The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-08-11

not thought OF sufficient imports nee to
mention to any one else. but which it
may interest you to hear about"
Here | took from book l held a
piece of blotting paper. 1t was white
on one side and blue on the other. The
white side had thickly chalked,
though this was not apparent. Laying
down this piece of blotting paper,
chalked side up. on the end Of n large
table near which we were standing, |
took out an envelope from my pocket
and. shaking it gently to and fro, re-
marked:
I'm an upper room of the Moore
house--you remember the southwest
chamber. slrI"
All. didn't he. There was no mis-
donbting the quick emotion-the
shrinking and the alarm with which
he heard this room mentioned.
1T was in that room that I found
these"
Tipping up the envelope. I scattered
over the face of the blotter a few of
the glistening particles | had collected
from the place nentioned.
He bent over rtcm. astonished: then,
as was natural, brushed them together
in heap with the tips of his fingers
and leaned to look again just as I
breathcd heavy sigh which scattered
them far and wide.
Instinctively he withdrew his hand,
whercupon | embraced the opportunity
of turning the blotter over, uttering
meanwhile the most profuse apologies.
Then. as If anxious not to repeat my
misadventure. let. the blotter lie
where it was. and. pouring out the few
remaining particles into my palm, /
held them toward the light in such a
way that ne was compelled TO lean
across the table in order to see them.
Naturally, for | had planned the dis
tance well. his finger tips, white with
the chalk he had unconsclously ham
died, touched the blue surface of the
blotter now lying uppermOst and left
their marks there
could have shouted in my elation
ut the success of this risky maneuver,
but managed 10 suppress my emotion
and 10 stand quite still while he took
good look at the filings. They seemed
TO have great and unusual interest for
him, and IL was with no ordinary emo
ton that he finally asked
What do yJu make out OF these, and
why do you bring them herc?"
My answer was written under his
hand, but this il was far from my pol
icy TO impart. SO, putting on my friend
liest air, l returned, with suitable re-
spect:
Il don't know what to make of them.
They look like gold, but that is for you
TO decide. DO you want them. sirT'
NO" he replied, starting erect and
Withdrawing his hand from the blot
ter. It's but a triie-not worth our
attention. But | thank you just the
same for bringing it TO my notice"
And again his manner became a plain
dismissal
This time l accepted IL as such with
out question. Carccssly restoring the
piece of blotting paper 10 the book
from which ! had taken II, l made a
bow and withdrew toward the door.
He seemed to be thinking and the deep
burrows which | am sure had been
lacking from his brow a week previous
became startlingly visible. Finally he
| observed:
Mrs. Jeffrey was not in her right
mind when she so unhappily took her
! life. | see now that the change in her
dates back 10 her wedding day; conse-
quently any little peculiarity she may
have shown at that time is not to be
wondered at"
Certainly not" ! boldly ventured,
| III such peculiaritles were shown aft
er the fright given her by the catas-
trophe which took place in the library"
His eyes, which were fixed on mine,
! flashed, and his hands closed convul-
siyely.
I'VE will not consider the subject"
he muttered, reseating himself In the
chair from which he had risen.
bowed again and went out. l did
not dwell on the interview in my own
mind, nor did ! allow myself TO draw
any conclusions from 1t till had car
ried the blotter into the southwest
chamber OF the Moore house and care
fully compared the impressions made
on it with the marks l had scratched
on the surface of the mantelshelf
This did by laying the one over tht
other after having made holes wher'
his finger tips had touched the blOtter
The holes in the bl0tter and thu
marks outlined upon the shelf coincid
ed exactly.
CHAPTER TX.
- HAVE already mentioned the mar