Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-18
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters

THE House Across the Way Is The Elms'
an old English mansion located directly opposite the
home OF Arthur Blacwood aud with the exception OF th
bouse there vas no other within reasonable distance.
II has long been vacant when Mr.. Blackwood viewed
with interest the hustle incident to the arrival Of new
tenants He occasion to call on the new comers and
found that he house was now occupied by Mr.. Dunn
retired London merchant, and his beautiful ward, Miss
Elsie Grey Everything about the place indicated that
tbe occupants were possessed Of wealth The hero
the story became quite intimate at "The Elms' and
found himself than interested In Miss Grey In
fact he was in love with her His attentions to the
lady we're probably resented by her guardian for Arthur
after this Arthur the witness to strange
which took place the grounds the house. Miss
Grey and her guardian were In earnest conversations
Miss Grey pale and rather disturbed, Mr. Dunn flushed
and Miss Grey had risen suddenly II to CO.
but she Mr.. Dunn too and caught her hand
She resisted and attempted to draw her fingers from
his grasp but he held them tight and kissing them
he flung himself his knees at her feet. For second
It seemed Miss Grey about to yed then suddenly
snatching her hand away with force OF which she did
not capable she turned and hurried from the spot
II Mr. Dunn bad seemed agtated before he was in
agony now, and with unsteady legs and his hands his
brow he rose and walked slowly in the direction taken
by Miss Grey. Mr. Dunn soon changed his attitude
toward Arthur and called to give him pressing invi-
tation to "The Elns" This readily accepted and
In the course of many visits Arthur found himself
gagged to Miss Grey. The engagement was strenuousy
objected to by Mr. Dunn the ground Arthurs pow
erty' subsequently the young herself said in
painful interview that there why the
engagement would have to be ended After the inter-
view she wrote to him follows: arthur, l cannot
tell you what has caused this change. never tell
you oh, forgive dear forgive me the pain cause
you but what said to day is true. 1 be
your Wife Don't hate me, dear don't think me false
or hckle and don't ah don't believe that this Is
sudden resolve which time circumstances can change
The barrier which has risen us will rise always
the cause which forces to this will until the
end Arthur, can tell you now what did not dare
before; do not think that the end is very far away
In marrying me, poor boy, you would after all have
made but sad bargain Arthur sought the advice of
Mr. Prothero, who not only a mutual friend
or both parties concerned but also acted with Dunn
In the capacity Of guardian of the young He
too agreed that there why Arthur could
never marry Miss Grey, but abruptly brought the
versation to an end and declined enlighten fur
ther about the matter. Miss Grey was clearly mise
able and seemed to be pining away. Arthur this
and went to the extreme of consulting the village doc
Tor who was also his friend Arthur had conceived the
uea that the girl was being poisoned but the doctor
INFORMED him that there hardly any likelihood OF
his suspicious being grounded for the symptoms might
result from entirely natural Arthur is still of
the opinion that the girl is being slowly poisoned and
was leaving the house of DR.. Legrand to make some
further Investigations when the physician called him
back. ~