The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-07-12

ment he treated me IKE a stranger.
Il am the coroner Of this district"
said he. II have left my bed to have
few words with you and learn II
your detention here IL warranted.
They have told me what you had to
say In explanation Of your presence
here where q crime Of some nature
has taken place But should Ike to
hear the story from your own lips.
You have been Intending to marry
Miss Cumberland"
yes" I looked the man directly In
the eve. Our wedding day was set"
did you love herr Pardon me. II
am TO be Of any benefit to you at
this crisis I must strike at the root Of
things. II you do not wish to answer
say so. Mr.. Ranelagh."
II do wish" This was a lie. but
what was TO do. knowing how dan
gerous II would be for Carmel to have
II publicly known where my affections
were really centered7 II am in no
position to conceal anything from you.
| did love Miss Cumberland. We have
been engaged for year."
81 see. and she returned your lover"
sincerely" Was the room light
enough to reveal my guilty flush2 She
had loved me only too well, too zeal.
ously. too Accordingly for her happi-
ness or mine.
"And the sister"
II was gently but gravely put, and
instantly | knew that our secret was
out. however safe we had considered
1t. This man was cognizant Of 1t, and
II be. why not others? Why not the
whole town? made my reply In these
words:
Her sister is her sister. I hardly
think that either of US would be apt
to forget that Have you heard other
wise. sir?"
He was prepared for equivocation.
possibly for denial, but not for attack.
His manner changed and showed dis
trust, and saw that had lost rather
than made by this yenturous move.
rs this your writingw he suddenly
asked. showing me a morsel of paper
which he had drawn from his vest
pocket
looked and felt that l now under
stood what the pines had been trying
to tell me for the last few hours. That
scrap of writing had not
been destroyed 1t existed for her and
my undoing But Carmel was no fool
even If she had wild and demoniacal
moments. This could not be my note
to her-that fatal note which would
make all denial of our mutual passion
''Is IL your writingr my watchful
nquisitor repeated.
looked again. The scrap was small.
er than my note had been when it
eft my hands. If it were the same
hen some of the words were gone.
We're they the first ones or the last?
II would make difference in the read.
ng or. rather. in the conclusions to
be drawn from what remained. If only
he mist would clear from before my
eyes or he would hold the slip of paper
nearer. The room was very dark. The
the
"Is it your writingT Coroner Perry
asked for the third time.
There was no denying 1t. My writ
ing was peculiar and quite unmistak.
lble. | should gain nothing by saying
no.
1T looks like it." l admitted reluc-
family. but | cannot be sure in this
light. May ask what this bit of pa
per is and where you found it?''
Its contents | think you know. IA
for the last question, 1 think you can
answer that also If you WILL" Say
ng which be quietly replaced the scrap
If paper in his pocketbook.
] followed the action with my eyes.
caught fresh glimpse of darkened
edge and realized the cause of the faint
odor which had hitherto experienced
being conscious Of it. The
scrap had been plucked out of the
chimney. She had tried to burn it.
the fire and the smolder-
q
my touch. And this one-this. the most
important. the only important one of
them all-had flown. half scorched, up
the chimney and chung there within
easy reach.
The whole incident was plain to me.
and could even fix upon the moment
when Hexford or Clarke discovered
this invaluable bit of evidence. 1t was
Just before burst in upon them from
the ballroom, and 1t was the undoubt-
ed occasion of the remark thap over.
heard:
This settles it He cannot escape
is now"
During the momentary silence which
now ensued | tried to remember the
exact words which had composed this
note:
Tonight 1890 train-we will be
married at l.. Come. come. my dar-
ling. my life She will forgive when
al Is done Hesitation will only undo