The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-09

little money were found, the dead man wa,
accorded 4 decent burial, and the widow Sen,
to the county asylum. from which abe van
never emerge. Truth is stranger than hctio,.
and smiling faces often mask grim and awful
possibilities.
Again Mrs. RemSen laughed, mora
blithely, more unpleasantly than ever
had Miss Pruyn In her widest dreams.
AT last! At lasts she cried, as aha
clipped the item from the paper and pressed
It 70 her bosom, grooming over il Ike a
mother to her child.
".
So b stood nursing her revenge. while
steps decisive, steps impatient, steps sham.
bling, came along the hall. The door
opened; entered Abe Cronkite and Noel
Vance, followed haltingly by her husband
Mark Remsen himself.
Mrs, Remsen drew a long breath as Il
for the fray.
"A stranger and a former acquaintance
both undesirable she said haugbtily.
What can these persons want here?'
The old man shook, like one bu,eted
in the onset Of conflicting fears.
They say hat they must see Nfadpe
dearie, he quavered; that it would be bet
ter for us all that they should"
Mrs. Remsen stepped to the telephone.
MAY / trouble you to connec. me with
Police Headquartersf" she %suavely asked
Of the operator.
Perhaps l might bear your message
for you, madam" ~interposed the detective.
Il, Abe Cronkite, am about to report there
the result Of my investigation into the kill
ing Of Gordon Prince at the Smiling Inn
Mrs. Remsen swung half around.
Il never even heard of the person or the
place" she snapped.
Strange, since you now have in your hand
the clipping / sent you describing the death
OF the one at the other
"No matter, Central" breathed Mrs.
Remsen. Il find that my business will wait.
Thank you 80 much for your attention.
And now" she faced about determinedly,
what are your demands2"
we wish to see the young woman now
sequestrated in the upper part Of this house
as Madge Remsen," Cronkite answered.
"We have reason TO believe that she is reallv
Clara Remsen, who by fraud and forca
has been substituted in the place Of her
unfortunate twin sister"
1T won't do, gentlemen; as nave warned
you, it won't do" Mr.. Remsen implored,
wringing his poor hands. "We never car
trust Madge, not for an instant. She has
homicidal mania; it is apt to break out when
least expected. Oh, what trials, what trials
beyond mention ] have had with that TN.
fortunate child, possessed by a legion OF
devils like the demoniac in the Bible. II Il
hadn't been for dearie, my beloved wife,
Ishould have died from anxiety and shame.
But she can do anything with her, any
thing"
Il believe that" said Cronkite aside to
Mrs. Remsen, since in some way YOU were
able to persuade her to impersonate he
sister Clara not only in dra wing the %latter'J
fortune from the bank and turning it owe,
to you, but also in clipping with the dashing
Cassius Waldo, for whom she had an attrac.
ton and repulsion alike %uncanny."
Hush" whispered the woman, you
are all wrong in your theories, but will
bring Clara II you will let her 60 with her
simpleton Of a lover, Vance, there, and
leave US in peace in u home
Agreed" returned Cronkite, ii you
will turn over her fortune 10 her
Never! 'Tis a lie! ! never had it
what? In face Of such a significant item
in this private bank book, which sec you
have continued in your maiden name! nv
not parley with you, madam.
Remember | was the first 10 enter The
room after Waldo had beer slain, II waq
my duty to secure certain papers he he'd
stolen from the Legare Bank. and ! did
secure them.
"Intermingled with them were letters
written by you, strange letters from
married woman; they fully explain this
dark places by making them darker
passion, jealousy, hatred, revenge-thoss
are the clues
Il will bring Clara at once
'No; under you direction l will bring
her; it will be safer
Presently, then, entered Abe Cronkite
escorting a young woman wonderfully
like to Mrs. Prince OF the Smiling Inn, YET,
wonderfully unlike. She was pale as ii
from trouble and confinement, yet there
was something coquettish in her smile as
she glided to vanoe's side.
Noel, she said. and her eyes were honest
and true, Il did try 10 tantalize you a little
by putting up with MIR. Waldo's odious
attentions, but / have been well punished;
/ have suffered sore. II you will take me
l will be loyal and true
Il don't understand faltered Mr..
Remsen. as he observed the impasslonei
embrace. IF this is Madge, how can she
go with vance' If this is Clara why should
she want to go in such an unseemly way
when she knows we will give her the finest
sort OF a wedding?"
'Yes. father, l am Clara explained
his daughter, "and ! know yon would do
anything for me. But It Is better tina:
Noel and l should go and prepare a home
where you will be welcome-oh, so welcome
II you will only come
lis that in the bond. Mr.. eapnkite'
asked Mrs. Remssn. handing himShs CHECK
she had drawn.
And at a sign from the detective the
young couple turned TO the door.
"of course. l must stay with desrie'
Mr.. Remsen protested peevishly.
And as they passed out the old man was
bending over his wife's hand, while She
erect, gracious, composed. gazed about Wh1
a comforting sense of proprietorship.
IIEhtnInEs Strange Freak,