Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-03-31


curious disposition, 1 thought l would
watch my gentleman's movements. With
some little difficulty l discovered his /
destination, and saw him standing at the !
window with his arm very lovingly
round young girls waist. got into
with the servant next door.
and learned a few particulars; but until
this moment it never occurred to me that
this girl precisely answers to the de-
scription given me by Rodwell It's the
same, and I have killed two birds with
one stoneP "
Long and earnest was the conversation
that ensued between the trio. But 1t Is
not necessary to repeat it In this place.
Both its explanations and results will
appear hereafter.
CHAPTER XXI.
Between six and seven o'clock on the
next evening, an elderly man. dressed
like a gentleman farmer, hastily entered
the shop Of picture dealer, situated In
the West END, and asked, in a nervous,
impatient manner, to inspect some very
pretty water-color drawings that were in
the window. The shopman produced
them. Instead, however, OF examining
the picture itself, the gentleman seemed
chiefly interested in the back Of It 1t
was growing dusk, and he carried the
picture to the door and carefully exam
ined the blank surface at the back. In
one corner was family inscribed in PEN
ell the word "Clara."
With an exclamation Of pleasure, and
a frightened face, he went back to the
counter, and asked the shopman for the
address Of the painter. The young man
hesitated. II beg pardon, sir" he said;
"but it is not usual to give the addresses
of the ladies and gentlemen who work
for us without their permission"
"Let me see your master" said the
gentleman, sharply.
In few minutes the principal himself
came forward.
'I wish to purchase all the drawings
you have by this artist, and at the same
time to be favored with her address.
am not asking this for the qualification
| of idle curiosity. The lady I believe to
be a very near and dear member Of my
family, whom have lost sight Of for
several years-whom l believed to be
| dead Five days ago I was looking in
| at the window Of picture dealers In
the Strand, when saw exposed for sale
watercolor painting, representing my
own cottage down in Suffolk. l have
| just such a picture at home, and there
was a peculiarly of touch about this
one that led me to believe, wild as the
thought seemed then, that both were the
work Of one hand. went into the shop,
and purchased the picture. l was not
deceived. Inscribed in corner at the
back was the word Clara But the
| salesman could give me no Information
about the artist; they had bought it
about two years ago, with several others,
OF young girl whom they had never
seen since. My nephew dined with me
that day, and l told him of the circum-
stance. He at once requested the affair
to be left in his hands. He came to my
hotel last night to tell me that he had
inquired, and caused others to inquire. of
every likely picture dealer, but had not
met with the slightest success. AS this
was my last day In the city I thought
| would take a look round the picture
shops myself. I have been about all
day, and was just about to give up my
search in despair when 1 caught sight
of these. I thought they looked like her
| work, and. sure enough, here is her sig
nature in the corner. Yet. stay mo-
ment; to make assurance doubly sure,
will show you her likeness, painted some
six years ago. You will be then able to
tell me whether 1t is the same"
He produced the identical miniature
that Sllas had found in Little Bethie-
hem, and which, it will be remembered
he had left in pocket of the clothes
deposited with Mr.. Jonathan Rodweli
The shopkeeper hesitated no longer
but at once handed over to him the re
quired address. The gentleman purchas
ed the pictures at very handsome price
got into cab that the shop boy hai
fetched for him, and drove away II
the direction Of the northwest
He arrived at Mrs. Wilson's about
o'clock, and knocked at the door. Tt
: his inquiries, the servant replied, mis-
. Clara has gone with missis to the play
house; and I do not expect she will b,
, home until late"
"Does she frequent places of amuse
ment much? Is she often out of al
evening 2"
"Oh, dear no; this is the first time
have ever known her to go; she is neve
out late
How unfortunatei But I must se
: her tonight, at whatever hour she ma,
return. l will come back at twelve"
Mary hooked very much astonished a
! the idea of such late visit. Mr.. iona
than Rodwell ordered the cabman t
> drive to the nearest hotel, where he en-
+, gagged bed and waited impatiently tn
passing away Of time.
At u o'clock he knocked again a
Mrs. Wilson's door. They had not n
: turned. Would Mary permit him t
, come in and wait 2" Mary did not lik
Q the idea of admitting a stranger at sue
8 an hour, and she alone in the house
''But he looks gentleman" she thought
e "and he is old enough to be my father.
: Don't be afraid; / am not a burglar
my DEAR" said Mr.. Jonathan, smiling
and slipping coin into her hand.
q a He walked into the parlor, and Mar
lit the lamp. One o'clock by his watcl
and still they had not come. He wa
!, growing uneasy; he could not sit still
he walked up and down the room, wit
: his watch in his hand, counting the mir
utes. The rumble of wheels at las