The sun., 1900-11-26

/ pEA9Q4l5 " IN htlt tilbMhu To HOOK
through tile gate. But 10 this token Of
welcome neither gontiemaH responded
by SO much rs 4 la9k. Till their atten-
tion being engrosscd BY the sight Of the
solitary figure OF Miss Page, who still
| held her stand upon the lawn Notion
less as a statue. but with her eyes fixed
| upon their faces, she awaited their ap-
! pruach When they were near her, she
! thrust one hand from under her cloak
and pointing to the grass at her feet,
said quietly:
''See this?"
They FASTENED toward her ana bent
down to examine the spot size indi-
Gated
What do you find there?" cried aIr.
Sutherland, whose eyesight was rot
good.
Blood" responded the coroner,
plucking up blade Of grass and sur
yeying it closely.
blood" echoed Miss Page, with so
suggestive glance that Mr. Suther-
land stared at her in amazement, not
understanding his own emotion.
'IIow are you able to discern 4 stain
SO nearly imperceptibleY asked the
coroner.
"Imperceptible? 1t Is the only thing
! see in the whole yard" she retorted
and with q slight bow which. was not
without its element Of mockery she
turned toward the gate.
"a most unaccountable girl" COM
mented the doctor "But she is right
about these stains. Abel" he called to
the man at the gate, "bring box or
barrel here and cover up this spot.
don't want it disturbed by trampling
feet till the jury l shall soon call shall
have had an opportunity to look at it."
Abel started to obey just as the
young girl laid her hand on the gate to
open it.
Wont you help me?" she asked.
'The crowd is so great they won't let
lle through"
Wont they?" The words came from
without. Just slip out as slip in, and
you'll find place made for yon."
Not recognizing the voice. she hesi-
tated for a moment, but seeing the gate
Ewaying, she pushed against it just as
young man stepped through the gap.
Necessarily they came face to face.
"Ah, it is YOU" he muttered, giving
her sharp glance.
Il do not know you," she haughtily
declared, and slipping by him with
such deXterity she was out of the gate
before he could respond.
But he only snapped his finger and
thumb mockingly at her and smiled
knowingly at Abel, who had fingered
to watch the end of this encounter
supple as willow twig, eh," he
| laughed. "Well, l have made whistles
out of willows before now and-halloo.
where did you get that?'
He was pointing to rare flower that
hung limp and faded from Abers but
tonhole.
This? Oh, found it in the house
yonder. 1t was lying on the foo. of the
inner room, almost under Batsy's
skirts. Curious sort of flower. / Won
der where she got it?"
The intruder betrayed at once an un-
accountable emotion. There was a
strange glitter in his light green eyes
that made Abel shift rather uneasily
on his feet "Was that before the pret-
ty mink you have just let out came in
here with Mr.. Sutherlandr
ooh, yes; before any one had started
for the Hill at all Why, what has this
! young lady got to do with flower
dropped by Ratsy"
"She? Nothing Only--and | have
never given you fat advice, Abel
| don't let that thing hang any longer
from your buttonhole. Put it into an
envelope and keep it. and if you don't
hear from me again in regard to Il
write me out fool and forget we were
ever chums when little shavers."
The man called Abel smiled, took out
the flower and went to cover up the
grass as DR.. Talbot had requested. The
stranger took his place at the gate to-
ward which the coroner and Mr.. Suth-
erland were now advancing with an air
which showed his great anxiety to
speak with them. He was that one of
the five musicians whom we saw Sc
cretly entering the last mentioned gem
tleman's house after the departure of
the last servant.
As the coroner paused before him he
spoke. "Dr. Talbot" said he, dropping
his eyes, which were apt to betray his
thoughts too plainly, you have often
promised that you would give me job
If any matter came up where nice de-
tective work was wanted. Don't yop
think the time has come to remember
me?'
"You, Sweetwater? I'm afraid II
affair is too deep for an inexperienced
mans first effort. l shall have to send
to Boston for an expert. Another time,
Sweetwater, when the complications
are less serious"
The young fellow, with a face white
as milk, was turning away.
But you'll let me stay around herew
he pleaded, pausing and giving the 9TH
er an imploring look.
"Oh. yes" answered the good natur-
ed coroner. "Fenton will have work
enough for you and half dozen 9th
ers. Go and tell him | sent you."
"Thank you," returned the other, his
face suddenly losing its aspect of acute
disappointment. Now l shall see