The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-03-17
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
A CASE OF SUSPICION
BY ELLIOT WALKER.

When the serpent of suspicion
struck its poisonous fangs deep in the
ingenious heart of William barley,
he lost no time.
Few men were better known or
more thoroughly respected in Hard
haven, than William barley. He was
pleas ant, appreciate, simple of
speech and manner. despite his large
means
HIS placid, light blue eyes held
contCnted twinkle; his fair beard and
hair s off the rosiness of his round
face; his comfortable figure invited a
pat on the arm or back from his init
mates. Strangers smiled at him, in
voluntarily.
He liked joke; even an outrage
Gus pun made him laugh.
No one envied his money, his posi-
ton in society, or the lovely golden
haired wife whose cheeks and eyes
outshone his own in sparkle and love
of fun.
1t was Lucy barley who introduced
Reginald Wand to Hardhaven.
"The brother of an old schoolmate."
she explained.
That was sufficient for Hardhaven.
including William barley. His wife
might have introduced the devil him
self without a question from her dot
ing husband.
However, there was nothing Mephis-
tophelian in the appearance of Reg
inal Wand unless it was his extreme
darkness of complexion, hair and eye,
and the blackness of his beauty only
heightened his attractiveness.
Wand was a handsome youth, full
OF high spirits, gallant to perfection.
with low, thrilling voice, and a form
! OF remarkable shapeliness, albeit he
, was barely of medium height.
William barley, who dealt in real
estate and securities welcomed the
f, boy cordially, and forgot him. He
was little too youthful for William.
sHis wife, with motherly air, appar-
emily much amused over the anxiety
! OF this arrival to meet the most
charming young women of her set, led
him about as though he were a prize
dog to be admired and petted, which
he presently was.
Reginald Wand took the best bach
elor apartments at the best hotel.
His habits were excellent. An oc-
casional cigarette, a glass of wine
| cautiously slipped, were his only de-
partures from strict propriety. He
mingled little with the men, but treat.
! ed them all most courteously.
The women raved over him. He
was full of engagements, flirting
| harmlessly, and having a new admira-
ton every week
Yet he called dutifully at the Oar
leys almost every day, in the early
afternoons. He had much to recount
to Lucia barley of his doings. She
laughingly retailed the most amusing
of them to William.
Lucia barley alone showed some re.
lief at his going. OF late she had
been very quiet, and more than ever
| devoted to her husband. A month
later she confided a secret to William
at which he was over5oyed, for the
stork had so far passed them by. II
| proved to be a boy.
When the gratified man saw the
child, he glanced at the weak form
| on the bed, and went softly out OF
| the chamber.
In his agonized ears the remark OF
the nurse rang mockingly. Such a
head of hair, and so black"
With awful deElberation William
barley set to work. He had but one
thought. His brain with lightning
clearness traced back the months
The address of Reginald Ward? Yes
it was the city of Bin the state Of
New York. He remembered even the
street number
In his library he unlocked a desb
drawer, took out a revolver, and put
it in his pocket 1t was made fol
work, this heavy weapon; not play
He gnawed down the impulse to laugh
loudly, and touched a button on his
| desk.
One Of the nurses, Abe" he said
steadily, as the butler stood smiling
Yes, sab! Congratulations. sah'
"Thanksi"
The tidy professional nurse came
promptly.
How is she, Miss Laird?'
very weak, sir"
ANY danger?"
No, that is, she must be carefully
tended, see no one at present heal
nothing exciting for few days. Hel