Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-03-24
CHAPTER xvI11.-tcontinued.)

CHAPTER XvIII.-(Continued.
While he spoke, he was writing on a
slip of paper, which he folded and hand
ed to the visitor.
Shall / not require the document l
gave you as an introduction to the par
typ insinuated 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 as of DID," he muttered
'hard as nails-not to be moved. Awk-
ward their sticking to that bit of paper
not that it is ever likely to be found
out. 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 tits many year since l
saw it last. Its mouldy walls suggest
no very agreeable retrospect"
While he was thus muttering his
thoughts, he left the building and passed
out of the court into the open thorough
fare. Then he opened the paper that the
lawyer had given him and read the ad-
dress. The words were, Madame Berne,
Ivy Cottage, Ivy Road, Highbury."
Had that paper informed him that
he was to die within the hour, it's pc
rusal could not have cast upon his face
a more marked expression of dismay.
For 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. rs it
possible What can this mean? Who is
this Silas Carston, then? Can this wom-
an be She must The name is un-
common; and the same lawyers, too. But
why has she left The Willows? l must
fathom this mystery"
He stood musing silently for some
moments and gradually an expression
OF dark determination settled upon his
face.
''I'll do itr' he muttered again. "1'n
face her once more, although L would
as soon face a tiger in her denr'
He buttoned his coat across his breast
with a Jerk, drew on his gloves and walk
ed rapidly on, with the air of a man
thoroughly resolved.
Ivy Cottage was a small, gloomy look
ing house. covered with the dark leaves
of the plant from which it took it's name
a shrivelled holly tree, and large, un
trimmed lime, threw a yet deeper sllad
ow upon the building. 1t was rem
nant of bygone days, when Highbury
was a country place; and it looked like
a meanly dressed, oldfashioned woman
in gay crowd. amidst the glaring stucce
and white paint of the new villas thai
were dotted OH each side of it.
Id -I,1
he saw "Ivy Cottage" inscribed upo1
the gate post of this shabby looking
dwelling. He felt more nervous thar
ever. He drew out his handkerchief
took off his hat, wiped his face ant
fidgeted with his coat. At last he mad,
the plunge, opened the garden gate
walked UP the path and rang the hous'
bell
His summons was answered by a sol
emn looking servanut. Madame Bern'
was at home: but she could not Sc,
strangers. Would he send in his tusi
ness?
He desired her to say that he came
from Messrs. Fogle & Quick, of Gray
Inn, and that his business related to /,
certain advertisement which had appear
woman shut the door in his face and lef
him standing upon the steps while sh'
delivered his message.
Any person who had stood beside hin
might have heard the humping of hi
heart against his side. Again he tool
out his handkerchief, and wiped away
The perspiration that stood in larg,
beads upon his face; vet the mornin.
was raw and cold.
After the lapse Of about a minute til,
door reopened, and he was marshallet
by the solemn servant into the front par
lor. there to await Madame Rerne's ap
pearance. 1t was a gloomy room, th,
walls were covered with a dingy. darl
paper, the furniture was old-fashionet
in form, and mostly of oak. The tree
in front threw in a black shadow, an,
obseured the daylight Mr.. Montgomer
seated himself with his back to the win
dow. and in that position his feature
were indistinct to any person COMM
into the room.