Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1905 — The Yellow Holly [ARTICLE]

The Yellow Holly

By FERGUS HUME,

Author of “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," Etc. d JL

SYNOPSIS OP PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I—George Brendon, a young Londoner, visit* his friend. Leonard Train, who has lodgings in the boardiug house kept by Mrs. Jersey. Among the boarders is an elderly maiden lady. Miss Bull. Mrs.. Jersey is startled by a piece of yellow holly worn by George. ll—George, whose real name is Vane, tells Train the story of his life. He is an orphan and the grandson of Lord Herrington, but the latter refuses to recognize the marriage of George’s father (Lord Herrington's sou), who had eloped. Brendon desires to establish his position as Lord Herrington's heir in order to marry Dorothy Ward. The place of marriage of George's parents 1s known only to Mrs. Jersey, formerly maid to George's mother. His mother died at his birth, and his father had been murdered In San Remo, Italy, years before. Ill—ln the night Mrs. Jersey is killed with a stilleto by an unknown person. IV—Miss Bull takes charge of the house In behalf of Margery, nelce of the murdered woman. The house hat been leased from Lord Herrington. V—Mrs. Ward, a heartiest society woman, mother of Dorothy, is opposed to Dorothy's marriage to Brendon. The yellow holly had been given to Dorothy by her mother and by the girl to George. “Why, there waa a young English waiter, quite a boy he waa, who fell In love with Eliza when she waa taking charge of you at the Hotel de Ville. She refused to marry him and hinted that Bhe loved your father. Vane heard of this and taxed heg with Impertinence. The end of it was that Eljza said too much and was dismissed. And Jane Fraser was sent from England by Vane’s mother to nurse you. That looks as though Lady Herrington believed In the marriage.” “It does,” admitted Brendon hopefully. “She woul4p not have sent a nurse had anything been wrong. On the other hand, if she had been quite certain about the marriage she might have offered to take charge of me." . “She did, I believe, but your father was so fond of you—for your mother’s sake—that he could scarcely bear you out of Ids sight However, Eliza went and Jane came, and then your father went to San Bemo. You were then two years of age." “Did not my father return to England during ail that time?" “No. When he left England with your mother he never returned. She died in Paris, and, with you in charge of a nurse, Vane wandered about the continent. I was twice in Italy and saw him—the second time It was at San Bemo.” *' “If you disliked my father so much why did you seek him out?” “To see you, George. You were her

child, and T loved Bosina so dearly." Ireland stopped, gulped down his emotion, and proceeded more calmly, "Yes, I was at San Remo when your father was murdered.” “You never told me that before,” said Brendon. “I never told you anything before," replied Ireland dryly. “And I should not tell you now but that my health Is getting so bad that I may not live long. I have an Incurable disease, which will sooner or later carry me off —no, I don’t want sympathy. Let me finish the story and then we need not refer to it again. I had Intended to leave a written statement behind me for you, George, but this Is better, as you can ask me questions about what you do not understand.” “I understand all so far,” said George thoughtfully. “But about this murder, Mr. Ireland? Who killed my father?” “That was never discovered. He went to a masked ball and was seen leaving the room in the company of a blue domino. Ills body was found on the stones of the beach early next morning. He had been stabbed to the heart.” “Who was the lady—the blue domino?” “No one ever learned. She was cloaked and masked. The whole thing Is a mystery. Your father’s body was taken to England, and as Lord Derrlngton refused to acknowledge the marriage Lockwood took charge of you.” “I remember, and Jane Fraser was my nurse for many years. She was at < San t Bemo when the murder took place?” “Yes, and so was Eliza Stokes.” “What was she doing there?” “Well, this waiter—by the way, his name was George also, although you were called after Lockwood’s fatherwell, George Bates, seeing that Eliza was dismissed, got her a situation at a hotel In San Remo. He came there also during the season, and I "believe the two married. But Eliza Stokes never came near yonr father.” ‘What became of her afterward?” Ireland hesitated. “I can’t say,” be said. “But I can,” observed George coolly. “Sbe was murdered the other day at

the Amelia square house as Mrs. Jersey.” “I heard of that crime. But how do you identify Eliza Stokes with Mrs. Jersey?” “My old nurse, Jane Fraser, told me. When I began these inquiries I looked up Jane, who now lives In a little Essex village. She told me all she could, which was not much. But she stated that when here one day on a visit to you she had met Eliza Stokes, and in spite of her age and gray hairs she had recognized her. Eliza told her that she was called Mrs. Jersey and had taken a boarding house in Amelia square. I then determined to speak to Mrs. Jersey, who I thought might have been present at the marriage or at all events might know where it had been celebrated.”

“It is probable she did,” said Ireland, “as she was with your mother as maid when the elopement took place. Did you see Mrs. Jersey, or Eliza Stokes, as I still regard her?” “I saw her, but she was murdered before I could manage to speak to her on the subject. Did you know”— “I know that Eliza Stokes had changed her name to Mrs. Jersey and was in Amelia square,” said Ireland, “but I only learned this the other day.” “Who told you?” “A woman called Miss Bull,” said Ireland. “Miss Bull,” repeated George. “1 remember. That was the boarder who foretold a violent death to Mrs. Jersey. But you read about that in the papers.” Ireland nodded. “I did,” he said. “And I also saw that you were in the house when Mrs. Jersey was murdered. You were a witness.” “I can tell you about that. I” “There is no need to tell me. I have not the time.” Ireland looked nt his watch. “In ten minutes I leave for my walk.” George remonstrated. “But this is so important.” “Not so important as my health. I can give you only ten minutes, George. This Miss Bull called to ask me about the lease of the house to Mrs. Jersey. I knew nothing about that When Lockwood died I sold the house to Lord Derrington”— “What, to my grandfather?” “Yes. But had I known he was the purchaser I should not have let him have it He bought it through an agent Blnce then I beard nothing more about the house. I did not even know it was a boarding establishment until it appeared as such in the papers the other day. I wondered what you were doing at the Inquest”— “I can explain.” Ireland held up his hand. ’ “I need no explanation. I know that Mrs. Jersey was really Eliza Stokes. I gathered that from the description given by Miss Bull in the course of our conversation. My suspicions were aroused by the fact that Lord Derrington had leased the Amelia square house to Mrs. Jersey.”

Why did lie do that?” George spoke more to himself than to Ireland. “Well,” said the old man, rising, “it is my belief that Lord Derrington knows there was a marriage and assisted Mrs. Jersey so that she should hold her tongue. Now there is no more time. I must go out.” And Ireland walked to the door. “One moment." said George on the doorstep. “This blue domino connected with my father’s murder—was she never traced “No. There was no means of tracing her. Except that she wore a piece of holly she carried no distinguishing mark.” “Holly!” cried George, astounded. “Yellow holly?” “Yes. I don't know how you come to mention it, but the holly worn by the blue domino with whom your father went away had yellow berries.” (TO BE CONTINUED.]