied in every endeayor.
IS not that so?" \
l nodded in the affirmative.
And your friend Jevons? Has he given
up all hope OF any satisfactory discovery? -
II really don't know" I answered. "I
have not seen him for quite a long time.
anu III any Cdse ne mas tOld me nothing re-
garding the result Of his Investigations. It
is his habit to be mute until he has gained
some tangible result"
A puzzled, apprehensive expression
crossed her white brow for a moment; then
It vanished into a pleasant smile, as she
asked in confidence:
Now, tell me, Ralph, what is your own
private opinion OF the situation?"
We'll. II is both complicated and pulling.
II we could discover any reason for the
brutal deed we might get a clue to the as
%sassin, but as far as the police have been
able to gather, 1t seems hat there is an
entire absence OF motive, hence the i'm
possibility Of carrying the inquiries fur
Their"
Then the investigation is actually
dropped?" she exclaimed, unable to further
conceal her anxiety.
Il presume that il is" 7 replied.
Her chest heaved slightly, and slowly
fell again. By it's movement knew that
my answer allowed her to breathe more
freely.
you also believe that your friend Jevons
has been compelled. owing to negative re-
suits, to r~elinquish his enorts?" she asked.
such is my opinion. But l have not seen
him lately in order to consult him"
In silence she listened to my answer, and
was evidently treasured by It. Yet I could