The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-11

loyalty by our engagement, for, as
far as / know, she never stirred out
of the house. On the third day, how
ever, 1 had ample evidence that her
solemn promise vas not enough to
hold her back from this secret influence
which drew her away from her hus-
band and her duty.
II had gone into town on that day,
but l returned by the 2:4O instead OF
the 1886, which is my usual train. AS
1 entered the house the maid ran into
the hall with a startled face.
"'Where is you mistress2 | asked.
81 think that she has gone out for
a walk she answered.
"My mind was instantly filled with
suspicion. [ rushed upstairs to make
sure that she was not in the house. AS
1 did so I happened to glance out of
one of the upper windows. and saw
the maid with whom l had just been
speaking running across the field in the
direction of the cottage. Then, OF
course, l saw exactly what it all meant.
My wife had gone over there, and had
asked the servant to call her If l should
return. Tingling with anger, l rushed
down and hurried across, determined
to end the matter once Ind forever. l
saw my wife and the maid hurrying
back along the lane, but L did not
stop to speak with them. In the cot
tage lay the secret which was casting
a shadow over my life. l vowed that,
come what might, it should be a secret
no longer. / did not even knock when
1 reached it, but turned the handle
and rushed into the passage.
ut was all still and quiet upon the
ground floor. In the kitchen a kettle
was singing on the fire, and a large
black cat lay coiled up in the basket;
but there was no sign of the woman L
had seen before. l ran into the other
room, but it was equally deserted. Then
1 rushed up the stairs, only to find W.
other rooms empty and deserted at the
top. There was no one at all in the
whole house. The furniture n pic
lures We're of the most common and
vulgar description, save in the one
chamber at the window of which l
had seen the strange face That was
comfortable and elegant, and all my
suspicious rose into a fierce, bitter
fame when / saw that on the mantel-
piece stood a copy of a full-length
photograph of my wife. which had
been taken at my request only three
months ago.
Il stayed long enough TO make GER
tain that the house was absolutely
empty. Then / left It, feeling a weight
at my heart such as / had never had
before. My wife came out into the
hall as | entered my house. but ! was
too hurt and angry to speak with her,
and pushing past her, ] made my way
into my study. She followed me, how
ever, before l could close the door.
- am sorry that | broke my promise.
Jack said she, but if you knew all the
circumstances L am sure that you
would forgive me-
"'Tell me everything. then said I.
81 cannot, Jack, 1 cannot she cried.
"'Until you tell me who it is that has
been living in that cottage, and who it
is to whom You have given that photo
graph, there can never be any conf
dence between us said /, and break
ing way from her, ! left the house.
That was yesterday, Mr.. Holmes, and
/ have not seen her since. nor do l
know anything more about this strange
business. 1t is the first shadow thai
has come between us, and it has 50
shaken me that / do not know what
| should do for the best. Suddenly
this morning it occurred to me that
you were the man to advise me, so l
have hurried to you now and / place
myself uareservedly in our hands.
If there is n point which have not
made clear, pray question me about It.
But, above all, tell me quickly what l
am to do, for this misery is more than
l can bear"