Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22

Ralph, vastly interested. "Do you think there
is any chance Of coal on my property" This
back.
At sight Of his hosts daughter Ralph had ad-
mitted that he never saw q girl more lovely;
| studying her at leisure in the evening he
strongly inclined to add that he never
saw saw ore more delightful at all points.
been a joke among the Holmbys a. long a. he
could remember. The most charming Of girls
could not overcome that sense Of the ridiculous
| all at once.
Ralph spent the night under tree Just within
tho shrubbery waiting for the owner Of the
match box. But no one came. So dawned the
| morning on which our story opened, and we
return to the breakfast room.
Refreshed by a sleep which, as she frankly
owned, was due to her absolute confidence in
Capt. Holmby's protection, Violet looked more
enchanting than ever. Shyness and familiarity
being alike strange to her, she was quite at ease
smiling and chatting gaily Ralph became con-
scious OF feeling which had thrilled him sew
| eral times, when q dance neared its end, and
the music breathed softly, as he whirled with
serted; but never before in the prosaic light Of
morning. That was q grave symptom, and he
knew it. When the business in hand was done
1t would be prudent to escape and regard the
situation steadily from a distance. But just
now he had to find a criminal. For il his aus
PIGEONS we're correct violet's life might depend
| on his exertions.
"Do you take walk after breakfast, Miss
Stout2" he asked, presently.
Always" her father interrupted, land q
| shall be relieved. By the bye. my dear. talk
| ing Of escorts, did not see Harold Lewth-
waites card among those Of our neighbors who
called Yesterday. Is he from homer"
| mot that know Of, papa"
"Ah, dare say Harold will be the last per-
| IN in ha kino IN ~ n
wants a wife to humanize him, as they say"
Violet colored and changed the conversation
IF you will really be good as to take care Of
me, Capt Holmby, shall be grateful Will
| you be ready in an hour?"
Ready and willing, Miss Stout" few
minutes afterward she left them
Ralph had not failed to notice q slight en-
barrassment at the first mention Of Harold
Lewthwaites name, still less the flush that fol-
lowed the allusion to wife.
yesterday? Would no welcome an ignorant
soldier. do you think. who begged to sit at his
feet and learn to make money?"
Him! l shouldn't like to give IN opinion
Harold is queer fellow-I don't think he's
fond OF strangers. But indeed. Captain
| Holmby, don't know much about his char
acter, though l was his guardian. I'm not
clever, you see; we didn't hit it of. But ask
Violet to arrange the matter and you'll find
him most obliging."
There is an attachment" Ralph said care
lessly.
! why, yes, an engagement. but, between our
Selves Mr.. Stout lowered his voice, 81 hope 1t
will come to nothing. l have the greatest re-
/ spect for Harold but I'm afraid Of his temper,
Capt. Homby-his temper! It's bad 'un, 1
doubt And one can't but fear that man who
lives like blessed hermit at thirty will prove n
dull husband for young girl But then again.
Violet has known him all her life, and she 3
quick to notice things. And poor Tom, my
son, downright worshiped him-he wasn't a
fool either 80 we'll hope for the best-you'n
have cigar? Mind you." Mr.. Stout added in
| an impressive whisper. Il can't help thinking
that the best would be, Goodbye, sweetheart
| Come and look at my stables"
Violet was ready when they got back. and her
father announced that Capt. Holmby had
promised to remain till the mystery was solved
with a charming warmth. 1--WE regard you as
our tu-tu-tu-"
| Tulip" Mr.. Stout suggested innocentlv.
| "NO. Tutelary, that's the word!-tutelary
genius. don't know quite what it means, but
| l hope it's complimentary"
| II accept the good intention without preju-
dice" Ralph laughed, and they set forth
With such delightful companion. on a sum-
mer morning, it was hard to breach the topic
he had in mind They chatted merriiy for a
while. But the business had to be done. and
| all the time Ralph thinking how he should
begin. 1t seemed wisest to open abruptly and
note the effect Of a surprise. -. .
Miss Stout" no said, ''are you conscious OF
| having enemy?"
cnemy2 No! What do you msan?" she
| turned Oh him with wide eyes.
| LET your tutelary genius follow his own
| mysterious course. The enemy would be a
man, a gentleman, rs they say, perhaps tall, but
certainly with very large feet"
Il have none. Capt Holmby, none!" But
| her voice was not quite assured
| "Who carries a silver match box in his pocket
| bearing the initials TSP"
why do you ask?" But the white face be-
trayed more than suspicion.
Because, Ralph continued. at Was such q
man who tried to destroy-not your father 9
| house-that was not his aim-but you,''
"No-no-no! 1t is impossible, Oh, no Y
can you fancy such dreadful, wicked things?'
Il do not know Of whom am speaking do
not blame me! In kindness l must ask again,
do you know such man?-for justice will put
the question shortly"
II do Violet answered in tones hardly audi
Bile. LET us go back! Do not press me
| further, Capt Holmby-oh. tell me how YOU
have come to such monstrous Suspicion
In fewest words, rs they returned, Ralph
told bis discoveries. Quicker and quicker she
the house Ralph paused and stopped her.
81 am grieved beyond expression to distress
| You like this. But you must remember, my
poor child, that many lives arc at stake beside
your own-besides even your fathers. This
man will try again and probably he will not fail
a second time"
"What shall do? What shall do?" she
moaned, then suddenly came a resolution. Il
will tell you his name tomorrow and ran off,
| Mr.. Stout was still sitting in the breakfast
room. what. back already? You've Just
missed Harold Lewthwaite. It seems that be
has been confined to the house since Saturday
night Two ruffans met him on the high road
as he returned from Penwick knocked him
down and robbed him. A pleasant state Of
| things we"
did they get any plumber in particular"
Ralph interrupted eagerly.
| "All he had about him. But Harold feels
most the loss Of q silver match box which my
| poor Tom gave-are you eoing?"
| II think I'll ride over to Ormstead, sir, il you
will lend me horse"
Certainly. Lunch is at 2, remember
! The initials on the match box ct s." were
accounted for-Thomas Stout! Beyond all
question now, Harold Lewthwaite. the genius,
the foremost man in the county, candidate for
parliament, was guilty, and he was trying to
annul the evidence against him. As for his
motive, Violet knew it, and one might easily
guess. She had not asked why her reputed
| lover should commit this awful crime-scarcely
had expressed establishment. What scandal
what terrible situation for the poor girl!
| When Ralph entered the stable yard maid
was handing note to the head groom. For
Mr. Lewthwaite," said She "Miss Violet wants
! it delivered immediately" That missive urged
| him to fly, no doubt But he might probably