The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-03-15
CHAPTER IL
When the Mystery Began

Nnrn the mystery BeEan
Birgo Morcau. portrait artist by
avoca,ion. social idol whenever he
chose 10 be present AZ a function.
dubbed. facetiously. 'tho man OF
mystery" by his acquaintance. be.
cause he was given 10 mysterious
absences OF days or weeks at
ume-wns at work at his easel.
when his valet. rcltner. came into
the studio.
well. reltncr,"
"A young lady 10 see you. Mr
Morcau. She asked me 10 ray that
she brings a letter OF Introduction
from Nine. Duclcrc OF san Fran.
cisco"
Morcau sighed. He had looked
forward 10 an uninterrupted after.
noon at his easel.
svcry We'll" he said. Bring her
here. Feltncr. l may not deny my.
self 20 one whom Mime. Ducierc
sends 10 me-"
when Feltner brought her In no
stepped quickly forward in formal
greeting, for she at once quickcned
his artistic appreciation OF the beau.
,ifui.
II am Miss Dcnnlnsham." she
said. before no could speak Cora
DcnnlnEham. have note TO you
from Nine. Duclerc. whose daughter
Is my friend. VIII YOU forgive me
for intorrupting you at your work
wished. very much. 10 see you
without delay
There are intcrruptions--and In.
terrupfionH. Miss Drnninghafn."
Morcau replied. indicating chair.
ANY ono sent TO me by Mime. Du.
elerc may be sure OF a cordial rcecp-
ton"
she Eavc him the envelope and
seated herself while hs read;
Ny Dear Btrxe--rhis :. Cora Cunning.
ham. who g. rvonns's chuu ard crnss-
dan, and whom I love Amos, a. nu~h
- love fvoane. she IL In trouble. or
fancisa that she 10. which IL ths same
thinE--wi,h the yOans. am r~ndinK
her 70 you bseaess I know that you ear.
and will. advise rsr. and because ! kvo~
osnebody who can do tina, as wisely and
veil a. yoa- For the rest shs will en-
plain IN her own wsy, as she has dens to
me Ehe goes TO New York with her
father and mother and younger brother.
all Of whom I mention here because I
know that u will instantly occur 20 you
tina, her pareats should he her natural
sdvi.rrs-and also because believe this
eAss 20 be the exception that proves the
rule.
Morcau returned the note 10 It's
envelope with a perpicxed smile in
hts eyes.
This is rather n large order. isn't
IL. Miss Birmingham I assume
that you are aware OF the contents
Of this letter.
Cora nodded. "Mr. Moreau." she
began. Il have been brought to
New York by my father. very much
against my will. Ny mother and
my brother. Hugh. who Ii two years
younger than !. came with us. /
was IN despair when I was told Of
the journey and lts purport. and in
my misery I consulted Nine. Du.
clerc. She advised me to consult
you as soon as ! arrived. We got
in last night at IL. and-here / am"
/ II viii be glad. Miss Birmingham.
10 bcfriend you in any way that il
consistent" the artist replied. but
the most stupid blunder any man
could commit would be interference
with a parents authority"
Il Il know" Cora replied. II antlci.
pated that response. But--you will
let mo tell you my story. won't
+ your
Yes. IL you insist: and--slnce my
good friend Nine. Ducierc has re.
quertcd e."
Thank you. was brought here
TO be married 10 a man ! have never
seen-who does not want me for
wife--whom 1 do not want for hus-
band. have written one letter TO
him. and he has replied 20 II. That
r. tho extent Of our acquaintance
save that he inclosed his photograph
with his short letter TO me. Per.
haps I ought TO tell you-but, no; II
would be absurd
Miss Birmingham. II you tell me
anything ut all. you should tell me
everything"
what I WAS about 10 say really
has nothing whatever to do with my
story. Mr.. Moreau. referred to
an incident that happened last
night. When / had prepared for bed
and turned off the lights. stood at
my window. A light appeared in
two windows that are directly oppo.
site mine, and at the same level. At
one Of them the shade had not been
drawn. and. as | looked. n gentle
man in evening dress came into
view and seemed to be about TO
draw down the shade when. as IL
there was nm interruption. he turned
disappeared. then reappeared. fol.
lowed by another man. and at once
drew down the shade. The reason
why have mentioned II, or thought
OF II again, is