Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-10

all her tact. T shall not want the cab at present." she said to the footman. 'NTell the man to wait. Lord Derring- ton, if you do not wish these private affairs to be discussed in the presence of the servants we had better return to the library
 When they found themselves in the library Darlington closed the door and older, having aged in a most extraor- dinary manner under the shock of Ire lands information. Mrs. Ward was perfectly cool and resumed her former seat. As to Ireland, he let himself carefully down into the most capacious armchair he could find. Mrs. Ward opened the conversation at once.
 .sYou say you saw me at San Remo?'' she asked.
 'I did,'' replied Ireland in his heavy voice. 1T was there at the time MT. Percy Vane was murdered ID Derring- ton groaned-"and I was at the masked ball where''-
 ''The Veglioni,' said Mrs. Ward. 'sWeil, you were there. You say you saw me2"
 LII Dluc QOnlQO.
 s'There were plenty of blue dominos at that ball. At least should think there were"
 "Yes, but you wore sprig of yellow holly. That was why recognized you when you were masked"
 &'How did you know it was IF
 "Becausa early in the evening you went into box. I was there talking to the Marchesa Beltrami, to whom the box belaSged. You removed your mask, and had ample opportunity to observe you"
 "What reason had you to observe mer' asked Mrs. Ward, just as though she were counsel examining witness.
 tsWell," said Ireland, smoothing his face, t.you see, knew MT. Vane very well. He married woman of whom I was fond" Darlington shifted rest lessly in his chair. "Do not be afraid, Lord Darlington. do not intend to talk of Rosina Lockwood"
 "At present say nothing" was his lordship's reply, and he watched the two faces before him with close atten- ton.
 -AOu 00W 1lC 0AAAuSh IA 1 CCL kd4A box,' said Mrs. Ward quickly. "Do you mean that after all these years, over thirty years, that you recognize me again? was a girl then. I am woman now.o
 Quite SO. But you have a mole on your forehead just above the left eye brow. knew you by that. And then have splendid memory for faces, and yours"- Ireland bowed gallantly- ..is too beautiful to forget easily.'
 Mrs. Ward shrugged her shoulders. ''It's most remarkable memory" she said.
 Tt is, madam,'' assented Ireland. NMy memory was always considered remarkable. And the fact is that was thinking of the murder almost at the moment entered the hall. Conse- quentiy your face was in my minds eye. That made the chance of recog- nizing you more sure. Had not been thinking of old days might not have guessed so readily who you were"
 "Why were you thinking of the mur- der then ?" asked Darlington.
 'Well, my lord, you sent for me to speak with me about George Mrs. Ward gave short laugh, and. nerring- ton smiled stso I was naturally think ing of George; such a thought led to my thinking of his parents, and finally I remembered the circumstance of your son's death, as I thought you might wish to talk of it, and therefore desired to get my memory in order. In this way did recognize the lady," This is all very we'll" said Mrs. Ward. You say you recognize me, MT. Ireland. Is that your name7' Tt is, but your memory is not so good as mine. We met only once. 7 Darlington was not so sure that Mrs. Wards memory was not good, for he remembered how she had tried to get away before the arrival of Ireland. "Go on! Go on" he said irrftably. II wish to know the worst" "The worst is that am supposed to have killed Percy vane," said Mrs. Ward coolly. ESQ you accuse me of thatY' she asked Ireland. By no means. But you were at that ball''
 "I was, in blue domino with a sprig of holly at my breast.
 "And you were with MT. Vane?"
 "No, was not!''
 "You went out with MT. Vane."
 "I did not. It was my sister"
 s'Your sister!'' said Darlington. ''Hahv' And he relapsed into silence. Mrs, Ward shot suspicious look at him, but his inscrutable face betrayed nothing.
 1T remember" said Ireland in g slow, prosy way, sthat there were two Miss Towards at San Rena6A At the Ho- tel d'Angleterre. They were with their father, General Howard. never met them, but MT. Vane went frequently to call at the house."
 "He did" said Mrs. Ward. If by house you mean the hotel. The fact 1 is, my sister Jenny was in love with l Captain Vane"-
 T heard 1t was you," said Ireland dfafrusff,1Ilv ~