Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-12-28
ONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, THURSDAY

mitted to his rooms. He asked her
what could have been her object I'D
taking the letter.
Nothing, nothing" acquiesced Jen'
ny, Totally unnerved and dishearteneu
by this last misadventurc, UNLESS
she suddenly cried, "she was acting for
the detectives"
Mr.. Degraw looked startled.
81 hate to think it," said he. "She
has washed for me several weeks, ana
has been more than once alone in my
rooms. Yet in this way only can ac-
count for the trunk being opened,
searched and locked again In the short
space of time in which l was absent.
She was provided with keys
but how could she have known OF
NV letter-of-of it's being there?"
"Only in one way, Miss Rogers. IF
she is in the detectives employ inc
taking of this letter is the very thing
she would be likely to be interested in,
for it seems that she was in my bed
room while l was opening and reading
your communication in the adjoining
apartment, and from my CALCULATIONS
she must have gathered an idea of its
importance. Now, if she had keys ana
was Il police spy. she would naturally
take means for procuring this letter,
| and. as | was called out before she left
she had ample opportunity for unlock
ing my trunk and searching among my
| Documents
"She did it. She did it! Mr.. Byrd
now has that letter 1t will soon be
in the hands of the one man | most
| dread to have see it."
Her visitor did not gainsay this.
"Mr. Degraw will never marry me II
he reads that letter." she declared.
A moment of silence followed, then
he kindly Observed
.TIad ! solace to offer | should not
hesitate so long in speaking. but CO.
incide witt you in thinking that this
letter as been taken by an enemy OF
yours. and taken with the purpose or
thwarting your marriage with MI De-
sraw. IT, therefore. YOU would make
this attempt innocuous and merit the
confidence of your lover and the ad-
, miration of your friends you will 20
ut once to Mr.. Degraw and tell him
what -yas in this letter before it can
have chance to reach him.
For the first time she looked at her
visitor with CLEAN of suspicion. but
il soon vanished before his answering
gaze,
Il thought" she said. with sort of
yearning Hesitation. that you might
have planned tins story of loss to drive
me 10 an act rom when shrink, but
see no such good news in your eyes
He did not think it worth while to
answer this insinuation. On the con-
trary he remarked:
"If YOU agree with me that this Is
your one and only course | will SO far
forget my former relations with you as
to accompany you to Mr.. Desraws S
studio. If he sees that | am there to
uphold and sustain you he may think
more lightly of your fault At all
events, YOU will not be alone, for If
he rejects and despises you, | will
take you into my brothcrly keeping
and see that you never suffer for a
home while live
But she gave him no encouragement
TO persist. Instead she showed him a
face so weary that he took the hint
and turned toward the door.
Il perceive that you need rest said
he IF you wish to see me later send
Il note 10 that effect to the Weslmins-
ter Meanwhile consider what | have
said and command me for any duty |
can conscicntiouSly perform
81 need no services" she cried. "lf
Mr.. Decraw marries me | shall soon
have Il protector. If he does not l
shall not need one. yet | thank you all
the same" she added. with Il touch Of
her old sweetness that so wrupg his
heart anew.
And making him a low courtesy. in
which the grace of the erring chlld
mingled strangely with the dignity Of
a reat-natured woman, she disap-
pcared out of her own door and van.
ished up stairs. while he stood troubled
and more nearly at the point of ador'
ing her than he had ever done before
In his life