Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-11-09
AFFAIR AT
IT ~ RETH By Burton E: Stevenson Nns
- Honaday Case" Etc
New York Henry Holt Co-lsM.
CHAPTER overwhelmingly

CHAPTER xxIv-(Continued.)
"Of course. I don't know anything
about it," he said. but I've already
told you how the affair affects me.
Trust me, Lester. there's some terrible
wanted to say as much to Curtiss. but
didn't quite dare. That's why j shiver
at the thought Of that meeting. L pity
him when he comes face to face with
it. That reminds mel found an old
photograph Of him the other day" He
ment's search brought out q caro-. ne
gave 1t to me when we were chums
together at college," he added, and
handed It over to me.
1t showed Curtiss as he was at ~
or 81. The face was plumper than L
knew It. and the skin much falrer.
The hair was worn longer and the an
fully h singularly pure lines or the
lower portion of the face-a poetic
face. yet full Of fire and vigor.
we used to call him h Beaut
went on my companion. II told you
that he was rather girltsh looking.
Well. see here-here he is as the sou
brette. in a burlesQue we got up IN
SeLlOT year.
He handed me a group picture
central figure was q charming girl,
with admirable arms. hands. shoulders
an inimitable way of holding the
head. =
Great Scott" I shouted, s%pringing to
my feet. Don't you see it? Don't you
see 1t, man."
See It? See wnat. Lester" repeated
Mr.. Royce. in amazement. n the
matter. old fellow"
mo. I haven't gone mad" / laughed.
as he put q restraining hand on my
arm. It's tina key to the mystery" l
added, as calmly as I could. I'm not
going to tell you-I want you to see 1t
for yourself. Come along"
He followed me down to the street
without a word, though I could see how
his hand trembled as he took down MS
hat. I myself was quivering from head
to foot with excitement-with triumph.
What a blind fool I had been not to
suspect 1t long ago. Godfrey had
seen Curtiss, or he would have known
the instant his eyes rested on that
photograph!
Luckily, the journey was not a long
one, or / could not have kept the Sc
cret. !.
"Sit there" I said. when we reached
my room, and motiOned him to a chair
near the table. 1 turned down the light
and arranged my properties-let me
confess at nee to a secret liking Tor
the dramatic-the unexpected. The
I turned up the light.
Now. look at them" I said, and
pointed to the three photographs placed
side by side before him..
He stared at them-at Marcia Law
renee; at Burr Curtiss, smooth-faced
and girlish: at the soubrette.
I knew by h sudden deep breath he
drew that he understood. There could
be no mistaking. Feature for feature
they would not match at all; but there
was a tone, an expression, that little
way Of holding the head. "
"Of course" he said slowly. at last.
"Of course"
How easily 1t explained Marcia Law
rence's panic. her flight-there could be
no marriage, no explanation-only
flight!
There's one crucial test" I said,
glancing at my watch. It'll make 1T this
very evening""
An hour later. I was shown for the
third time into the study Of DR.. Schuy-
er at Elizabeth. He was sitting at his
desk, Just as I had found him once be-
fore.
"Ah, Mr.. Lester" he began.
"Dr. Schuyler" I interrupted, I've a
photograph here which I'm very n
ious for you to see This In it-whose
do o think 1t Isl"
He took 1t with a glance Of astonish-
ment, moved over to the table, and held
It beneath the rays Of the lamp.
why" he faltered, "why-it reminds
me very strongly OF young Boyd Endi-
colt, - he was when I knew him, 81
years ago."
Ny heart leaped.
~ a matter Of fact, DR.. Schuyler
I said. Its q photograph Of Burr Cur
,tiBs. a he was 10 years ago"
He stared at me Q q moment with.
I out understanding, then I saw the ligh,
OF comprehension in his eyes, and HI
sank heavily back into his chair.
Poor w0man!" he mur1nured hOarSe.
IL. Poor W0manl"
And all the way back to New York
I was wondering which Of the womel
he had meant. Which was h more I.
b pitied-the woman who, 80 years be
fore. had been whirled away from he
lover by q trick Of fortune: or tn
younger one, innocent and unsuspect
ing. discovering. only ut tho last mo
ment, tho horrible abyss yawning q
her feet7
Which Of the women had he meant
CHAPTER XIV.
THE REVELATION.
Neither MI. Royce nor myself wa
quito equal to the routine work Of tn
ofeice next morning. We had solved tn
mystery. indeed: but 20 tar from bring
ing NJ relief, the solution had brough
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