A MYSTERIOUS CASE; OR, TRACING A CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 246, 17 October 1893, Page 6

A MYSTERIOUS CASE; OR, TRACING A CRIME.

BY E. F. SILL.

Anthor of 'The Dumb Dstective,"Prince and Poasaut,' 'Tho Twin Detectives,' etc. CHAPTER XLV. HAPPINESS. Mrs Ashton- was a woman of strong will. When she determined on a certain coarse, it won a difficult matter to turn her. She remembered Ruth's words. ' If Melville gives me up.' « Melville shall give her up, or I m much mistaken,' she said to herself _ So ono day she ordered the carriage and drove to hia house. She observed thab it looked quiet and dreary, but paid no attention to the fact. When the coachman had rung tho boll and inquired for Mr Norton, he turned to his mistress and said: , ' Tbere is crape on the door, madam. 'Indeed ? I wonder who is dead ?' Just then the door opened again. •Mr Norton will ccc the lady, said the servant, and Mrs Ashton found herself in the house where so much of her interest was contred. -in • Please walk in, madam, said the butler. Two gentlomen Bat together—a young man and an old one. ' Mr Norton ?' •That ia my name.' said Melville, and glancing at the card in his hand, added : ' Mrs Aahton ?' • Yes. I came to speak to you on a very painful subject, and would be glad if you would favour me with a private inter- ' This gentleman ia my solicitor, Mr Gregory.' Mrs Ashton bowed. 'I am terribly pressed for time, Mrs Aahton,' said Me!ville; 'bub of courae I will be delighted to hear what you have to Bay-' , ~ « He led the way to the reception-room, tor Mr Gregory and himself had occupied the library. . . 'I come, as I tell you, on a painful errand. Mr Norton, you know Miss Ruth Me Load?' 'I do.' ' Well—l scarcely know how to tell my atory—l waa present bhe day you wore married.' An expression of astonishment came over Melvillo's face. ' Married ?' he exclimed. • You were ill at the time, and I presume you havo no recollection of it. ' Do you mean to tell me, Mrs Aahton, that I am married to any ono ?' asked Melville, incredulously. ' I myself saw the ceremony.' ' When and where ?' 'At Sb. Mark's Church, in tho monbh of January.' 11 am bhundor-struck I I have been in a dream for months,' , ... 'So I understand. Now, Mr Norton, you hava ib in your power bo make bwo people very happy, or inbensely miserable.' ' How ?' Mrs Ashton briefly told Melville, the sbory of hia marriage to Ruth, and his desertion of her at tho altar. He listened attentively, though she fancied he looked very grave. She went on to tell of Frank's love for Ruth, and Ruth's love for Frank, and their engagement. To her delight, Melville's facfe grew brighter when he hoard tho last, portion of her story. 'And now,' said the lady, in conclusion —' now you understand what I moan when I say you can make two people happy. Be generous, Mr Norton, and give Ruth up. She no longer loves you, and you will nob be happy wibh her.' ' You have lifted a load off me I' said Melville, joyfully. 'My feelings towards Ruth have undorgone a complete change. Of course, if she wishod to hold me to my vow?, I could do nothing ; but, as ib is Let hor be huppy with your son.' 'I cannob adequately thank you,' said Mrs Ashton, rising bo go, ' Don't do so, I beg. You have nob heard my story—ib is liko bhe wildeab romance.' ' Ruth bold me something of it. She did nob like yoiir uncle.' ' Ho was not my uncle ;he waa an impostor. I had a visit from a detective this morning ; bub we knew the truth already. The miserable man is dead—fortunately for me —for he was about to rob mo of every dollar I have in the world.' ' How astonishing !' 'You may well say'so. "Truth is ■stranger than fiction." ' Mrs Aahton firafc soughb Rubh, whose heart was mude glad by the good news. Next poor brokenhearted Frank had to be told. . Aunt Agnos waa terribly bewildered, bub Bhe was so fond of Frank that alio announced her nearby approval of the raurriago. Ih was quietly performed before tho Ash tons sailed for Europe. A happier couple than Mr and Mrs Frank As'bton nover started on bheir honey-moon trip. Their love ia durable, aud will nob fade. CHAPTER XLVI. THE END. With early dawn jusb creoping into tho housa, tha spirit of Mrs Forrest book flight. The general lay in a stupor, and bho plivsiciana feared lor his life. About ben o'clock a carriage drew up ab the door, and a gentleman requested an interview with General Forrest. Ho was informed of tho state of affairs. ' I will see ono of the doctors,' he aaid, as my business ia of the utmost importance' The detective was conducted to the library, and Doctor Gower, the family physician, was requested to interview him. When the doctor entered. Hazard, the detocbivo, for he was bhe early visibor, told his story. The doctor was horrified. He had been been a friend of General Forrest for half a life-timo. • This is simply frightful!' ho exclaimed. ' The general is suffering from the shock of hia wife's torriblo death. Cannot this story be kept from him, at least for the present!' 1 lb can.' ' Aboub this woman, who told so much of her story I think I know her. She has bean living in the house as Mrs Forrest's maid.' ' Call her. I wish to see her.' The boll was rung, and Jasper appeared. 'Scud Mudame Ang3line here,'said tho doctor. ' She's gone, sir,' replied the boy. 1 Gone where?' 'I don't know, sir. Jnsb before Mrs Forrest ran down sboire, I mob Madame Angelino going out. Sho had on her borsnob and shawl, and Bhe waß pale as a ghost. ' And ''ho has nob returned ? _ 1 No, Ar. No ono haa soon her su.co ' Vorv well, Jasper ; that will do !' When the boy had retired, the two gentlemen exchanged glances. < it was a scheme of revenge, said trie doctor.

'Ib was murder,' replied the detective. ' Yes; and under the circumstances I think it is better to let it rest, for my friond's sake.' So the truth of the mysterious murder in the hotel never leaked out. Melville Norton found out all about his uncle's death in Georgia, and Mr Gregory severely blamed himself for not attending to the young man's wishes, when he first suspected that RedclifF was an imposter. Melville went into business, and is now as sharp a man as any in New York, and bids fair to double the fortune he so nearly lost. Aunt Agnea is still alive find hearty, and as she proudly says, 'Never has no nnrves, no inore'n whan she was sixteen.' [the end.]