Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-03-15

steps and such other records as SIM
pity cases of this kind for the detec-
tives it could not have happened more
apropOS to the event. While this filed
me with relief in one way. 1t added
to my care In another. for the storm
which could accomplish so much In so
short a time was bitter one for a
young girl 10 meet. and Carmel must
have MT it ut it's worst in her lone
some struggle homeward.
The door behind me opened. and l
turned to face DR.. Perry, once prac-
ticing physician and my fathers init
mate friend. now a county official OF
no ordinary intelligence and. what was
better. of no ordinary feeling.
His attachment to my father had
not descended to me, and for the mo-
ment he treated me like stranger.
II am the coroner Of this district"
said be- II have left my bed to have
few words with you and learn II
your detention here is warranted.
They have told me what you had to
say in explanation Of your presence
here where a crime Of some nature
has taken place. But should like to
hear the story from your own lips.
You have been intending to marry
Miss Cumberland?'
YES" l looked the man directly In
the eye. "Our wedding day was set"
did you love her? Pardon me. II
l am to be of any benefit to you ut
this crisis must strike at the root Of
things. If 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 1t would be for Carmel to have
1t publicly known where my affections
were really conferred? IT am in no
position to conceal anything from you.
I did love Miss Cumberland. Wehave
been engaged for year."
IT see, and she returned your lover
Sincerely" Was the room light
enough to reveal my guilty flush? She
had loved me only too well, too jeal.
ously, too Accordingly for her happi.
ness or mine.
"And the sister,
1t was gently but gravely put, and
instantly I knew that our secret was
out, however safe we had considered
It This man was cognizant Of 1t, and
II he. why not others7 Why not the
whole town? I made my reply In these
words:
"Her sister Is her sister. 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 I saw that had lost rather
than made by this venturous move.
us this your writing?" he suddenly
asked, showing me q morsel Of paper
which he had drawn from his vest
pocket.
I looked and felt that I now under.
stood what the pines had been trying
to tell me for the last few hours. That
compromising scrap of writing had not
been destroyed. 1t existed for her and
my undoing. But Carmel was no fool
even ii 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
navailing.
lis it your writing?' my watchful
inquisitor repeated.
looked again. The scrap was small.
er than my note had been when 1t
left my hands. If 1t were the same
then some Of the words were gone
Were they the first ones or the iast1
It would make difference In the read.
ing or, rather. In the conclusions to
be drawn from what remained. If only
the mist would clear from before my
eyes or he would hold the slip Of paper
nearer. The room was very dark. The
THE
"Is 1t your writingr' Coroner Perry
asked for the third time.
There was no denying It. My writ.
ing was peculiar and quite unmistak.
able. I should gain nothing by saying
no.
1T looks IKE It," ! admitted reluc-
tantly. but l cannot be sure In this
light May I ask what this bit Of pa
per Is and where you found itT'
Its contents think you know. A
for the last question. think you can
answer that also If you WILL" Say.
ing which he quietly replaced the scrap
Of 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 I had hitherto experienced
without being conscious Of It The
scrap had been plucked out OF the
chimney. She had tried to burn It I
remembered the Gre and the smolder-
ing bits of paper which crumbled at
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 Ok 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 It was the undoubt.
ed occasion Of the remark then over.
heard:
This settles It He cannot escape
Us now"
During the momentary silence which
now ensued I tried to remember the
exact words which had composed thu
note:
"Tonight-10:30 train-we will be
married at P. Come. come. my dar.
ling. my life. She will forgive when
all is done. Hesitation will only undo
US. Tonight at 1890. Do not fail me-
shall never marry any one but you"
Was that all? had an indistinct
remembrance OF having added some
wild and incoherent words of passion.
ate affection affixed to her name. Her
name! But 1t may be that In the bur.
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