The times., 1894-11-02
(coNTINUEp.]
CHAPTER TX.

tage that night, he did not go at once
TO his own room, Brief as was the con-
versation he had enjoyed with Miss
Renwick, it was all that fate vouch-
safed him for that date at least The
entire party went to tea together at the
hotel, but immediately thereafter the
colonel carried Ar;nitage away, and for
two long hours they Were closeted over
some letters that had come from Sibley,
and when the conference broke up and
the wondering ladies saw the two men
come forth 1T was late-almost 10
o'clock-and the captain did not ven-
1Sure beyond the threshold of the sitting
room. He bowed and bade them some
what ceremonious good night. His eyes
rested-lingered-on Miss Renwick's s
uplifted face, and it was the picture he
took with lin into the stiffness of the
summer night.
The colonel accompanied him to the
asteps and rested his hand upon the
broad gray shoulder.
"God only knows how have needed
you, Arlnitage. This trouble has nearly
crushed me, and it seems as though
were utterly alone. 1 had the haunting
fear that it was only weakness on my
part and my love for my wife that made
me stand out against Chester's PROPOSE
tions. He can only see guilt and con-
7Eiction in every new phase of the case,
and though you see how he tries to
spare me his letters give no hope of any
other conclusion.
Armitage pondered moment before
ne answered.; then he slowly spoke:
"Chester has lived lonely and an
unhappy life. His first experience after
graduation was that wretched affair of
which you have told me. OF course !
knew much of the particulars before,
but not all. l respect Chester as sol
dier and gentleman, and i like him
and trust him as Il friend; but, Colonel
Maynard, in matter of such vital i'm
portance as this, and one of such deli
'cacy, l distrust not his motives, but
his Judgment. All his life, practically,
he has been brooding over the sorrow
that came to him when your trouble
came TO you, and his mind is grooved.
He believes he sees mystery and intrigue
IN matters that others might explain in
an instant.
But think of all the array of evil
dence he has ~
Enough and more than enough, l
admit, to warrant everything he has
thought or said of the man, butt
''He simply puts it this way. If he
be guilty, can she be less? Is it possible,
Armitage, that you are unconvinced?"
Certainly am unconvinced. The
matter has not yet been sifted AS / un-
derstand it, you have forbidden his con-
fronting Jerrold with the proofs of his
rascality until l get there. Admitting
the evidence Of the ladder, the picture
and the form at the window-aye, the
letter, tool am yet to be convinced Of
one thing. You must remember that his
Judgment is biased by his early expert
ences He fancies that no woman is
proof against such destinations as Jer-
rold's."
"And your belief"
''Is that somo women-many women
ARE utterly above such a possibility"
Old Maynard wrung his comrades
hand. "You make me hope in spite of
myself, my past experiences, my very
senses, Arlnitage. have leaned on you
80 many years that missed you sorely
when this trial came. If you had been
there, things might not have taken this
shape. He looks upon Chester-and it's
eone thing Chester hasn't forgiven in
zhim-as q meddling old granny You
remember the time he so spoke of him
CAST year, but he holds you in respect
or is afraid of you, which in a man Of
ihis caliber is about the same thing 1t
may not be too late for you to act. Then.
when he is disposed of once and for all,
Ircan know what must be DONE where
she is concerned"
And under no circumstances can
you question Mrs. Maynard?'
''No, mol If she suspected anything
of this, it would kill her. In any event,
she must have no suspicion of it now"
"But does she not ask? Has she no
theory about the missing photograph?
Surely she must marvel over its disap-
pearance.
''She does, at least she did, but
I'm ashamed to own it, Armitage-we
had to quiet her natural suspicious in
some way, and / told her that it was
my doing; that 1 took it to tease Alice,
put the photograph in the drawer Of
my desk and hid the frame behind her
sofa pillow. Chester knows of the ar
zrangement and we had settled that
when the picture was recovered from
Mr.. Jerrold he would send it to me.
Armitage was silent. A frown settled
ON his forehead, and it was evident that
the statement was far from welcome to
him. Presently he held forth his hand.
Well, good night, sir. / must go
and have a quiet think over this. hope
You will rest WELL You need it, colo
mel. "
But Maynard only shook his head.
His heart was too troubled for rest Of
any kind He stood gazing out toward
the park where the tall figure of his
ex-adjutant had disappeared among the
trees. He heard the low toned, pleasant
chat of the ladies in the sitting room,
but he was in no mood to join them. He
wished that Armitage had not gone, he