Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-13
THE PARADISE MYSTERY
By J. S. Fletcher
oocy,on.. 1859. sy Alfred A. Knopt. rro.

Who was sheT demanded Bryce,
"Governess at the vicarage." replied
Claybourns. "Nics, sweet young lady"
ana the man she married?--Mr.
srake" continued Bryce. who was
"A young gentleman that used to
come here for the fishing, now ana
then, answered Claybourne, pointing
At the river. famous for our trout we
are here. you know, sir Mr.. Brake had
come here for three years before they
Rsnsford"
You remember him. tooy' asked
Bryce.
set eyes on either after Miss Mary was
wed to Mr.. Brake. But I saw plenty
or 'em both before that. They used TO
put UP at the Inn there--that saw you
come out of just now. They came two
or three times a year-and they were
bit thick with our parson OF that time
mot this one his predeccessor-and
they used to go up to the vicaraBe ana
smoke their pipes and cigars with HIM
and Of course, Mr. Brake and the gov
erness fixed It UP. Though, you know. at
one time II was considered II was going
to be her and the other young gentle
man. Mr.. Ransford-yes But. In tho
end, II was Brake--and Ransford stood
best man for him"
Bryce a8Slm1lated all tni9 tnfOrna-
ton, sreedily--and asked for more.
. I'm Interested in that entry he said,
tapping the open book 1T know some
people Of the name Of Bewery-they
may be relatives"
The shoemaker shook his head as II
doubtful.
II remember hearing It said" he re-
marked, that Miss Mary had no rela-
some time, and I don't remember any
relations ever coming to see her, nor
her going away to see any"
DO you know what Brake wasT
for a good many times befose Or the the mar. mar
riage. suppose you'd hear something
about his profession, or trade, or what
"He was q banker that one" replied
trade sir, tother gentleman. Mr..
Ransford, he was n doctor-I mind that
well enough, because once when him and
Mr.. Brake were fishing here, Thomas
her leg, and they. fetched him to her
he'd got II set before they'd got the
reg'lar doctor out from Barthorps
yonder."
Bryce had now got all the informa-
ton he wanted, and he made the old
to go. But another question presented
itself to his mind ana he re-entered the
little shop.
in whose family Miss Bewery was gov
erness-where Is he now? DeadT'
Cant say whether he's dead or alive,
SIR" replied Claybourne He left this
parish for another-a living In dif-
ferent part of Engiand-some years
since, and I haven't heard much Of him
from that time to this--he never came
back here once, not even TO pay us a
friendly visit-he was a queerish sort
But I'll tell you what, SIR" he added
evidently anxious to give his visitor
present vicar has one OF those books
with the names OF all the ciergymen In
'em. and he'd tell you where his prede.
cessor Is now. IL he's alive--name oi
Rev. Thomas Gilwaters, M. Am OK.
ford college man he was. and very higf
learned"
Bryce went back to the vicarage. re.
turned the borrowed book. and asked tc
look at the registers for the year 1891
He verified his copy and turned to tho
vicar.
II accidentally came across the record
of marriage there in which I'm in
terested," he said as he paid the search
fees. Celebrated by your predecessor
where Mr.. Gilwaters Is to be found. Dt
you happen to possess a clerical d.
rectory?" =
The vicar produced a Crockford, ant
Bryce turned over its pages. Mr.. Gil
waters, who from the account there
given appeared TO be an elderlycman who
had now retired, lived in London. II
Bayswater, and Bryce made note o.
his address and prepared to depart,
Find any names that interested
you?" asked the vicar as his caller left
Anything noteworthy
II found two or three names which in
terested me immensely" answered Bryce
from the foot of the vicarage steps
Ill - lE,ar ri
And without further explanation he
marched off to Barthorpe duly followed
by his shadow, who saw him safely into
the Peacock an hour later-and, an hour
after that went to the police superinten,
dent with his report
Gone. SIR" he said. Left by the
8 80 express for London"
Bryce found himself at II o'clock next
morning in a small book-lined parlor In
a little house which stood in a quiet
bourne Grove. Over the mantelpiece,
among other odds and ends of pictures
and photographs. hung water-coioi
drawing Of Braden, Medworth-and to
him presently entered an old, silver
haired clergyman whom he at once took
to be Braden Medworth's former vicar
and who glanced inquisitively at his Wis
itor and then at the card which Bryce
had sent IN with request for an in
terview.
"Dr Pemberton Bryce"
Bryce made his best bow and assumed
his suavest and most imigratiating man
ner.
Il hope I am not intruding on your
time, Mr.. Gilwaters?" he said. '"rh4
fact Is l, was referred to you, yesterday,
by the present vicar Of Braden Med
worth-both he and the sexton there.
Claybourne, whom you, OF course, re-
member, thought you would be able to
give me some information on subject
which is OF great importance-to me-"
II don't know the present vicar" re-
marked Mr.. Gilwaters, motioning Bryce
to a chair and taking another close by.
"Claybourne. of course. | remember very
well indeed--he must be getting an old
man now-like myself! What Is 1t you
want to know, now"
81 shall have to take you into my
confidence" replied Bryce, who had
carefully laid his plans and prepared his
story, land you. ! am sure, MIR. Gill
two years been in practice at Wry-
chester, and have there made the ac-
auaintance OF young lady whom I
earnestly desire to marry. She is the
ward Of the man to whom l have been
assistant. And think you will begin
say that this young lady's name is
Mary Bewery."
The old clergyman started. and looked
at his visitor with unusual interest. He
grasped the arm of his elbow chair and
leaned forward.
whisper "What--what Is the name or
the man who II her-guardian"
OR. Mark Ransford," answered Bryce
The old man sat upright again, with
little toss OF his head.
a. a.. -.