Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-01-15

| suddenly tnat l was NOT supposed 10
know he had been there.
$50 you have been successful" I
asked finally.
eyes, l believe So I've succeeded In
interesting some capitalists. Richard
Delroy-perhaps you know him"
"No; only by reputation"
"He has helped me greatly"
"You got through. then, sooner than
you expected"
."Yes; ! thought 1t would take n
week at least. Mr.. Delroy had arrang-
ed that the conference should take
place at his country house near Baby.
lon. We finished the details yesterday,
and" he added after the faintest hesi-
tation, "an extremely unfortunate
event occurred there last night which
made any further stay impossible-I
dare say you saw an account Of 1t In
the evening papers?"
"Oh, yes; that murder and robbery.
The evidence seems to point very
strongly toward young fellow named
Drysdale."
every strongly" he agreed, nodding
with just the right degree OF concern,
although I'm hoping that he may be
able to prove himself not guilty. An
amiable young fellow-somewhat i'm
pulsive and headstrong-but let us not
talk about It. It's too unpleasant.
This evening we must be gay"
There is no need for me to detail
what we did talk about, since it in
no way concerns this story, but l had
never seen Tremaine to better advan-
tage. He was the unexceptionable
| gentleman, the man Of the world, who
had Travelled far and tasted many
things, a brilliant and witty talker-a
personality, in O. word, on the whole so
| fascinating and impressive that long
before the evening was over had dis
missed rs ridiculous my vague sus-
| picions Of an hour before. The story
that Godfrey had built up was, re-
fected, wholly hypothetical, flimsy
with the fimsiness which always at
taches to circumstantial evidence. !
knew how jury, looking at Tremaine,
would laugh at it. No lawyer would
risk his reputation with such case.
no magistrate would allow it to pro-
ceed before him. Why, Tor all knew.
Tremaine could prove an alibi for the
tragedy in suit fourteen as complete
as that which Delroy had offered for
him in the Edgemere mystery. God
frey and I had been forging chain Of
sand, imagining it steel! AS for that
prison photograph. had been deceived
by a chance resemblance.
'The boat starts from pier 81. North
river, at the foot of West Twentysev-
enth street. ut 8 O'clock" were IRE
maines last words to me. I'VE shall
look for you there"
Is there any virtue In dreams, !
wonder? That night, while ! slept,
the tragedy in suit fourteen was re-
enacted before me. | witnessed Its
every detail-I saw Tre:Eaine snatch
up the pipe and strike heavy blow
then, suddenly. behind him, appeared
q face dark with passion, 4 hand shot
out, pistol flashed. even rs Tremaine
tried to knock 1t aside, and Cccily
looked down upon her victim with eyes
of blazing hatred!
l was ut the pier in good time. for,
let me confess it, was curious to see
the details Of this leave taking. Cecily
and Trenaine were there before me,
| the former leaning sadly against the
rail while the after directed the check
| ing Of some buggagc.
l went directly to her.
$50 here you are" said, ready to
20 back to that st. Pierre you love
so much. Aren't you slad!
"Oh. very glad" she answered, with
a single listless glance at me. Il shall
never come back to this horrible
place"
"And Tremaine will join you in two
weeks" added.
This time she looked at me-a light
ming tiash-a glance that brought back
vividly my dream.
"Wlll heT' she asked between he,
teeth.
why" questioned, in affected sur
prise, don't you think lie WILL"
She drew in her breath with quick
gasp.
What does it matter? I'm only
| flle-de- -coueur. shall laugh and for
get, like all the Others" and. indeed,
strange unnatural excitement had come
into her face.
saw her eyes devouring Tremaine
as he approached.
Everything Is. arranged he said
cheerly. shaking hands with me. Here
are the checks, Cecily. Now take us
| down to your stateroom and do the
honors."
"As you please, doudoux." she an
swered quietly. and led the way.
It was very pleasant cabin, one OF
the best on board, and saw that some
| Of her personal belongings were already
| scattered about 1t. Against the hot
water pipe in one corner was hanging
Fe Fe's cage. A curtain had been tied
about it to protect Its tender occupant
from the cold.
81 see you're taking Fe Fe with you"
| I remarked.
ITO be sure she is," said Tremaine.
"she knows the snake would starve to
| death II she left 1t with me. But we
must drink to good voyage"
He rose and touched the electric but
ton. Cecily followed him with eyes
| cleaning like two Goals Of fire. Look
ing at her, felt vague uneasiness-
| did she have concealed In the bosom of
her gown that same revolver-was she
only waiting a favorable moment?
1.-THE first toast Is yours, Mr.. Lester"
said Tremaine, as he filed the glasses.
ITO Cecllyw l cried. "Her health.
long life and happiness"
'Thank you, che" she said simply.
and very gravely. and we drank 1t.
Just then q bell sounded loudly from
the deck and voice shouting COM
mands.
"Come. we must be going" said Ire
maine. rising hastily. That's the
shore bell"
passed out first, and for an instant
held my breath, expecting I know not
i =, .t,,n ronnrt-o oproum pnf