The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-03-29
CHAPTER XvIII.-(Continued.)

slip Of paper. which he folded and hand
ed to the visitor.
Shall I not require the document
gave you as an Introduction to the par
~" insinusted the gentleman.
Not at all The paper you have In
your hand will be sufficient introduction.
Good morning.
In another minute Mr. Montgomery
was descending the dingy staircase.
Just the same az Of Old he mnttered:
hard as nails-not to he moved. Awk-
ward their sticking to that bit OF paper
not that it is ever likely to be found
cut. They did not half believe in It.
But. cunning as they are. they are done
they did not suspect me. How famil-
lar this old ramshackle place looks to
me, although It's many year since !
saw it last Its mouldy walls suggest
NO very Agreeable retrospect
While he was thus muttering his
thoughts. he left the building aud passed
ont of the court into the open thorough
fare. Then he opened the paper that the
lawy er had given him and read the ad-
dress. The words were. Madame Berne,
Ivy Cottage. Ivy Road. Highbury"
Had that paper informed him that
rusal could not have cast upon his face
q more marked expression Of dismay.
For a moment he stood rooted to the
spot; and when jostled by a rough passer-
by. went back into the court to stare at
the writing and recover from the shock.
Great heavens!" he calculated. 'Is II
possible What can this mean! Who Is
this Silas Carston, then? Can this wom-
common; and the same lawyers. too. But
why has she left The Willows? | must
fathOm this mystery"
He stood musing silently for some
moments. and gradually an expression
Of dark determination settled upon his
face.
"Ill do t." he muttercd again. "Ill
face her once more. although | would
as soon face tiger in her den.'
He buttoned his coat across his hrea st
with a jerk. drew on his gloves and walk
ed rapidly on, with the air OF iran
thoroughly resolved.
Ivy Cottage was q small. gloomy look
Ing house. covered with the dark leaves
Of the plant from which It took it's name !;
q shriveIled holly tree and n large, I'M
trimmed lime. threw yet deeper shad-
ow upon the building II WAS rem
nsnt Of bygone days. when Highhury
WAS a country place: and II looked like
4 meanly dressed. old-fashioned woman,
In gay crowd. amidst the glaring stucco
aud white paint OF the new villas that
were dotted on each side OF it.
Mr. Montgomery pulled up short. as
he saw ivy Cottage" inscribed upon
the gate post OF this shabby looking
dwelling. lie felt more nervous than
ever. He drew ont his handkerchief.
took OF his hat wiped his face and
fdgeted with his coat. At last he made
the plunge. opened the garden gate.
walked up the path and rang the house
bell.
His summons was answered by sol
emu looking servsput. Madame Rerne
was Mt home: but she could not See
strangers. Would he send in his bust
ness!
He desired her to say that he came
from Messrs. FogIe & Quick. Of Grny's
Inn, and that his business related to a
certain advertisement which had appear
ed in the morning newspapers. The
woman shut the door in his face and left
him standing upon the steps while she
delivered his message.
Any person who had stood beside him
might have heard the humping of his
heart against his side. Again he took
out his handkerchief. and wiped away
the Precipitation that stood in large
beads upon his face; yet the morning
was raw and cold
After the lapse Of about a minute. the
door rropened. and he was nnrshalled
by the solemn servant into the front par
lor there to await Madame Rerne's an
psHrance. 1t was gloomy room. the
walls were covered with a dingy. dark
paper. the furniture was old fashioned
In form. and mostly of oak. The trees
In front threw In II black shadow. and
obscured the daylight. MIR. Mont gon"ry
seated himself with his back to the win
dow. and In that position his features
were indstinct to any person coming
into the room.