Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-25
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters

THE House Across the Way Is THE Elms,
en- old English mansion located directly opposite the
Of Arthur Backwood and with the exception OF ns
house there other within reasonable distance
II has long been vacant when Mr.. Blackwood Ne"eu
with interest the hustle incident to the arrival Oh new
tenants occasion call the new corners anu
found that he house was occupied by Mr.. Dunn,
retired London merchant, and his beautiful ward MISS
Elsie Grey Everything about the place Indicated that
the occupants were possessed Of wealth The nero ot
the story becafne quite intimate at The Elms anu
found himself more than Interested In Miss Grey. IN
fact, he was in love with her His attentions TO the
lady probably resented by her guardian for Arthur
soon found himself cut, by the other gentleman soon
after this Arthur the witness to strange scene
which took place the grounds near the house. MISS
Grey and her guardian were in earnest conversation;
Miss Grey pale and rather disturbed Mr. Dunn nushed
and eager Grey had risen suddenly as IL TO 60
but she Mr. Dunn too and caught her hand
She resisted and attempted to draw her fingers IRON
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 yled then suddenly
snatching her away with force Of which she did
capable she turned and hurried from the spot
II Mr. Dunn had seemed agitated before he was In
agony and with unsteady legs and his hands to his
brow he 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 Elms" This readily accepted and
in the course Of many visits Arthur found himself en-
gagged to Miss Grey. The engagement was strenuousS
objected to by Mr. Dunn the ground Of Arhurs pow
erty Subsequently the young woman herself said In
painful interview that there reasons why the
engagement would have to be ended After the inter
view she wrote to him follows: "Arthur, l cannot
tell you what this change. never tell
you oh, forgive me, dear, forgive the pain cause
you, but what said to day is true. can never be
your wife. Don't hate me- dear, don't think me false
or tickle and don't ah don't believe that this is some
sudden resolve which time circumstances can change
The barrier which has risen between us will rise always
the which forces to this will exist until the
end Arthur, tell you what l 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
NJ profh rhn moi a,lr- nufual rtnDd
of both parties concerned, but also acted with Dunn
in the capacity of guardian of the young woman. He
too agreed that there were reasons why Arthur could
marry Miss Grey, but abruptly brought the
versaton to end and declined to enlghten him fur
ther about the matter. Miss Grey clearly miser-
able and seemed be plnng away. Arthur noted this
and went the extreme of consulting the village doc
tor who also his friend Arthur had conceived the
idea that the girl 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
further Investigations when the physician called him
back
81 do not sink eet is true" said the doctor and he
turning the pages of the work trials
in the criminal when the eye his visitor was
arrested by photograph Of a which appeared
in connection with of the Look" Ar
thur, quickly, pointing with his finger. WHO is that
The portrait was that of young and beautiful
Of 20 She was exquisitely dressed in costume
fifteen years before and seated at table her
graceful and becoming in the extreme. She had been
taken so that her glance looked straight the speca
tor. and her eyes were dark and lovely yet in their
depths there such strange look, half sadness
half of terror. that ones first involuntary admiration
faded gazed, and place to feeling almost
resembling Arthur passed his hand his brow
IN doubt and wonder. Where had he it before?
Mrs. Belton,' Arthur read out. Whom does that
remind you of, Josephf To Arthurs amazement Joseph
turned him slowly his sallow features suddenly as
pale as death, his black eyes staring MY God!' he
said; my Godr'
The doctor very much excited and acted as If he
had suddenly lost his reason. Mira. Cathcart he said
Arthur endeavored to Mr. Dunn to acuuant him at
once with the discovery, but he unsuccessful The
servant said he was in town. At midnight after the
arrival Of the last train he the 'EIms
again, expecting to a lghtin Mr. Dunn's study but
there none. AS he stood there his attention
attracted by shadow, and peering into window he
Mrs. Cathcart moving noiselessly around. AS he
stood peerng into the window the weight Of his
scious pressure opened the window. He entered and
followed the and her pass into Ese's room
and do something with the bottles which reposed
table. As the woman left the room she encountered
Blackwood. She startled, but self possessed
what you doing with those medicines Mrs.-Mrs
Beton1' he said She fatered ''You must leave this
house tonight" said Arthur. I cannot leave tonight
Give day. Do that l shall scream and wake
Miss Elsie That would be dangerous to her. Wait a
day.
Arthur consented and after arranging that the patient
should be left in charge Of another servant left the
house. He had some trouble in obtaining access to Mr.
Dunn the next day. but finally succeeded
sed to investigate Later he saying that he had
looked Mrs. Cathcart and found that was thor
oughy trustworthy Arthur carried the letter to Jo
seph. II believe e sinks returned
Joseph; land Mrs Cathcart ees Mrs Relton nv
not do not know, cough 1t likely; but zis I do
know, wat told you before, woman is not highly
respectable person Of good character told Won
che has been in prison"