The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-13

The Missing Man
Copyright by Lee & Shepard
Thrilling Tale of Mystery Dealing with Startling Phase OF
Hypnotic InHu and Doub
"Constance. my wife.''

Constance my wife,"
And she opened her eyes and looked at
him. vaguely at first, then with a question
ing, haf-frightened manner
The man gazed into her face as If he
would drink his fill of her sweet Inca
ments. There was no doubt Of his feelings
for her, thought the man who stood watch
ing him, and yet, he recollected, he had
thought the husbands manner colder at
the outset than the wife's- Now it was the
reverse. The eager gaze did not seem
TO please her, and she drew away her
hand
gravely, for she was now quite recovered.
You are right, Constance, and this is
not the place for you now and he glanced
Casual as was the look, it brought the
color to her face, and she arose and drew
down her veil.
My wife was premature he said to
Mr.. Allen. I'VE will make it right with
you"
"Oh. yes. certainly Glad to know there
Mr. Hamilton and his wife passed out
together and up the street to their house,
both silent. both evidently constrained by
deep emotions of which they did not speak
the one TO the other till they reached the
Hamilton grounds
Mr.. Hamilton held open the gate for his
wife 10 enter, and IL reacted with bang
that made her start nervously.
you are not WELL" said her husband.
land no wonder"
'No. 1 am not well, and, as you say. it
is no wonder
They were soon at the door. and they en-
tered the house together, but Constance
with hesitating step. Finally, as they
stood side by side in the sitting room, she
whirled suddenly about and cried hysteri-
cally:
Why did you leave me? Why did you
She looked lovelier than ever in her
abandonment. and he took a step nearer
as If he would have taken her into ibis his
something he saw in her face, or other
cause, was not apparent. Instead. he took
her hand and carried it to his lips, as he
said
Constance. can you believe 1 would leave
you willingly? By heavens! you are the
most beautiful woman l ever saw" walk
ing away from her in great agitation. But
you are tired. Your uncle will be here to-
night. L will explain all then. Meanwhile,
you must rest. Go to your room and
will sit here"
She looked at him gratefully Then as
If a sudden recollection seized her she
murmured something about the children.
Yes, they will be home from school
soon, suppose. I must wait. They will
find | have not forgotten their commits
sions." he said. smiling.
Constance stood watching him while he
talked, and then, with a dazed, question
ing look in her eyes, walked toward the
door. L will do as you say" she said,
for L am very tired.
His look followed her from the ROOM
Then, as the swish of her long. sillxen
gown died away and the door closed be-
HlHu HeI, lie turned MS lace away ana
struck his breast with his clenched hand
but no word broke the stiffness.
Perfectly immovable and rigid, he stood
in the middle of the room for several min
utes. Then he walked about examining
the pictures, books and the view from the
window, as is the way with one who has
beer long absent.
And upstairs in her own room, with her
door locked, Constance lay on her bed with
wide-open eyes gazing at the ceiling and
thinking, studying. And still on her face
was the dazed, half-frightened expression
she had worn downstairs indeed, since
she recovered her consciousness in the
office of the marble cutting establishment.