The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-04

with various articles OF clothing lying
by IL. On the dressing table was a whole
medley of little feminine knick-knacks,
with candlestick in the midst. the dead
wick still smoking i'm the socket and ac-
counting for the disappearance of the
light a few minutes before. The fire had
gone out, but on n chair by IL was laid
little black lace evening gown, evident
ly put out TO be worn while over the
fender II dainty pair of sifik stockings fat-
been hung, and two dminutive black
attn shoes were waiting on the hearth
rug. The whole aspect OF the room spoke
of a sudden and precipitate flight.
'Boltedr' said Charles. when he had re-
covered his breath. And so the mystery
is out at last! ] might have known there
was a woman at the bottom Of it. Tn
premeditated. though he continued
looking round. She meant 10 have gone
tomorrow, but your recognition or that
paper frightened her, though she turned
IL off well TO gain time. No fool that. She
only had an hour, and she made the most
of It. and got off, no doubt, while we were
at dinner by the 500 London train, which
is the last tonight. and after the tele-
graph office was closed. too! She knew
nothing could be done till tomorrow. She
has more wits than ! gave her credit for.
II distrusted her before. though | had
no reason for IL, but never thought she
was gone said Evelyn, trembling vio-
lently. and still looking round the room.
II knew it," said Charles, from the
moment saw the light through the key
hole. A keyhole with a key In IL would
not have shown half the amount Of light
through 1t; and a locked door without "A
Key in IT rs safe 10 have been fUcked from
the outside. Had she maid with her2'
No" said Evelyn, "she used to come
TO me. next door, when she wanted help
but not often-because l think she
knew | did not like her. though l tried
not to show IL.
We'll. we have seen the last of her. or
I am much mistaken" said Charles. And
now" he added, comprcssing his lips. II
suppose / must go and tell Ralph"
"Oh, Ralph. Ralph!" gasped Evelyn.
with a sudden sob. And he was so fond
of herr
And so you distrusted her before. Eve
lyn. And why did you not mention that
fact a little sooner?'
without any reason for lt? And when
Ralph-oh. ! couldn't! / couldnt!" said
the girl. crimsoning.
Charles gazed intently at her as she
turned away, pressing her hands tightly
together and evidently struggling with
some sudden emotion for which there
really was no apparent reason. She was
overwrought. J suppose; and indeed the
eNertiOn OF breaking IN tho uOOr ndd beeu
rather too much for Charles. too; for. now
that the excitement was over. his hand
shook so much that he had to put down
the lamp. and even his voice trembled a
little as he said:
Il don't think Ralph Is very much TO
be pitied. He has had a narrow escape
Don't come down again, either OF you"
he continued a moment later I'm his usual
voice."I had better 20 and get it over at
once. He will De wondering what has be-
come of us II | wait much longer. Eve
lyn. good night. Good night, Middleton.
IL IL is too early for you TO go to bed you
will find n fire Ia the smoking room"
bade Evelyn good night and followed
Charles down the corridor. IIo replaced
the lamp with a hand that was steady
enough now and went slowly across the
picture gallery. The way To my room led
mo through also. 1nvoluntarily ! stopped
-at-ths -head-of --t thu great
carved staircase which led into the hall.
and watched him going down. step by
step. with tagging tread. From the morn
ing room came the distant sound OF a
approaching. singing slowly, as ~ there
piano. and = mans voice singing 10 a..
singing softly as though no Nemesis were
approaching; singing slowly, as ~ there
were time enough 20 spare. But Meme
sis had reached the bottom OF the stair
case Nemesis with a heavy step was
going across the silent hall-wss even