Evening star., 1896-12-05

turn trip saying the gent was In hurry
and wouldn't want to look around for an
other hanson.
'"The beast has been rested up and can
take yer back at a better gait, sir" he said
cheerfully. with a grin.
Goodenough first rang the bell. He was
without certainly compromising himself
but he did not intend to run unnecessary
risks. II any one came. he would ask II
Mr.. Wheeler was at home. and If he was
write note for him. After time, as no
one responded, he pretended to discover his
key with some surprise and boldly let him
self in.
He found the rooms without any difficulty
from the directions Mrs. Wheeler had given
to him. and they exactly answered her de-
scription of them. He got a chair and
placed the box carefully on the top of the
He hearly dropped 1t while doing this, ow-
frg to pardonable nervousness.
Greatly relieved. he went back to the
S word aed rap as the so5a
showing no disposition to be ''dazy'' on any
one of his legs. The lady opened the door
at once received back her key and unused
letter and wrung his hands with warm
feeling.
Il cannot thank you enough. This must
he life secret between US. But II you
Will give me your card 1 shall be glad to
make your acquaintance after 1 get back to
my husband. 1 beg you to accept this
small token of woman's gratitude to-
ward generous man."
The young man had given her his card,
Mr.. Goddard Goodenough," with his club
ADDRESS In the corner. AS she said these
last words she drew an opal scarf pin from
her corSaRe. 1t was stone that seemed
to burn like coal. and 1t was surrounded
with tiny but brilliant diamonds. In vain
Gcodenoueh sought to escape such costly
present. She forced it upon him and he
tock his leave followed by her ardent
thar ks and low-yoiced blessing.
Somehow after 1t was all over, Goddard
Goodenough had more time to reflect on
the strar ge proceeding. The quality Of
ones thought upon a deed Is SO different
according to which side of it the thinker
Is on. He began to feel an odd restiveness
not unlike solicitude. He could not rest
easy at his club. despite the aid of two or
three drinks absorbed with view to
greater composure. He determined to go
rourd by Mr.. Wheeler's rooms little after
ten to see If there was any evidence of
his having returned. But as his restless
ness became more pronounced. he decided
to first go up to the Lexington avenue
house and raconnoter there. This, with no
definite aim iE his mind.
When he had got within a short distance
"f the house, on the other side of the
street. he was surprised to a coupe in
front Of 1t. with a steamer trunk on the
box. AS he halted in the shadow. wonder
Ing What this meant. the door opened and
tall, spare man, with a close-trimmed
black beard, came down the steps and
opened the coupe door. He then saw Mrs
Wheeler come down the steps, the two
entered the carriage. and it rolled swiftly
down the avenue
Goodenough vas thoroughly aroused now.
or course. 1t could have been the lady )
brother. or some male relative. But the
mans appearance had not been as con-
vincing an Endorsement of character as
the ladys.
With sudden resolve. the worried young
man crossed over. mounted the steps and
tugged at the bell. The house was per-
fectly dark. He got no answer to his ring
nor to the others which he gave. Leaving
the house. still more perturbed in his feel
ings. he encountered the policeman whose
beat 1t was. and inquired of him who
lived in the house.
liceman. says it's a foreigner and his
wife. They've only been there about a