The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-08-14

II dare say you did,"
IL have intended nothing dishonor-
able"
"Fudgev" She snapped her fingers
and her eyes at the same time.
"You don't believe me. Very well, 1
don't believe that you were not caves
dropping"
81 was not eavesdropplng" she cried
hotly. "You have the word of south
crn lady"
"And I was not trying to get your
secret. You have the word Of AZ
stopped short. I had run against
snng. She gave me n glance of con-
tempt and triumph. Her head was up,
little to one side, her postrils dilated.
her breath slow and measured.
"Miss Stnnforth." said--I was near
betrnylng what demanded secrecy-"I
will prove TO you before night-no, not
before night. but soon--that had an
other object. will no longer remain
In house the inmates of which, I
made n step toward the door.
"Mr. Brandcrstaner
"Mlss Stanforthw
"In addition to sailing under false
colors you are now going to endanger
your life by
"Fudge! What is my life to your
snapped my fingers.
"a good deal Just now. II Is un-
pleasant to have n person die on ones
hands"
was In no condition for this en-
counter. A buzzIng was going ON In
my ears. tingllng sensation In my
limbs. My knees were giving way.
and wns obliged to sit down on the
sofa. looked longlngly at n bottle of
brandy that stood on the table, but was
too proud to nsk for 1t. In moment
Helen had poured some of the liquor
into tumbler and held 1t to my lips.
drank a revlving draft. She put
her hands on my shoulders and gently
forced me TO lie down.
"rhis must not occur again." she
said. "You have no strength to go, and
have no right TO excite you while In
your present condition. believe what
you told me-" She put out her hand.
Pardon" | said humbly. "When
calm. would as soon think of accusing
you of eavesdropping as would accuse
Diana of unchastlty. have been un-
gallant rude-rude to a woman"
"Eorgct II. Lie STILL and you Will
soon be yourself again" She sat down
by II table and took up book. 81 will
sit here AMI rcad while you recover
your strength"
She read for perhaps half an hour
I supposed she was interested In the
book. for she turned one page after an
other and seemed to have forgotten me.
At last she put down the volume and
by her first words convinced me that
instead Of being interested In 1t she
had been thinking Of my puzzling iden-
tity.
81 want to ask you one question"
ASK it.
"Whcrc did you come from the day
the shooting occurred"
Huntsville"
/ She had asked the one question and
had received her reply. | knew by her
expression that she wanted to ask an.
other.
81 suppose you were there long enough
to become acquainted with the city.
It's beautiful place"
| II was there n week."
The limit of one question having been
overstepped In this Indirect fashion, 1t
was easier for her to proceed.
, "What were you doing there?"
: Looking for some one"
"a mani"
= Eyes"
what fOrT'
/ did not reply at once. was think.
ing Of some plan by which to put an
end to her catechising.
III tell you" said presently, "will
you promise to ask me no more ques-
tlons?"
| III you prefer that should not"
"You wish to know why | was seek
ing my man ut Huntsville"
81 do"
You vii! keep what tell you Sc
cretY"
"Yes."
ITO kill him."