Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-02-04

/ 1t seems equally obvious" added
Agnes, that Mr. Caterhouse's theory
concerning his niece's disappearance is
correct. She is behind all this"
II L believed that" cried Montresor
! notify, Il would not stir a finger more
in the matter!"
1 Langrishe looked at him with the old
superciious SIN 3e.
II you knew Miss I.avenlam. he
said half sadly, half satirically, you
would believe it."
The two young men then took their
departure.
at her next lesson in miniature paint
ing Agnes was very attentive and her
teacher very silent 1t was not until
said
i wonder, Miss Matthieson, if YOU
would give me Mr.. Montressor's address,
or II you would give him a note from
me?''
Agnes could not conceal a faint ex-
preston of surprise. She answered a
little coldly-
i can do either if you wish it."
Miss Anselm seemed unconscious of
the surprise or the GOODNESS.
There is some bother about my ex-
ceedlngly small patrimony," she ex-
planned simply. "And 1 thought that
perhaps Mr.. Montresor, as he is law
yer, would be able to advise me-po-
fesslonally of course" she added quickly.
Agnes sat down at the writing table
and scrubbed the address off without a
word
Il hope he may be able to help you
she said kindly but absently. as she
handed the piece of paper to Miss An
selm and babe her "Good-b bye"
Thus it happened that that same even
ing Montresor received note in deli
cate old-fashioned handwriting that he
did not know
Dear Mr.. Montresor: l hope you will
excuse the liberty / am taking in writ
ing to you; but / am in difficulties about
my money, and / am afraid | must con-
suit lawyer. I do not know who to
consult. as / cannot afford to 90 to a
grand, expensive one, and am told that
it is not safe to go to cheap one. I
thought perhaps you, though in another
branch of the profession, might know
of some clever lawyer who has still his
name to make. Would it be too much
trouble to you to give the name and adj
was rather skeptical of your power to
help me, though she said she was sure
you would not think me presuming in
asking you. Perhaps you would be so
kind as to call here one evening after
5 o'clock, or, if you have not time for
that, will you write to me? Again
apologizing for giving you this trouble,
l remain, yours truly, d. ANSELM"
Montresor perused this epistle with a
sensation of pleasure Most young men
like to be appealed to by a pretty gul
for assistance, and MontresOr had been
very forcibly struck by the fact that
Miss Matthiesons teacher in miniature
painting was very pretty girl indeed.
He did not hesitate for a moment as
to whether he should go to see her or
write. He would not for the world have
her think he was too proud or grand TO
call on a poor girl who gave lessons to
his fashionable friends for her living.
Punctually at the following day he
be ook himself to the buildings near
ST. lne square where dwelt Miss Anselm
He climbed innumerable flights of
rather dirty stone stairs before he found
himself at the number that Miss An
selm had indicated in her note. He rang
the door-bel and the door was imme-
diately opened by Miss Anselm herself.
The door opened straight into a little
room which evidently served as kitchen
and sitting room alike. Miss Anselm
was dressed in the same dark blue gown
of some thin material she had worn
when he had seen her at Mrs Matthie.
sons house, but she now wore over it a
large brown holland apron and bib
The little room was furnished with a
small but very good old oak-dresser on
which all the china of the establishment
was neatly arranged, a small round old
oak table, one modern easy chair, two
wicker chairs with cushions. two old oak
chairs, q small bookcase full of books, a
small kitchen table covered with a plain
art serge CLOTH stand of flowers, and
a few Botticelli prints on the walls.
81 did not think you would be quite
so punctual," said Miss Anselm, smiling
with perfect composure. Indeed | was
not sure that you would come at all. or
I would have taken off my apron and
been sitting down like lady to await
you"
He sat at ease and watched her while
she prepared tea.
Now she said as she poured out the
tea and invited him to bring a chair near
the table, 81 will tell you, if I may,
what my difficulty is"
Montresor expressed his readiness to
hear anything she had to say.
you see," she said, 1T is like this
My money, go year, comes from an
estate which belongs partly to me and
partly to a cousin whom l do not know.
He wants to get the whole estate into
his own hands and pay me off with a
lump sum down of $4,000 He wrote
to me that the property is depreciating
so much in value that this is more than
a fair equivalent. But / happen to
know for fact that coal has been
found on the property, and that surely
means does it not, an increase rather
than a decrease in yalue?"
at may or it may not" returned
Montresor. But who manages your al
fairs? Who pays you your money!"
His lawyer" replied Miss Anselm
promptly.
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