Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-03
Who Stole the Bride? And Why?
The Night of the Wedding
By C. N and A. M. WILLIAMSON
Authors of "The Lightning Conductor and other tasci-
mating romances of mystery and love
Copyright. 1924 Ledger Company

/ and that she'll never come back intot
his life again"
Some other infatuated man."
The police sergeant saw a maze
twisting ahead of him. 1t seemed to
him that there was some reason for
suspectinS that both these women
mother and daughter-knew more
than he was able to get out Of them.
He began to be thankful, after all,
that detective from London was
coming down.
When he had dismissed Miss
Gillett, he had Josephine in-Mrs.
Haste's maid-who had come down
by train in advance of her mistress.
And the Frenchwoman's answer to
his first question gave the old soldier
an odd construction of the throat
Yes. monsieur. do know some
thing TO make me suspect what has
become of mademoiselle-I mean
madame." she said.
Sir Rawdon Wells make her a
threat one time: she told cit to me,
for | been wiz her long time. She
give me much confidence. Sir Raw
dop say he will keel her il she mar
ry somebody not him"
What, YOU tell me Sir Rawdon
threatened TO murder the lady. yet
she accepts his invitation TO spend
her honeymoon in his house,"
clustered Arson.
Yes, monsieur. tell you zat,"
persisted Josephine. because II ess
re trute. Mademoiselle, she ees too
trusting. She tink no man can do
harm to her. She do not believe.
At &c first, she ees frightened--a
leetle: Sir Rawdon ees so fierce.
But next day she laugh, and say it
ny,l~- Sab All
forbid me to repeat what he say, to
Monsieur le Capitaine. She Is afraid
If | do he will not let her come to
stay in Zis house. And she wish to
come. She wish EFT very much. She
is in love wiz zis 'ouse. She would
almost ave marry Sir Rawdon for
oct, IL she had not meet re
capitaine."
You did not want her to come
here"
"Oh. no monsieur. I beg 'cr not.
But she say, STUFF and nonsense.'"-
You tell me you travelled down
before the captain and his bride.
Had YOU any idea that Sir Rawdon
was at the Court?'
Il ave re idea, yes. because 7 am
sure he will come. But know moss
ing. l dress madame for dinner
She is Apply and gay. She as no
fear. She forgets wat sir Rawdon
las said. lis ees all can tell you,
monsieur"
The constable at the door who
ushered Josephine out had a word
for his superior
The young lady, sir, Miss Haste,
wants to know IL YOU amt going TO
question herr"
Il hadn't thought Of doing So"
said Anson., she's so young--a
child. They say she only turned up
here while the Hastes were dining.
or about that time. She can't have
any information"
"She thinks she has, sir. She
wishes to speak with you; says it's
important"
"Oh, very we'll" agreed the ser
geant. SHOW the young lady in"
Pandora Haste came into the
dered why he had thought of her an
a child. His first impression OF the
young creature with the mop OF
| bobbed hair and big gypsy eyes was
, of a girl no more than fifteen at
most. Now il was woman who
| stood before him, a pale and tragic
ally beautiful woman.
The man felt suddenly embar-
raised. and did not know how to ad-
dress her.
Il think you said, Miss. you had
some statement of Importance TO
make" he mumbled Il suppose it's
about this sad business. If you hap
pen to know anything that can
help
Il know everything" Pan broke in.
II wish you had called me first. I
could have saved you a great deal
of trouble-and the others much
pain" u.
Il thought to spare you, miss"
Arson excused himself. You are so
young"
I'm grown up the girl said.
I'm a woman--a very unhappy one.
Have you never heard anything
about me to make you suspect /
might be connected within what
ever has happened TO Mrs. Haste?'
NO. miss. 1 haven't" replied An
son. not stopping to realize the in
congruity of her questioning him.
"All / know about you Is that
you're the younger sister of Captain
Haste"
Adopted sister" Pan corrected
him. That's more than being a sis
ter. / owe him everything. 1t was
he who adopted me, not his father.
He was little boy when / was left
at the door. ], a tiny baby. II it
tadn't been for him l should have
been sent TO some founding home.
By now. I might have been a SER
want. But he begged TO keep me.
He gave all his pocket money for
my expenses. That was the bargain
with his father to test his character.
It's Kennedy Haste who has edu-
Gated me. and given me lovely
home and all the pretty things I
ever wanted. Not many real
brothers would have made the sacri-
noes ne has. Is 1t any wonder l
edore him--that was absolutely
wild with rage TO see him falling
under the spell of a girl like Evelyn
CARROLL"