The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-09-10

truth. But III MuIlci PaSseASS ~
had rarely done this. Now Tor the
first time her influence was poTeriess.
All through the evening he felt himself
impelled to question and amend what
ever she said. His peace of mind was
gone.
On the following day he MET Mr.
| Winston again, and only with the
greatest difficulty could he avoid ask
ing questions about Carlingford. The
name of that city lowered upon his
lips until it finally obtained utterance
though quite harmlessly.
oh by the way" said Winston,
"did Miss Deane ever mention to you
a man named Mortimer-Curtis Moru-
mer? Brilliant. but untrnstWorthy.
He was cutting quite figure when
was in Cariingford-a handsome young
rascal and a great favorite with the
ladies' Eve often wondered what be-
came of him."
Il don't think Miss Deane knew
him." replied Clavering. she never
mentioned him.
well, that's odd" said the old gen
tleman.
He eyed Clavering for a moment and
then turned the conversation to an
other topic.
For more than week Clavering
struggled with his desire to mention
Curtis Mortimer's name to Muriel. He
had no special question to ask. He
merely felt drawn toward the topic as
if by some occult attraction There
was family named Mortimer in their
social circle, and the name was there
fore common in their conversation.
Whenever it was uttered a spring in
side of Claverings mind would work
+ like the mechanism of an alarm clock,
and an inward voice would say,
''There was a Curtis Mortimer in Car
lingford.'
One evening he said it aloud.
"How did you know that?" asked
Muriel in a tone not quite familiar to
his ear
"NIr. Winston mentioned him." re-
Piled Clavering. filed with that pecul-
lar terror which the man of wretched
nerves feels when they betray him.
What did he saw"
Clavering repeated the conversation
between himself and Winston with
such ready accuracy as revealed the
fact that it had been often in his mind.
Muriel was silent for some moments
md then spoke Of other matters.
| When Clavering left her house that
hn ,ioraI hnp,a q nd a
| alone. He was afraid of his own un-
! comfortable thoughts. He felt no i'm
| pulse toward any friend. Mere hu-
nan companionship. with its restraints.
| was all that he desired There was
| billiard room near by where he had
often played. The game was his ia
rorite recreation. and he was very ex-
pert. Perhaps he might find some one
IN the hall whom he knew. but there
was only one acquaintance present.
and he already had All opponent.
| Clavering watched the game for a
! few minutes. when the proprietor OF
he room came up to him.
Would YOU care TO play with
stranger?" said he II don't know
him. but he's gentleman all right
And he plays a good game He was
| oracticing here q little while this aft.
arroon."
Claverng turned toward the stranger.
who had come in just behind him.
-all young man. extremely good look.
| ing and very carefully dressed It
seemed to Clavering that he remem-
/ bered having passed the man on the
street near Muriels house
YES" said he. "I'll play"
1t appeared that the stranger bore
| he name Of Jones. SO far as Clavering
could judge by the mumbled introduce
Ion Of the proprietor. and it presently
| became evident that his skill had not
been overrated. Clayering was no
more than his equal In the best OF
circumstances. and upon this occasion
| his condition told heavily against him
There is probably no other game which
IS such a searcher OF weaknesses in a
mans nervous system.
| Clavering lost two games and de-
lined a third. He was SO nervous that
his knees were shaking when he stoop-
ed to take his coat from the rack un-
Ter the table. where it lay folded
AS he began to draw it out he was
aware Of an object in the breast pocket
which seemed unfamiliar, large en-:
velope containing something hard This
he pulled out Of the envelope to see
what it was and beheld familiar pho
fograph of Muriel Deane
He was still STOPPING uuder the end
Of the table. The stranger had gone
to the corner of the room where cigars
were sold. A great battle ragged in
| Claverings mind, and he lost lie pos
ltively could not help taking the en-
velope partly from the pocket that he
might see the address. The envelope
was torn. Clavering saw only the
name Carlingford and the state in
| Muriels hand
Shame rushed upon him. He thrust
| back the envelope and rose
Those are my things there said