The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

The time had now come to take a
stand and I informed my uncle to his
evident chagrin that [ should not leave
as long as any excuse could be found
for staying.
He said nothing at the time but as
the noise Of departing carriages gradu-
ally lessened and the great hall and
Of desertion he ventured upon this
gentle protest.
"You have more pluck, Rita, than
I supposed. Do you think it wise to
stay on here7 Will not people i'm
agihe that you have been requested to
do 500 Look at those walters hanging
about in the different doorways: Run
rand will come to the house fast
enough as soon as he is released from
here. I give you leave to sit up for
him if you will; only let us leave this
place behind. Before that impertinent
little man dares to come round again, "
But 1 stood firm tho somewhat moved
small tyran rant in my way, at EG least n1 With
him, I carried my point.
Suddenly my anxiety became poign-
ant. A party of men, among whom I
saw Mr.. Durand, appeared at the end
of the hall, led by very small but
self important parsonage whom my
uncle Immediately pointed out as the
detective who had twice come to the
door near which I stood: As this man
of relief crossed his face and after a
word or two with another stranger Of
seeming authority. he detached him
self from the group he had ushered
upon the scene, and approaching me
respectfully enough, said with a depre-
catory glance at my uncle whose frown
he doubtless UNDERSTOOD
s'Miss Van Arsdale,. believed"
l nodded, too choked to speak.
~ am sorry, madam, if you were
expecting to 60. Inspector Dalzell has
arrived and would like to speak to you.
Will you step into one of these rooms
Not the library, but any other. He
will come to you as quickly as he can
I tried to carry it off bravely and as
If l saw. nothing in this summons which
was unique or alarming. But I only
glance between him and the group Of
men of which he had just formed a
part. In the latter were several gentle
men whom I had noted in Mrs. Fair.
brothers. train early in the evening
and few strangers, two Of whom were
officials. Mr.. Durand was with the
former and his expression did not en-.
courage me.
"The affair is very Serious" com.
"That's our excuse for any trouble
we may be putting you to-
"Where shall we go9" I asked
"The drawing-room is too large. In
this hall my eyes are forever travelling
in the direction of the alcove. Don 4
you know some little roomq o what
what can he want of mel'
"Nothing serious, nothing import
anti clustered my good uncle. "Some
triviality such as you can answer in q
one; there, under the stairs. Come,
will find the door for you. Why die
we ever come to this wretched ball9'
I had no answer for this. Why, in
deed!
Ny uncle, who is a very patient man
steered me to the place he had picked
out, without adding word to the
ejaculation in which he had just
allowed his impatience to expend itself
But once seated within and out Of the
range of peering eyes and listening
ears he allowed a sigh to escape hin
which expressed the full trouble OF
his agitated heart.
ny ftyy desr hsrh he began and stopped 4o
pause" that you should know
"Whatqo [ managed to ask.
ssThat do not like Mr.. Durand anc
Others do not like him."
"Is it because of something yol
knew about him before tonightf'
He made no answer.
cor because he was seen, like man,
other gentlemen, talking with tina
woman some time before-a long tim'