The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-08

III oTOWn! DlQnC you notice q SINH
larity In her appearance to that of
the very lady you were then seeking?"
Il did not observe. Her face was
all / saw. She was looking directly
at me as stepped into the room."
II see. She had taken off her veil
and trusted to your attention being
caught Sy her strange features,-as it
was. But that dress was brown; I'm
sure OF 1t. She was the very woman.
Otherwise the mystery is impenetra-
ble.' A deep plot, Mr.. Ransom; one
that should prove to you that Mrs.
hansoM's motive in leaving you was
OF very serious character. Do you
wish that motive probed to the bot
tom? l cannot do it without public
ity. Are you willing to incur that
publicity?"
II must" Mr.. Ransom had risen
In great excitement Nothing can
hide the fact that my bride left me on
our wedding-day 1t only remains
now to show that she did 1t under an
influence which robbed her of her own
will; an influence from which she
shrank even while succumbing to 1t.
! can show her no greater kindness.
and l am not afraid Of the result. I
have perfect confidence in her inte-
grity"-he hesitated. then added with
strong conviction-"and in her love-"
The detective hid his surprise. He
could not understand this confidence.
But then he knew nothing Of the mem.
cries which lay back Of it.
"Very WE'LL" he said. "You still
want me to find her. will do my
best, sir; but first. cannot you help
me with suggestion or two?"
az"
There must be some clew to so
sudden freak on the part of a young
and beautiful woman. who, l have TAX
en- pains to learn, has not only clean
record but a reputation for good
sense. The Fultons cannot supply 1t.
She has lived seemingly open and
happy life In their house, and the
mystery Is as great to them as to
you. But you, as her lover and now
her husband, must have been favored
with condolences not given to others.
Cannot you recall one likely to put
us on the right track? Some fact
prior to the events of to-day, / mean:
some fact connected with her past
life; before she went to live with the
Fultons?"
mo. Yet let me think; let me
think" Mr.. Ransom dropped his face
into his hands and sat for a mon ent
silent When he looked up again, the
detective perceived that the affair was
hopeless so far as he was concerned.
NO." he repeated, this time with un.
mistakable emphasis, "she has always
appeared buoyant and untrammeled
But then I have only known her six
months"
"Tell me her history so far as you
know it. What do you know of her
life previous to your meeting herr?
1T was a very simple one. She had
country bringing up, having been
born in small village in Connecticut.
She was one Of three children and the
only one who has survived: her sis.
ter, who was her twin, died when she
was a small child, and a brother
some five years ago. Her fortune was
willed her, as have already told you,
by q great-uncle. 1t Is entirely In
her oAn hards. Left an orphan early
she lived first with her brother; then
when he died. with cne relative after
another. till lastly she settled down
with the Fultons. know Of no secret
IN her life, no ENHANCEMENT, not even
OF any prior engagements. Yet that
man with the twisted jaw was not un-
known to her. and II hs Is a relative,
as she said. you should have no diff
Guilty III locating him."
II have a man on his track" Ger.
ridge replied. "And one on the girls
too; mean, OF course, Bella Burton's.
They will report here up to twelve
o'clock tonight. 1t is now half.past
past eleven. We should hear from
one or the other soon."
"And my wife?"
"A description If the clothing she
wore has gone out. We may hear
from 1t. But doubt if We Dc tonight
unless she has rejoined her maid or
the man with scar. Somehow l
think she will Join the girl. But it's
hard to tell yet"
Mr.. Ransom could hardly control his
impatience. And l must sit helpless
here!" he exclaimed. ~ who have
80 much at stake!"
The detective evidently thought the
occasion called for whatever comfort
1t was in his power to bestow.
yes" said he. "For 1t is here she
will seek you IL she takes a notion to
return. But woman is an uncertain
quantity" he dryly added.