Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-11

him as soon as he had begun to ascend.
He then went quickly and lightly to the
spare room, and when he opened the door
he saw his wife in exactly the attitude
that had startled Elsie. She did not notice
him until he laid his hand upon her Shout
der, whereupon she bent her head and
buried it in the quilt moaning, "Oh, Nicho-
las!'
Has he been conscious asked Warren.
in whisper.
mo-" she answered, sobbing. The has
lain just as he is. 1 should almost think
he was dead"
Her husband stood with his hand still
upon her shoulder silent, and she looked up
at him suddenly, with alarm in her eyes.
What is the matter?' he asked.
Il was thinking" she replied, ''of what
you said on the mountain when I brought
him from the cabin, and 1 was afraid the
same .Mh thing aa was ,i in your thoughts now
Don't you remember? that it would be
better If he died!''
Yes, 1 remember. I wasn't sure that
you had noticed 1t. That was why asked
thing was in my thoughts just now"
Il knew it!' gasped Mrs. Warren, land
God forgive me. it was in my thoughts,
toov'
Mr. Warren was painfully shocked
1T sounds so much worse when you say
it," he remarked. somberly.
YES" she admitted, its a wicked
thought and 1 have been fighting it and
1t won't go. 1 can't see why he should
have she repressed sob and added,
we must do everything in our power to
help him to get WE'LL Nicholas"
Yes" he answered. absently. every
thing"
He went around to the further side of the
bed, where, on a chair concealed by the
footbcard from Mrs. Warren as she knelt.
buttons clothing had been placed. With
arms akimbo he looked down at it a mo-
ment
And this stranger" continued Mrs
Warren.
raising buttons coat with an appearance
of carelessness, from the chair.
docs he know"
Mr.. Warren was passing his fingers over
The pockets of the garment. All seemed to
he empty save one. A little pressure of the
fingers and a glance into 1t showed that it
contained nothing but papers.
Does he know, Nicholas?'
"Oh-eXcuse me; no, l think not
Mrs. Warren looked at her husband
earnestly moment. She could see only
his head and shoulders. He appeared to be
in deep thought, and she again buried her
head in her arms, extending them full
length upon the bed.
What is he, and how did he come here?'
she asked.
Mr.. Warren was feeling with thumb and
forefnger all along the edges of the coat.
There was no telling what hiding place
might be concealed in that lining.
II don't know what he is he replied;
.he says he and Dutton were partners. He
didn't say in what. They've both come
from Africa recently
"Africa!" repeated Mrs. Warren. 1t SEEM
ed so far away. so like another world. Yes
terday it would have seemed impossible
that anything in or from that distant con-
tinent would be in any manner connected
with her peaceful home.
There was nothing in the coat, and Mr..
Warren laid it carefully across the back
of the chair Then he picked up buttons
vest He had himself spoken in whispers
since he entered the chamber, and his
wife's responses had been almost as light,
for in sick room one instinctively lowers
the voice. Had they listened they might
have heard the murmur of Goldings voice
in the sitting room, as he carried on one
sided conversation with Elsie, but they
were intent upon their own thoughts. They
neither heard the low base of Golding's
speech, nor it's sudden cessation, nor his
quick, light step across the hall.
He threw open the door just as Mr.. War
rem had thrust his fingers into pocket in
the vest, in which he felt something hard
and irregular.
II allow" said Golding harshly, that we
won't stand on ceremony here, and I'll just
come in and help"
CTo be continued tomorrow)