Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-12
THURMONT THURSDAY OCTOBER

New York who possessed virtue as
we'll as beauty, and character as well
as grace.
From her, then, soon turned, what
ever evidence you may adduce to the
contrary. If a card bearing my name
was found in a letter received by her
that card was either stolen from my
pocket or forged by some persons anx-
ious to get me into trouble. l was
seeking noble, self.sacritlcing wom-
an not silly and romantic school girl.
"Nor do understand or seek to ex-
plain the violent death of that other
poor girl, toward whom finally turned
in sheer perplexty and despair. l
bought the bonbons that were found
in her room, because I had seen her
stand one night with wistful eyes be-
fore famous confectioner's, but GER
tainly did not poison them. or, indeed,
tamper with them in any way. l did
not even open the box, IL l remember
rightly. What the result of my ac-
quaintanceship with her might have
been l cannot tell She seemed to be
a good girl, but she was an 1lllterate
one. and only passably pretty. How:
ever, l might have found worth In her
If the opportunity had been mine OF
sounding her nature, but l was pre-
vented doing this by her sudden death.
II am told-and this is another mys-
terry which I cannot explain-that she
received letter Of warning against
me; warning, when l only meant her
goodl AS to who was the writer OF
this anonymous note l cannot even
hazard a guess. The police must de-
termine that l can only repeat what
I said before, that my conduct toward
her was without any show of disre-
spect and that neither to the poorest
of these young girls nor to the best en-
dowed did ever show attention which
was not in perfect accord with the pur-
pose for which sought them.
"And now come to the experience
which brings me here, and explains
why I continue to obtrude myself In
Miss Aspinwalls parlors. notwith-
standing the fact that my presence
there is not wholly welcome to some.
at least, of the persons I meet there.
Miss Rogers name Is Jenny she Is
beautiful as are few Of any name or
circumstance, and''-his voice showed
feeling here-"she has mind and soul
which acquaintanceship proves to be
not only gifted but elevated. | cannot
turn my back upon such perfect en-
bodiment of all l have been told to
seek for. Her very disappointment
we know she has had them-make her
cause sacred in my eyes. l made up
my mind at my second interview that
the girl | had so long sought for was
found, and, having come to this con-
clusion, considered it only proper that
she should learn to know me well. so
that when the moment came for me
TO reveal my intentions she should not
be constrained by any secret doubts or
aversons from accepting gift that IS
almost equivalent to small kingdom.
DO | make myself understood. Mr.. De-
Sraw?"
an infinite number Of emotions and
phases of feeling during this long reci-
tai, rose with n start at this sudden
appeal and enthusiastically held out
his hand.
"perfcctly, perfectly" he exclaimed.
"How can l thank you enough for
your kindness in letting me be present
at these explanations. l assure you
that feel the Goals of fire burning on
my head, and only hope that you VIII
relieve me of them by abusing me
roundly for the various discourtesies
| have shown you
Don't speak of It," rcjoined the
other. waving his hand toward the
table, on which lay the many docu-
ments of which | have before spoken.
"Yondcr," continued he, "are the
papers upon which | rely for the sub
sanitation of my assertions. There
you will see a copy Of Mr.. Delancys
will, the bank books and other papers
proving me to be in possession OF the
money have stated, and, lastly, n let
ter or statement drawn up by myself
and duly atteSted by witnesses. in
which the story related to me by Mr.
Delaney on his death bed is given, to-
gctEer with my acceptance Of the
strange but not unnatural conditions
under which he, a stranger, left me
this enormous fortune. l intended
them for the lawyer who should draw
me up deed of gift in Miss Rogers
favor, but l found them very useful
when Mr.. Gryce showed me the war
rant of arrest which had been made
out in my name, and I shall be much
obliged If you also will cast your eye
over them, that nothing like the
shadow of a doubt may ever again lie
between me and gentleman whom l
feel bound not only to respect but ad-
mire."
The artist, overwhelmed, and In a
condition of great excitement, took the
papers and glanced at them, while the
detective, rubbing his hands together,
consulted each finger separately, as II
in search of an answer to a problem
that yet possessed features sufficiently
unaccountable to puzzle him.
"Who wrote the letter to Miss Rog-
ers in Miss Hadden's school?" he said.
musingly. "Who sent the note of
warning that frightened the other poor
girl into flight which ended in her
death in the blind alley? And who put
poison into the box of bonbons which
you bought and sent in good faith to
this girl? These are three very serious
questions"
"You are right" assented Mr.. De-
graw, "very serious questions, indeed,
For in Ioftor and DoiSnn Iyn ron disrnrn