Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-08
ii avoidable knowledge of this


crime"
He bowed and was about to leave
his presence, when he detained me by
remarking with the air of one who
felt that some explanation was neces-
sary:
Il was at the ball where this crime
took place. Naturally it has made a
deep impression on me and would on
her if she heard of it"
"Assuredly," I murmured, wonder
ing IL he would say more and how
should have the courage to stand
there and listen If he did.
''It is the first time l have ever
come In contact with crime" he went
on with what, in one of his reserved
nature, seemed hardly natural insist
ence. Il could well have been spared
the experience. A tragedy with which
one has been even thus remotely con-
nected produces lasting effect upon
the mind"
ooh yes, oh yes!" murmured, edg.
ing involuntarily toward the door. Did
not know? Had I not been there,
| too; I, little I, whom he stood gazing
down upon from such a height, little
realizing the fatality which united us
and, what was even a more over
whelming thought to me at the mo-
| ment, the, fact that Of all persons in
| the world the shrinking little being,
| into whose, eyes ne was then looking,
was, perhaps, his greatest enemy and
! the one person, great or small, from
| whom he had the most to fear.
| But was no enemy to his gentle
daughter and the relief felt at find
| ing myself thus cut off by my own
promise from even the remotest COM
munication with her on this forbidden
subject was genuine and sincere.
But the father! What was to
think Of the father? Alas! could
have but one thought, admirable as he
appeared in all lights save the one in
which his too evident connection with
this crime had placed him. spent
| the hours of the afternoon in alter
nately watching the sleeping face of
my patient, too sweetly calm in its re-
pose, or so 1t seemed, for the mind be-
meath to harbor such doubts as were
shown in the warming had ascribed
to her, and vain efforts to explain by
|
/ guilt, the extraordinary evidence which
! linked this man of great affairs and
the loftiest repute to a crime involv-
/ ing both theft and murder.
| Nor did the struggle end that night.
| 1t was renewed with still greater posi-
| tiveness the next day, as witnessed
1 the glances which from time to time
passed between this father and daugh-
ter,-glances full of doubt and ques-
ton on both sides, but not exactly
such doubt or such question as my
4 suspicious called for. Or so thought,
and spent another day or two hesitat-
ing very much over my duty, when,
coming unexpectedly upon Mr.. Grey
one evening, l felt all my doubts re-
vive in view of the extraordinary ex-
preston of dread might with still
greater truth say fear-which in.
formed his features and made them
to my unaccustomed eyes, almost I'm,
recognizable.
4 He was sitting at his desk in reverie
I over some papers which he seemed
not to have touched for hours, and
when, at some movement made, he
started up and met my eye, could
swear that his cheek was pale, the
firm carriage of his body shaken, and
the whole man victim to some strong
and secret apprehension he vainly
sought to hide. When I ventured tc
i tell him what I wanted, he made an
effort and pulled himself together, but
1 had seen him with his mask off, and
his usually calm visage and self-pos
sessed mien could not again deceive
me.
My duties kept me mainly at Miss
Grey's bedside, but had been pro
vided with little room across the
hall, and to this room 1 retired very
soon after this, for rest and a neces
sary understanding with myself.
For, in spite of this experience ant
my now settled convictions, my pur
pose required whetting. The indies
cribable charm, the extreme refine
ment and nobility of manner observ
. able in both Mr.. Grey and his daugh
ter were producing their effect. l fel
guilty; constrained. Whatever m.
convictions, the impetus to act wa'
leaving me. How could recover it
By thinking Of Arson Durand and hi!
; present disgraceful position.
, Arson Durand! Oh, how the feelins
surged up in my breast as that name
slipped from my lips on crossing thu
threshold Of my little room! Ansol
Durand, whom I believed innocent
, whom I loved, but whom I was be
traying with every moment Of hesita
ton in which / allowed myself to in
: dulge! What if the Honorable MI
Grey is an eminent statesman, a dig
: nifed, scholarly, and to all appear
ance, high-minded man? What if M
patient is sweet, dove-eyed and affee
tionate? Had not Anscn qualities a
7 excellent in their way. rights as Gel
! tain, and a hold upon myself superio
to any claims which another Nigh
advance, Drawing much-crumple
8 little note from my pocket, l eagerl
read it. 1t was the only one had Q
I his writing, the only letter he ha
ever written me. I had already re
J. read it hundred times, but as 1 ono
:. more repeated to myself its vel
g known lines,S felt my heart gro,
r strong and fiyad in tho detarp,in a Fl n