Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27

came to the boundary of the great pasture,
passing through the swing gate by which
l felt confident that they must also pass.
turned to look before leaving the meadow,
and could just distinguish their figures.
They had turned at right angles, and, as l
had expected, were walking in my direc-
ton.
1 went forward again, and after some
hurried search discovered a spot close to
the path, where concealment behind a great
old willow seemed poSsible so at that
coign of vantage 1 waited breathlessly for
their approach. The roaring ,of the waters
behind would, feared, prevent any of their
words from reaching me; nevertheless, 1
waited anxiously.
A great barn owl tapped lazily past.
hooting weirdly as it went, then all nature
became still again, save the dull sound of
the tumbling flood. Amber Jevons. had he
been with me. would no doubt have acted
differently. But 1t must be remembered
that l was the merest tyrO in the unravel-
ing of mystery, whereas with him it was
kind of natural occupation. And yet
would he believe me when told him that
had actually seen the dead man walking
there with his wife?
1 was compelled to admit within myself
that such statement from the lips of any
man would be received with ineredulity.
Indeed, had such a thing been related to
me should have put the narrator down as
either a liar or a lunatic.
At last they came. I remained motionless,
standing in the shadow and not daring to
breathe. My eyes were fixed upon him, my
ears strained to catch every sound.
He said something to her. What it was
could not gather. Then he pushed open the
creakng gate to allow her to pass. Across
the moons face had drifted a white, fleecy
cloud; therefore the light was not so bril-
liant as half an hour before. STILL could
see his features almost as plainly as I see
this paper upon which I am penning my
strange adventure, and could recognize
every lineament and popularity Of his
countenance.
Having passed through the gate he took
her ungloved hand with an air Of old-fash-
Toned gallantry and raised it to his lips.
She laughed merrily in rapturous content
and then slowly. very slowly, they strolled
along the path that ran within three feet
of where l stood.
My heart leaped with excitement. Their
voices sounded above the rushing of the
waters. and they were lingering as though
unwilling to walk further.
"Ethelwynn has told me- he was saying.
II can't make out the reason Of his cold
ness toward her. Poor girl! she seems ut
terly heart-broken."
He suspects" his wife replied.
But what ground has he for supicion?"
stood there transfxed. They were talk
ing Of myself!
They had halted quite close to where I
was. and in that low roar had raised their
voices so that 1 could distinguish every
word
well" remarked his wife. 1.-THE whole
affair was mysterious. that you must ad-
NIT. With his friend. man named Jevons,
he has been endeavoring to solve the prob
lem"
"A curse on Amber Jevons!' he blurted
forth in anger, as though he were well
acquainted with my friend.
IF between them they managed to get
at the truth it would be very awkward"
she said.
mo fear Of that" he laughed in full
confidence. "A man once dead and buried.
with coroner's verdict upon him. is not
easily believed to be alive and we'll. No.
my dear: rest assured that these men will
never get at our secret-never."
I smiled within myself How little did
he dream that the man of whom he had
been speaking was actually overhearing
his words!
But Ethelwynn. in order to regain her
place in the Doctors heart. may betray
u.s." his wife remarked obviously.
"She dare not" was the reply. From
her we have nothing whatever to fear. As
long as you keep up the appearance OF deep
mourning. are discreet In all your actions
and exercise proper caution on the occa-
sions when we meet, our secret must re-
main hidden from ALL
But / am doubtful OF Ethelwynn. A
woman as fondly in love with a man as
she Is with Ralph is apt to throw discre-
ton to the winds" the woman observed
is on our account and that a word from
her could expose the whole thing and al
| the same time bring back to her the man
| for whose lost love she Is pining. 1t Is be-
cause of that am In constant fear"
Your apprehensions are utterly ground.
| less" he declared in decisive voice. shes
the only other person In the secret besides