Evening star., 1899-04-08

fascination of her look and manner return
ed upon her with double force. Il have
been unwise, said she, "and let my SYM
pathy run away with my judgment. Wo-
men have impulses of this kind sometimes,
and men blame them for 1t. till they them
selves come to the point of feeling the need
of just such blind devotion. 1 sure 1
regret my short-sightedness now, for l
have lost esteem by it, while he" With a
wave of the hand she dismissed the SUBJ
ject, and DR.. Talbot watching her, felt a
shade of his distrust leave him, and in
it's place species of admiration for the
1.-the. graceful, bewitching personality be-
fore them, with her childish impulses and
womanly wit which half mystffed and half
imposed upon them.
Mr. Sutherland, on the contrary, was
neither charmed from his antagonism nor
convinced of her honesty There was some
thing in this matter that could not be ex-
planned away by her argument, and his sus
picion of that something he felt perfectly
sure was shared by his son, toward whose
cold. set face he had frequently cast the
mCst uneasy glances. He was not ready,
however to probe into the subject more
deeply. nor could he, for the sake of Fred
erick, urge on to any further confession
young woman whom his unhappy son pro-
feSSed to love, and in whose discretion he
had so little confidence. AS for Sweet
water, he had now fully recovered himself,
and bore himself with great discretion
when Dr. Talbot finally said:
We'll, gentlemen, We have got more than
we expected when we came here this morn
ing. There remains, however. point re-
garding which We have received no eXpla-
nation. Miss Page, how came that orchid
which l am told you wore in your hair at
the dance to be found lying near the hem
of Batsy's skirts? You distinctly told US
that you did not go upstairs when You were
in Mrs. Webbs house"
"Ah, that's sor acquiesced the Boston de-
tective. dryly. How came that flower on
the scene of the murder?"
She smiled and seemed equal to the emer-
gency.
That Is a mystery for us all to solve"
she said, quietly, looking into the eyes of
her questioner.
"A mystery it is your business to solve"
corrected the district attorney. Nothing
that you have told US in support of your
innocence would in the eyes of the law
weigh for one instant against the COM
plicity shown by that one piece of circum-
stantial evidence against you
Her smile carried certain high-handed
denial of this to one heart there at least.
But her words were humble enough.
Il am aware of that said she Then,
turning like lightning to where Sweetwater
stood lowering upon her from out his half
closed eyes, she impetuously cried: You,
sir, you who without call to do so have
presumed to arrogate the Office of detective
from those whose right it was to act in
this matter prove yourself equal to your
presumption by finding out the explana-
tion of this mystery yourself. 1t can be
found out for, mark, did not carry that
This l am ready to swear to before God
and before mani"
Her hand was raised, her whole attitude
spoke defiance and-hard as it was for
Sweetwater to acknowledge it-truth. He
felt that he had received challenge, and
with quick glance at Knapp, who barely
responded by shrug, he shifted over to
the side of DIR. Talbot.
Amabel at once dropped her hand.
May 1 go?" she now cried appealingly,
to Mr.. Courtney. / really have no more to
say, and am tired
Did you see the figure of the man who
brushed by you in the wood? Was 1t that
OF the old man you saw on the doorstep?"
At this direct question Frederick Quivered
in spite of his dogged self-controL But she,
with her face upturned to meet the scrutiny
! of the speaker. showed only childish kind
of wonder Why do you ask that? Is
there any doubt about its being the same?'
What an actress! Frederick stood ap-
palled. He had been amazed at the skill
with which she had manipulated her story
| so as to keep her promise to him, and yet
| leave the way open for that further con-
| fession which would alter the whole into
| denunciation of himself, which he would
| find it difficult. II not impossible, to meet
But this extreme discrimination made him
| lose heart. 1t showed her to be an an
tagonist of almost illimitable resource and
| secret determination.
Il did not suppose there could be any
/ doubt, she added, In such a natural tone
/ OF surprise that Mr.. Courtney dropped the
| subject, and DIR. Talbot turned to Sweet
water, who for the moment seemed to