KILDEE; Or The Sphinx of the Red House.

BY MAY E. BRYAN,

Author of " The Bayou Bride," " The

Fugitive Bride," &c,

CHAPTER IX.

Hazard quitted HeathclifFs house in a state of high excitement. That this man knew the secret of his parentage, he fully be. lieved ; that his parents had left him money, of which Heathcliff had defrauded him, he began to suspect; but he had no proof ;he had no way of forcing the mayor's acknow ledgment His fiery impetuosity would have no effect upon the other's iron firmness. And how contemptuously the massive form of the mill owner had towed above him ! how scathingly his grey eye had run over the slander figure ! The boy chafed under the recollection.

"And he is Honor Montcalm's favoured suitor," was the thought that gave added bitterness to his mood. But he had no time to engage m specu lation, or to form visionary plans. He must work ; this was a present necessity. As he turned to enter the office of the " Rattler, he could see in the distance the volumes 01 black smoke pouring out of the tall chimneys of HeathclifFs factory and staining the blue 8 "'Curse him !" he thought. He, has no need to work. He will order his phaeton and take his lady love to drive this bright afternoon." • . ; Dyke, the leading editor, looked up from his desk as Hazard was passing on. " It seems to me you are not attending to your business today," he said. " I sent you the old files of the ' Republic that you might hunt up that repoit of Heathclifl s speech when he ran for Congress five years ago.and pick out the damaging paragraphs to comment on and show up in a strong light; and here you are out of your place running around.'' • Hazard vouchsafed no reply, but ran up stairs to his den, where he threw himself in a seat before his desk. He pulled to him the file of yellow newspapers, but before he began to examine them his eye fell upon the roll of legal cap over which he had been boring the night before. ' They were papers relating to the inquest held over the body of Captain Montcalm—the statement of the surgeon who examined the body, and the evidence of the two servants who discovered it and of the persons who lived nearest the house in which the murder was committed; also the testimony of other persons who had intimated a knowledge of some circum stances that might throw light upon the

crime. , The evidence had seemed of little value to Hazard when he looked it over last nitrht; now, as he drew the papers to him, half mechanically, a flush mounted to his brow. The name of Ira Heath cliff had caught his eye. He read with new interest the statement of one John Bowen, a carpenter, who attested that, while passing HeathclifFs house, be tween nine and ten o'clock on the night of the murder, he had seen Laura Montcalm go into the mayor's yard by aside gate and enter the house. He seemed to have been positive of this at first, but on being further questioned, to have admitted the possibility of having been mistaken. He had caught only a glimpse, he said, of tha woman, and he barely knew Mrs Montcalm by sight. On its being shown that Mr Heathcfiffs housekeeper—wearing a dark dress, such as Mrs Montcalm wore that night, accord ing to the maid's testimony -had returned from a wedding party (the same which Fanny attended) at half past ten, it was decided that this was the woman in black whom John Bowen had seen entering HeathclifPs premises. True, the' carpenter had at first affirmed it was but half-past nine when he saw the supposed Mrs Mont calm, but afterward he declared that he wouldn't give a guess at the time. It miffht have been earlier than ten or it might have been later. He " wasn't paym no attention to the triilin' circumstance, anyhow." . , . Bowen had been dismissed and his testi mony set aside as worthless. Nevertheless, Hazard referred to it with an interest that deepened into eagerness as he suddenly connected it with something he had read while he was in the mayors room. This was nothing less than the note written on the enveloped card which had seemed to annoy Heathcliff so greatly. He had tossed it from him, and it fell face upwards upon the table, During the half minute when he waited in suspense for the mayor to answer his question about his parents, Hazard's glance had casually dropped upon the card lying just beneath his eye. In voluntarily, without being conscious at first of what he was doing, he read the three or four lines written on the dainty, silver edged square of pasteboard. Even in that anxious moment, they struck him as being very strange, particularly as written to the grave and stately mayor, who had never been known to pay attention to any woman but Honor Montcalm. There was no address, no. signature, only these lines:

"I find I can not give up that imprudent whim, as you call it. I have set my hdart upori if so humour mo this once, my best and; dearest, and come for me to-night. Remember liow long I have been starved for music. Who had written these Avprda of familiar endearment to Ira Heathcliff—" the model of propriety " ? Hazard said bitterly—who had never been known to be more than courteous to any woman until be bowed at the shrine of General Montcalm'a

daughter. , . What woman could it be •who had written these lines, and why should her going to the opera be called " imprudent" ? It was not Honor Montcalm. The handwriting was not hers. Nor was it like her to gx press herself in this way. Hazard determined to be at the opera house to-night, and see the woman who had written this unsigned note to the lover of Honor Montcalm.

He resolved, too, to hunt up John* Bowen, and question him more closely con cerning the woman he had seen entering Heathcliti's gate the night of the murder. With his usual energy, increased by excite ment and by the thought that he wag working against Heathcliff, he turned his attention to the newspaper files, found the mayor's old speech, picked out the damag ing paragraphs, and succeeded, by the light of strong comment upon them, to give them a darker and more" " damaging " significance. He carried the article to the senior editor, who read it with a little twinkle of approval in the corners of his eyes, but only said, "That'll do." and sent it into the composing-room. As Hazard was going out he called to him. " Hall," he said, "we have just sent a note to General Montcalrii, asking permis sion to announce him as an independent candidate f>r governor. You had best fol low it, and get his answer by word of mouth. If he seems to hesitate* do your best to bring him around. He must be our inau ; ho,other will answer." " I will do mon -possible," Hazard returned j wad hastily catching up his hat, he took his wily to the Monfccahn mansion, The general wa3 suffering from a uligH attack of asthma, but ho welcomed his young visitor cordially. " I have just read tho letter frotri y6ur office," ho said. "I thanU you tind your friends for tho compliment Implied in yottr

Request. If I were afe liberty to consult my own inclinations, I might possibly accept your proposal, but —" " I trust, general., that you are not going to decline to be brought forward in this campaign. I know you have retired from the political field,butduty to your State calls you back. It can not afford to miss you at a time when talent and integrity are so much needed ab the helm of affairs. And the hour is ripe for success. _ The recent nominations created no enthusiasm. Norton, the Republican nominee, is a worn out political hack. Heathcliff has a local strength, but? it will tell against him in the State. He i 3 too much identified with Wallporb, and every town in the State is jealous of Wallport's prosperity. Your interests lie in the lower part of the State, and your reputation is national. Now is the opportunity for an independent candi date to come in and sweep the Held. A man able, magnetic, of stainless public and private record, with his name haloed by memories of noble and self-sacrificing deeds in a by-gone struggle — such a man as General Rolff Montcalm," Hazard said, rising and bowing before the general with the grace of a young Mercury. The ex-politician smiled, well pleased ; his fine eyes kindled. " Yoiir words stir me as the bugle blast stirs the war-horse, my young frieud," he said. " The passion for combat never dies out in the human animal, and I confess I feel like rushing to the fray; but there are considerations that hold me back. Money rather than merit declares the political contests of to-day; and I have not wherewithal to glid my armour suffi ciently. " " Oh ! as to that, did not Colonel Dyke's letter explain ? La Rue, the banker, will furnish a heavy sum for campaign pur poses, as much through hate of Heatheliff as liking for you. They are the rival rich men of the city, you know. Carleon will give liberally. Heathcliff has gained his ill-will by his action against gambling saloons and the liquor business. Of course, -general, a man" of the worldlike you will hot refuse to make use of a stepping-stone because ifc is put down by a hand not ex actly clean. But mfly I ask if this money question is the only drawback to your acceptance ?" "It is not. That difficulty _ might be overcome. There is another which weighs on me more cogently. Mr Heathcliff is the favourite candidate.and Mr Heathcliff is my daughter's accepted suitor." " Accepted ?" The blood dropped from Hazard's glowing cheeks. " I did not know ; I had not heard that Heathcliff had been accepted," he almost stammered. " Yes, three days ago. You see, there is an insuperable obstacle to my seizing the opportunity offered me." " But," said Hazard, into whose mind had flashed the circumstance of the note he

had read on Heathclift's desk, with it 3 "best and dearest." "Bub what if this obstacle were removed—if the engagement were broken ?" "Broken? Ira Heathcliff trifle with a daughter of Montcalm ? He would not dare." " Such was not my meaning. If Miss Montcalm should herself dissolve the en gagement?" "Honor ia no coquette. She is deeply attached to her betrothed. And Mr Heath cliff is a man of unblemished character —a fine, strong nature." " Certainly," interposed Hazard, wincing at this praise of his rival. "But —pardon my persistence —circumstances, now un foreseen, may occur to break off this tie. If this should be, will you then consent to have the 'Rattler' announce you as can didate for governor ?" " Why, yes ; but—" " Thanks; we will be discreetly silent until permitted to speak, though a few paragraphs thrown out as feelers may not be amiss. Once more, let me ask pardon for my importunity arid thank you for allowing me to ..trespass so long upon your time. Good morning, general." As Hazard walked through the hall on his way oat of the house, a strain of music an-ested his steps. The door of the draw ing-room was open; he could see Miss Moutcalm at the piano. She looked up, nodded t6 him, rose and oatoe to the door. ' The white jasmine that caught the folds of her lilac muslin robe at the throat was not whiter than the heck and face above it. Yet with this marble-like skin she had very dafk eyes arid brows, while her hair was a soft-bronze yellow — the colour of youilg ferri leaves ;when they first unroll. Thia rare combination increased the strangeness which gave an ideal charm to Honor Mont calm's beauty. "I have just left your father," Hazard said, in explanation of his presence. " Your music drew me like a spell. Apropos of : music, you are going, of course, to hear the opera to-night. For once the entire com pany is excellent, if we may trust the musical critics. It will be a rare treat for our city." " Yes. lam sorry to miss it ; but I am due at Mrs Duval's to-night. Her party is in compliment to her sister, Miss Hunt, and it would be thought unkind if I failed to be there."

"I, too, have a card from Mrs Duval. May I be so happy as to aatend you ?' "I am going with my father, if he is well enough. And Mr Heathcliff will accompany us," she added, a faint blush rising to her cheek. 4«lf Mr He'athcliff should fail to come, may I take his place ?" She looked tip in surprise. '♦It is not likely that he will fail to come,"she said. Then, seeing that Hazard still looked at her with eyes of eager ques tioning, she added : "If anything should keep Mr Heathcliff from coming, I will be glad to avail myself, of your escort. Ido not really think my father will care to go." "Thank you," Hazard said, and bowdd his adieu.

H& had based his request solely upon those' words written on the card that lay oh Heathcliff s table.

CHAPTER X. AT eight o'clock that evening, Hazard rang the door bell at General Montcalm's, and was shown into the drawing-room. No one was there. He walked the floor impatiently, listening for HeafchclifPs step. At length, there was a silken rustle, and Honor came in, fair and stately, wearing pure white with pearls.'; • " Mr Heathcliff is late," Hazard said. She answered quietly, " He is not coming. I had a note from him a few hours ago." "His dereliction is my good fortune," Hazatd whispered, trembling with elation, as he folded the white opera cloak about her. She seemed to resent his tone. "Mr Heatholiff has duties that cannot yield to pastimes,-" she said coldly. " And he supjoosed my father was going with me." "Tfceh Heathcliff did not go to the dpef a. I heard—l mean I thought—" "What?" she asked, giving him a shatp, level glance. " Nothing ; I spoke too fast. Shall we go flow ?" " Yes," she answered. But in spite of he"r haughty indifference, Hazard felt sure that his suggestion about the opera had sunk into her mind. He was not surprised at her ready assent to his proposal that they should look in at the opera before going to the party. The curtain was up, the piece was in progress, as they took their seats. Hazard swept a hasty glance around the theatre. He failed to see Heatbeliff, but a second more careful survey showed him the object of his search, seated in a lace-curtained box. And there was a woman besido him. . Only' ihe outlines of hoi" .shape could ;K6 tr*6iv 'through ' fcHe'- Ikcse ardperlds; ' and these were naif hidden by v light

shawL. Her face was turned toward) the sfca«e; She ware a biack. bon-j neb and" a black gauze reil. Hazard j glanced afc Honor. A slight flush mantled her usually marble cheek, her eyes were turned to the box where safe her affianced, | who had broken his engagement with her that he might take another' woman to the opera. And that woman—what was she like* Hazard fervently hoped that she might prove young and beautiful He had even a wild fancy that behind that veil might be the features of Laura Montcalm. As the opera proceeded, the lady, evi dently absorbed in the music, leaned fur ther out of the box—beyond the shadow ot the curteins. Hazard was watching her through his opera-glass. A sudden noise in the back part of the house made her turn her head quickly. Hazard gave vent to a muttered imprecation. The woman was old ; the woman was hideously ugly. White hair and wrinkles and a nose large and hooked in shape could be seen by the aid of the glass in spite of the veil. But this was nob all. One side of her face was very dark, nearly black, he looked around at Miss Montcalm for an explanation. He could but notice how Honor's face had brightened. "It is Miss Faust," she whispered. " The queer old maid recluse who lives by herself in that gloomy old place, the Red House. She is dreadfully disfigured—is hump-shouldered and has a purple mark over all one side of her face. She is very sensitive to ridicule, wears a veil all the time, and never goes out or sees anyone but Mr Heathclitf. All her charities are dispensed through him ; she is very kind hearted and liberal to the poor. Her house has a wall around it, and a locked gate guarded by a dusky Cerberus. I have seen her out but once before; then she was riding with Mr Heathliff. She is muaic mad, he told me once ; that explains why she is out to-night, invalid though she is. Of course, Mi- Heathcliff had to como with her. He gave up the party that the poor old recluse might not miss a rare pleasure.' Her voice had a satisfied tone, which in creased Hazard's irritation. He was keenly disappointed. He had hoped that singular note might lead to the discovery of some secret; but in Honor's words, he saw a very commonplace solution of the mystery. The writer was an invalid ; this was the reason she feared her friend might think it " imprudent" for her to go out at night. " What a fool I am," thought Hazard. " But why should she call him her best and dearest 1 Truly an odd fashion of address ing one's business manager. Phoo ! women usually express themselves in an absurdly extravagant Way." Still, do what he might, he could not divest himself of the feeling that some mystery surrounded the writer of the note. A shadowy suspicion stole into his mind. He turned to Honor : " How long has Miss Faust been living

here ?' ho asked. "Oh I a good many years. She camo here with a consumptive brother when I was a school-girl. The brother died ; she has only one relative in the world, Mr Heath cliff says—a brother who lives in Ger many." . " She has lived here a good many years, repeated Hazard, and his vague suspicion melted into nothing. But he kept the opera-glass fixed upon the veiled woman, watching her with a tascinated gaze. When the curtain fell upon the first act Hazard and Miss Montcalra quitted the theatre. Mr Heathcliff had risen to make his way to Honor, but seeing that she was leaving, he paused. Their eyes met; his were anxious, deprecating; her beaming look reassured him. Hazard bit his lip in vexation. Evidently, Honor Montcalm re garded her future husband with implicit trust. How, could he shake his proud faith?-he whom sho thought of, only asjher father's protege. He had the first dance with her after they came into the ball room. His hand trembled as it held hers ; he feared she must, notice it, but she waw calmly unconscious,. Hoofed her to a seat, and a crowd of admirers came around her. She left them presently to take the arm of an old war comrade of her father, who had his wife on his other arm. Hazard stood looking after her fascinated, mad dened by her swqet cold beauty. " She is a woman, therefore toba won," he quoted at last. Then he quitted the ball-room and went back to the opera honse —not entering, only walking back and forth before the building waiting till the play was over. At length, the crowd began pouring out of the doors, and soon he dis cerned the mayor's tall form, overtopping all others ; and", leaning heavily on his arm, waß the veiled woman. The defect in her shape was plainly apparant now; and as she passed the gas-light near which Hazard was standing, he had a full view, through her veil, of the discoloured half of her face. But notwithstanding this, so strong was the impression made upon him by the note, that he determined to follow Heathcliff and the eccentric old lady. They entered a handsome, quiet-looking carriage and he jumped into a waiting cab, spoke a word to the cabman, and was driven off in the direction the carriage had taken, keeping that vehicle in sight. Hazard had seen the Red House, but

• never before had he noticed how isolated it was even In the midsfc of the city. It was J situated on a large corner lot upon a..hill, 1 two sides of which were cut down to the 1 pavement, forming a high, steep terrace, walled with rock. Surmounting this ' terrace was a spiked iron railing, and be hind this a thick evergreen hedge. The grounds inside were deeply shaded with 1 shrubbery and trees. Several live-oaks and magnolias were grouped about the tall, ■ sombre house, hiding even the roof from 1 the vieSv of those passing along the street ? below. | Half a dozen stone steps in the terrace led up to a gate in the iron fence. Heathcliff • was handing the veiled woman up these steps as Hazard drove slowly past. The 1 carriage had been sent away; the mayor was going in With the strange recluse. The gate was unlocked by the '! dusky Cerberus," the pair passed through, and were lost to sight. Hazard signalled the cabman to stop when they reached the next block, and he alighted, dismissed the cab, and walked back to the gloomy corner house that held the objects of his curious attention. So high and steep was the terrace that nothing could be seen beyond the spiked fence and the overtopping hedge. He crossed to the opposite side of the street. Standing there, he could see a mass of dark foliage rising up beyond the hedge, and through it one gable of the house. But there was ho gleam of light proceeding from it. He recroesed th© Street, and walked slowly around the triangular rock wall. He was about to quit the place, and banish the vague idea- that any mystery attached to ity when he heard a sound of singing proceeding from the dark, silent old house* He stood still on the instant, and listened. Yes, it Waa the fragment of an air from the opera-— "La Favorita"— which had befcti sung to-night. And what a sweet, rich, fresh voice it was that thrilled forth, and then Was silent as a bird suddenly sings out in its dream on some moonlight night; and then is as sud denly still. The song-burst w*i justs S, few notes, that was all. it broke off, as though the einger had suddenly been checked by somfe warning thought or word. Bud that Strain Was enough to excite Hazard's imagination; ''I don't go from here ta-fcight until I make some effort to see what ia inside this old house—regular ntmnery-lookihg concern thafc it iSj" he said to himself. " That Was never thfe voice of old Miss Faust—never." He turned the eortier and Walked on until he reached the, house adjoining Miss FauSt'Si It w-a8 enclosed by a neglected 1 fence* and (hi building inside was tali,

narrow and very much dilapidated. A placard on the door announced thafc it was "ToUent."

Hazard looked about him. No police man was in sight. He put his hands on the paling and "sprang lightly over into the yard. He went round to the side adjoining the domain of Miss Faust; here, separat ing the two lots, he found the same iron spiked brick wall and overtopping hedge that shut in the Red House on the front and sides. Trees and thick shrubbery also filled the back yard, and only a portion of the rear walls and roof could be seen. But Hazard caught the gleam of light playing on the tops of some tall oleander crowing near the wall. Evidently the Tight came through an open window of the Red House.

If he could only see into that window ! From its secluded situation in the rear of this building, and at the end furthest from the street, he imagined this must be a very private boudoir or bedroom. If there was any mysterious inmate of the Red House who wished to be unseen and unsuspected, this would probably be her sanctuary. Here, believing herself safe from observa tion, screened by trees, and with only a vacant house adjoining, she would feel safe to open her window for the sake of fresh air ; perhaps to stand before it and reveal herself to the gaze of one who might secure a post of observation. If he could only obtain such a post! Hazard looked about him. Close at hand was a tall magnolia tree. He was active as a catamount, and, with an agile spring, he caught the lower bough and swung himself to a seat in the tree. Then ho climbed higher — climbed until he reached a point on a level with the window whence the light proceeded. The blind was open, the curtain withdrawn. He could see a lighted and prettily fur nished interior—pictures on the wall, and a handsome dressing-case and tall mirror, but no occupant —no living presence. Well, he would wait until he did see some one—wait an hour if necessary. His posi tion in the tree was rather cramped, but that did not matter. He did not mind discomfort when he had an object in view. Otherwise, he was amusingly luxurious in his predilections for one of his Bohemian lot.

Moments passed. His enthusiasm was beginning to die out, when again ho heard a bird-like note—another strain from " La Favorita"— tender, sweet, sad. It was as brief and stopped as suddenly as before. While it still lingered in Hazard's ears, a bat fluttered before his eyes, momentarily obscuring his view. When he looked again, the space in front of the table with the canary's cage was occupied. A woman stood there—a woman dressed in black, as Miss Faust had been, but wholly unlike the old recluse in shape; neither bowed nor stoop-shouldered, but tall, slender, beautifully formed, with a grace ful neck and finely - poised head. Her back was turned to Hazard, but he felt sure she must be young. The curves of the form, the carriage of the head, all in dicated youth. She had a light, black lace square thrown over her head, and Hazard could not see her hair, but he was certain he caught gleams of gold through the meshes. She put her hand to the cage, and passed her fingers through the wires to caress the bird that had wakened and was fluttering on its perch. She leaned over and sang a little, short sweet trill—joyou3 this time—a merry good-night to her feathered friend. Hazard had taken out his opera-glass, and was intently examining the figure, the neck, the hand of this graceful shape. " Why doesn't she turn round?" he said to himself in an excited whisper; but at that very instant his hopes were cruelly nipped. The heavy curtain fell across the window, effectually shutting in the room and its occupant. Who had drawn the curtain ? Hazard was almost ready to swear it was a man's black-coated arm that he had seen, though he had the merest glimpse of it as the cur tain dropped. He remained some time in his tree-perch, but,"finding there was noth ing to be gained, he came down, and made his way back to the street and to tho front of the Red House. He ascended the steps and rang tho bell of the gate. A shuffling step was heard approaching. But the gate was not opened. The negro Cerberus put his mouth close to it and demanded in a low growl : "Who is yer, and what yer want dis time er night ?"

"I have a package for the young lady who lives here—Miss—plague upon it 1 I can't think of her name." .

"No young lady lives here. No lady 'tall lives here but ole Miss Faust."

"But there is a lady visiting here, younger than Miss Faust." "No, dey ain't, nuther. Don't yer contydic me again. . No lady in dis house but Miss Faust. Now, you go 'long Wid yerself an' yet package." There was an honest ring in the old negro's voice: but Hazard, was not con vinced. He felt sure there was another and younger woman than Miss Faust in the house. That shape, that voice, could not belong to the crooked old recluse.

Miss Montcalm was waiting for him when he got back to Mrs Duval's. As he led her to the carriage, he said : "So Mr Heathcliff did not come here after the opera."

" The opara is not yet over* I suppose." "It has been over for the last hour. Mr Heathcliff went home with Miss JTaust. He sent away the carriage and went in. He has been there ever since—listening to music, ior one thing. A delicious, fresh voice; I heard it; yet you said that Miss Faust never has visitors."

" I said what was true. Mr Heathcliff told me that no visitor but himself ever crossed her threshold. Doubtless you were mistaken. The voice was not fresh."

Hazard did not reply. He was mentally calling himself a fool for having allowed jealousy to get the better of discretion. It was just possible that in this Red House matter might exist a clue to the problem he had in hand, and now his unguarded speech to Honor might be the means of forestalling any further investigation. She would be sure to ask Heathclitf about that fresh young voice and he would be put upon his guard. On the other hand, ifc was all-important, Hazard reasoned, that Honor should have her trust In her lover shaken. The engagement between them must come to an end; everything depended on this— everything for him; everything for the large party who were opposed to the late nominations. If the engagement was broken up, he might enter the lists for Honor's favour with a chance of success, while the general would enter the political contest with almost a certainty of coming out ahead. And in the event of his elec tion, he would be sure to reward himself (Hazard) with some position that would prove a stepping-stone to liis ambition* As, his mind ran swiftly along this chain of thought, he determined to tell Miss Mont calm about the woman he had seen through the window, first asking her to be silftnt. "A promise of silence from any other woman that I know wouldn't be worth a sixpence," he said to himself, " but this girl wae brought up by her father. She has-a man's notion of honour. If she makes a promise she will keep it." After they had driven to her home, he de tained her on the moonlit porch. " I told you about the voice I heard sing ing in the Red House," he said, " but that Was not all. There is something stranger still—strange in view of your assertion that the house has no white occupant but the old maid recluse. I would li ke to tell you under your promise that you will never speak of it."

"Ido not like to give such a promise," she said. " I think you had better not tell me what you saw;" , "But I very much msh to toll youi be cause you iriay help me by some auprarostlon. Tha matter Js connected with my efforts to

fulfil a misssion entrusted to me by your father—a secret mission."

" \Vhy not speak of it to him ?" "Because it is so' vague—just a shadow —the kind of thing a woman's quick in stinct grasps when man's reason is baffled." She said : "I know of the mission rriy father intrusted to you." And then, after a pause, " I promise not to speak to anyone of what you may tell me." '•'lt is this: There is a mystery about the Red House. You may tell me, and the" old janitor tells me, there is no one there but Miss Faust, yet f heard that voice— the voice of a young woman, I will swear— and I saw the figure af a woman, well shaped and graceful, standing in an upper room at the back of the house, the win dows of which cannot be seen from the street."

"How, then, did you manage to see the woman ?".

He laughed and told her. "A detective must not stickle at means to gain his end," he said. She listened, and was silent for a minute. Then she said coldly : " You did not see the woman's face, you had only a glimpse of her figure. You might easily have been mistaken. You must have been mistaken. The person you saw must have been Miss Faust herself. '

" Miss Faust! that misshapen old woman < You do not think me blind, do you? It is plain you will not heed anything that casts a doubt upon Heathcliff. would Miss Faust be likely to call him in a note, •My best and dearest' ?"

" What do you mean ?" "Simply that I saw to-day—no matter how—a note to Heathcliff from a woman asking him to take her to the opera to night, and calling, him smy best and dearest.'." . . .

" This is absurd. Mr Heathcliff took Miss Faust to the opera." "Yes, the other woman—the writer, of the note—was left at the Red House. It was not considered safe for her to appear in public—thickly veiled though she would no doubt have been."

"Mr Hall, I do not share your sus picions, and I must ask you not to trouble me with them any more ; at least, so far as you connect them with Mr Heathcliff." " So Miss Montcalm's love chooses to be blind and deaf. Your father has told me that you have promised to marry Heath cliff. You think him a perfect Bayard, incapable of dishonour; I trust, for your sake, he may prove so. Meantime I nave my doubts as to his infallibility, and I shall —watch him."

She looked at him with eyes full of scorn. " Allow me to say good-night," she said with scarcely a motion of Her proud head, as she stepped away. He stepped before her, bonding his black curled head low : "Forgive me. I was presumptuous," he murmured, and stretched out his hand. He was handsome, gifted, daring, her father's favourite. She hesitated a little, and then extended her hand to meet his. He caught it to his' lips and kissed it.

" You must forgive me, for X love yon," he cried passionately, and rushed away.

THE ATTHKLAffP EVENING STAR. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1887.

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(To be Continued.) Drapery, Clothing. &c prize I orJK.JL.Wva | prize Dressmaking Competition. "I NTENDING COMPETITORS are re quested to enter their names on or before j SATURDAY, September 24. The Hat will close on that date. Four weeks will ba allowed competitors in .which to complete their work. Costumes will be returned immediately the award is made. W. P. OGILVIE, — Victoria-street West. EVERY LADY HER OWN DRESSMAKER. To secure a Perfect Fit and Newest Style, try OPTTERICK'S riXJT pAPER TpATTERNS. Metropolitan Fashions, Illustrating Patterns, monthly, Id each ; 2s per annum, post free. AGENT— Vh. P. OUILYIE, DRAPER, VICTORIA-STREET WEST. OQ ■dS'cij-ww I. i'Vi s* I I fig*! a -9 £ BSIIB t£ •&> % .»J»ja 1 « § 1 ***** O t _ *tJ GO co GO go co r/i to r§ * • !a' -3} fe o '8 S 5j ■g • : : S3 :'i 2 < spoHa Q.REAT "BARGAINS V AT THE BABYMNEN & LADIES' , Mn .UNDERLINBN WAREHOUSE. (OOPairaLadiea'MQwered and Wain Silk Gloves, woS^lfto^M 1?^ 3 '011^^ &iUi 1,000 Dozen Metal Buttons, ail sizes and colours. at 3d per Dozen; worth Is 6d to 3s 6d per Dozen. ■ 600 Black Jet Buttonß, 2d per Dozen; worth Is, 200 Dozen Assorted FriDings, at Id to 6d pot neck length; worth 4Jd to Is per neck length • beautiful and new goods. 60 Ladies' Crinolines, lit 2s Ud; woffch ?a 6d to 12s 6d. 200 Pairs Ladies' and Children's Beaded CuflS, 150 Children's Coloured Dresses, lined, from 2s 6d to 7s 6d; Worth 5s 6d to 12s6d; 55 Ladies' Reversible Waterproof Cloaks, 5a lid: worth 15s 6d. 40 Children's Wool Pellisses and Walking Dresses*at 3s lid to 6s Ud; worth 8s 6d to 12s 6d; bought a great job, . . a) Girls' Wool Jackets, 3s 6d tgsa 6d; Worth 5s od to 9s f»d. 36 Dozen Children's Drawers, size* -1 2, 3t. & ▼cry cheap, per Pair, lid, Is, Is id^ Is 2d! . and Is 3d. , The Largest and Cheapest Assortment of Babr linen and Ladies' Underlinen in Auckland Men's Blue and White, Black and White Tie*. from 9d and Is.. ■ P. DAVIS6N, . ' NO. 9. JUNCTION QUEEN & 6SlnrOT&



Watches. rpHE CORRECT TIME! WITHIN REACH OF ALL. TEN YEARS AGO STEWART DAWSON & Co., Liverpool, Struck the keynote of sound commercial trad ine by opening the portals of their Factory to the actual consumers, THE GENERAL PUB LIC, thus sweeping away at one blow the exor bitant profits of the Middleman and Retail Dealer. The results attendant on this, the only real and beneficial system of grading with ad vantage to the buyer, has been An Unqualified Success, Unprecedented in the annals of English ■Watch making. mr READ THIS. Just to hand, ex s.s. Kaikoura, a Large Stock Of GOLD AND SILVER JEWELLERY,Iatest fashions. These Goods having left Liverpool on the Ist June last, our Customers can depend on them being quite new, arid are no part of Bank rupt's Stock, or old fashioned Jewellery, to be disposed of at any price. The readers are invited to call and inspect the Goods. Every article guaranteed, and marked lowest possible mice, as usual with S.D. & Co no ir o —S.D. and (Jo. s well-Known iinglisli aCrO i-Oo Silver Hunting Levers. nA i X c —S. D. and Co.'s English Silver 3C»t: 1"" Hunting Levers, chron. balance, extra j ewelled. Worth £8 Bs. £r 1 r\a— S. D. and Co.'s new Excelsior 3- D lUb pi ate English Levers. The Model Watch, well worth £1010s. no 1 Krj—S. D. and Co'.'s Ladies' English Sil 3QO XOo ver Hunters. Will last alifetime. jr»a 1 Ka— S. D. and Co.'s Superb Hunting g&U 100 chronograph Levers, worth £12 10; or Crystal Glass, £5 15s. JPfi 10a~^' D" an(^ Co.'s Silver Keyless 3C»v J.VS Hunting Lever, value for £10 10s. Open face, £5 lOs. jr?-j 1 So— The wonderful Sterling Silver 3&i A^o Defiance Hunter, worth £3 10a. Open face, £17s 6d. ■Pft lOa—S. D. and Co.'s Official Railway «ww -i"" English Keyless Lever, unequalled at £1010s.. £12l0s, £15 10s, £18 10s, «, £}i)Z>— S.D. and Co.'s Superb 1--carat X a&AO Go id English Lever and Half Chronometers, never equalled under 40 per cent more. £6 10s & £7 lOsiiSf a?B d-cS 9t Gold Keyless Watches, perfectgoms, worth £1010s. 10s & 10s & 10s —S.D. & Co.'s Ladies 18-carat Gold English Levers. Savo at least 50 per cent, bypurchasing from the makers. £11 10s & 103-& sl£a r-wor* /•Ol^ r, /" Qf| 18-carat Gold, worth £60. S.D f^Li « &<>V and Co.'s New Patent Eng lish Double Chronographs, with indepen dent start, stop, ana fly back minute and second hands. For quality and accuracy never equalled at any price. Obtained Prize Medal Inventions Exhibition last year. Special pamphlet on this watch, post free, for2d stamp. EVERY WATCH FULLY GUARANTEED. Sterling Silver Hallmarked Alberts, 9s 6d, 12s 6d, 14s sd. and 15s Gd, Newest Patterns, atnearlf Hull usual price. The WEALBMEPNA, in Sterling Silver, 12a8cL By simply passing it over surface the exact distance of feet and inches is recorded on the Dial. Also, forms a splendid - appendage for the Albert. . GOLD ALBBKTS, ladies' and Gent's Newest Styles, Wholesale Prices, all illustrated. in Pamphlet CANNOT BE EQUALLED. BMP AIRS. Note. REPAIRS; Wanted Known, Best Watch Glasses fitted, 3d each. Charges for Watch Repairs—no matter what maker or where bought—equally cheap. Ar rangements made to turn out 150 repairs per week. All Watches cleaned are guaranteed at Stewart Dawson and Co.'s Great English Watch Exhibition, 91, Queen-Btreet. Call and receive gratis a copy of our i Splendid New Illustrated Watch and Jewellery Pamphlet, and read full par; tioulars and most wonderful testimonials. FOR REAL VALUE VISIT STEWART DAWSON & CO.'S GREAT ENGLISH WATCH EXHIBITION, 94-QUEEN-STREET-94 (Opposite Wyndham-street), Auckland. Land and Estate Agents. TJIOR SALE, a superior 5-roomed House JO in Portland-street, Parnell, overlopking the Domain. There are many conveniences in this property* and the owner will sell it cheaply, as he wishes to leave the country. Land (lease hold). 66x200. TO LET^ at EpsoMj a 6-roomed House and about an Aero of Land planted, with fruit trees r rent 8s per week.—Apply F. G. Ewington, Coombes's 'Arcade. - TO BE LFT, those Premises known as the "Sailors' Rest," on the Wharf, opposite the Railway Station Gates. TO BE LET at very low rentals, Shops in Lower Hobsoa-street. TO BE LET, cheap, Cottages in Lome-street. TO BE LET, a 21-rpomed House in Nelson- Street, on very easy terms. . TO BE LET, a Large House in Karangahape Road, suitable for a Boarding-house. ' TO BE LET at Avondale, on Mrs Major's estate, a GOOD DWELLING-HOUSE, with 1-acre of Orchard and 10 acres of Land for Grazing. F. a EWINGTON. Estate Agent, CHEAP HOUSES. COTTAGES* AND SHOPS To be Let and Foft Saih. ESTATE AGENT. ¥. v. c laddb- Agent froA 'thjs SALE AND PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES, Agent £or TRUSTEES AND ABSENTEES, Shortlanb-stbeet. pHAS. H. O S M 0 ND, LAND AND MONETARY AGENTi Begs to notify his clients that he has rUmoted To the«^ et&tt alt y-iltuated tnd most ccjnyenient PREMISES. ADJOINING- THE COLONIAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND, Until lately occupied by Messrs J. M. and J. Mowbray. _ trioa IMMEDIATE $Atß «i» Alton JD iload.ftgood7-roomedHouß^ h,ac^: leryj WMh.hAw^ gas and rrfttor, ew,, and wrg» aUotraont, Frlco venr low.-Apbly to John Soppetp Homo and Land Aeont, 6i Queen-gtreot. "8108 POSITIVE SALE, cheap and JD terms very easy, 6SO aorw Bood Land wito d«p-wat«r frontage. Only wght miles WWtt th^Qtfean-Stroet Whfl,rf.—APpiy^.to John Soopet, House and Lund Agent, 65. Queen-stretft



Having purchased the aSfr***, . REGISTERED THE SAME, nnttfriv "*« P^vate trade that^gLMSS SUPPLY THIBWE^ NOWNB^ CELLARS, MATtKET PU CE QUEEN STREET <NE^ANGHGS a L The largest and best stock Wi Deliveries a. usual Wdtllyby^ N.8.-We botil« nothing but Dm,..!,, *J_ Ales and Stout*, and **«X tiSSS? wiiiii YOU~CAN'T AFFORD T°SSas <KS^?SSSSSB& study true ECONOMY \ tuttrßK Al SOAP. The effort iSTOKJBS homes of New Zealand must fail to sS^S full effect unlessthey suoceedWdS'.S housekeeper to use t ""iotoj BURtfS'S Al SOAP. It Is a simple but useful artiole. tiwsa W»f»t] to use it are istill more simple, and nM X useful. . , " aliffiit Y--- i->^n ■ i , n •" You may have heard of it; 4 TEOBSiSB TIMES without, using it QNCS, It jrw«ai reverse the position and USEITOM You will praise it to bthers a TSpIISiIB TIMES.—I have spent hundreds of poands ia convincing the women of New Zealand tiit their labour can be greatly lightened tartuta BUENS'S Al SOAP (the Vpsij) BBHOOT Cleanser!), but I have fallen short of nsj wx bition if I have failed to CONVINCE TOD; WHOLESALEA&T- A. BUCHANAN, ,■ CUSTOMS S^BEEIP EASt Q L ED H ILL'S DERATED WATER AND COBEDIM j VICTORIA-STREET EASt (LMS BhasMXM /Vuas -auwsr-otf" 1 Ribxe3 Rirai REVOLVERS REVOLVERS GUNFOWDEB! Shot, Caps, Cartridge Wrf* WIEK CABTBIDOKS, tOAPWO AffiW* ' AMMXiNITION Ob- Etkr* DBSCElrte-". Fishing Tackle, Cntler^, BwWri**"1 The bestaud <**»s^^ ft^iwwittMgjgfflyI*, PMCTUSI^SENTT^jADDB^ Tr * A 0 ° $t Spectacles *&&**%*£ Qi Settlers' Tele 3 copes--PoW«« BlV^^^ cheap, Us tiiretfelSM 1*11* .. . Also. Steam and Bleowo» itfi^' *^and Steamers. -^ KU! P B^ 4111 *" OPPOSITE TUB Po3*