Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-23
THE PERIL
RICHARD PARDON.
A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
Bv B. L. F-ARJ HON.
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nnonnn0nnnQnn OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
In the morning my wife and I had
a conversation about Samuel Fleet
wood. Desiring to pay every attention
to Mr.. Wilmot during his stay with us
we thought it would add to his com
fort If we assigned to Fleetwood the
Office of attending solely upon him
With the intention of apprising Fleet
wood of his new duties, was on the
point of summoning him when he made
his appearance.
care you better this morning, Mr.
Fleetwood?" asked my wife.
He replied in Il grateful voice that
he felt easier, and thanked her feel
ingly for some soup and jelly which
she herself had prepared for him.
She gave him a compassionate look
and then, in her presence, told Fleet
wood what we had resolved upon with
respect to Mr.. Wilmot He expressed
a cheerful acquesccnce, and promised
to do everything that lay in his power
for our expected visitor.
"He is an old gentleman" l said
"and may require attendance in the
night. You will sleep in the room ad,
Joining his"
eyes, sir,' said Fleetwood; and, this
matter being settled, my wife left us,
having household duties 20 attend to.
"You have something to say to me, y
said, observing that Fleetwood
fingered.
II was coming to seek you, SIR was
his response. II found these in the
garden this morning.
He produced my cigar case, with its
monogram of raised silver letters, and
lady's silver back comb of peculiar
design which Mile. ROsalie usually
wore in her hair.
"Why do you bring me this comb?'
asked. "It belongs to Mile. Rosalie."
II know, sir, but the two were lying
together, and l thought it right to
bring them both to YOU
His manner was not offensive, but II
struck me as being more than ordinar-
lily sad.
"There is nothing wrong or right in
it." remarked. "It is simple acct
dent that these two articles were
together. l must have dropped my
cigar case as l was walking in the
garden last night" 1t impressed it.
self upon me here that speaking on the
subject was unconsciously causing me
annoyance, and | said, little testify,
"Take the comb to Mile. Rosalie, and
tell her where you found it,
II beg you to excuse me, SIR said
Fleetwood, respectfully, "and TO give
the task to another person.
was reminded Of the promise l had
tacitly conveyed to Mile. Rosale that
I would set her right with the man
who regarded her with suspicion.
Fleetwood, YOU do not Mile. Rosa.
lie?"
81 have the strongest dislike TO her.
sir"
ut has grown"
81 own it, sir-to something almost
like aversion"
"a short time since you communi.
Gated your dislike and suspicious to
me. Time has not softened them?
ut has strengthened them, sir. Per-
haps l am wrong" and here he hesi
tated with an expression of pain on
his face, 'in speaking to you about
Mile. Rosalie."
mot at all. Go on, Fleetwood, if
you have anything more to say
'The new man in the garden, sir
Redwng-is the man she meets in Sc.
cret in Ivybush Lane"
II am aware of it,
Hitherto his eyes had been avcrtcd
me in astonishment.
II beg your pardon, sir" he said, "for
Interfering"
"There is no question of interfering,
Fleetwood" / said. at is that we
have done young lady an injustice.
What am about to confide to you is
a secret and, as it is not our secret,
it must be respected. Mr. Redwing-it
is, possibly, not his real name, but, in
the circumstances, he may be excused
for using it's not Mile. Rosalie's
lover. He is her BROTHER
Indeed, sir" said Fleetwood, in a
tone of constraint.
"She has disclosed to me certain par
ticulars of her past life which have
satisfied me that we have not done her
justice-you and |, l mean. Ny wife
and daughter are very fond of her.
There is no need TO say any more, is
there?"
NO. cir; it is not for mo to continue
to harp upon the matter. But l cannot
undertake to like her.
II will not attempt to force your in
clination. but ] wish II were other
wise. Only you must not show any
open dislike to her."
II will bear in mind what you say,
sir"
With this he took his departure, with
as I rightly OWNED, feeling Of dis,
content n his mind, which 1 confess
was my feeling also. Fleetwood's man
ner had not entirely pleased me.
Later in the day gave Mile. Rosalie
her silver back comb
20, thank you so much!' she ex
claimed. 81 was wondering what had
become of 1t. Who found it?"