Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
CHAPTER XIII.
NV Love.

As soon as Amber Jevons had slipped
out through my little study my love came
forward slowly, as though with some un-
willingness.
She was dressed, as at the inquest, in
deep mourning wearing a smartly cut tai
tornado dress trimmed with astrakhan
and neat toque. her pale countenance COW
cred with a thick spotted VEIL
Ralph" she exclaimed In a low voice,
forgive me for calling upon you at this
hour. know it's indiscreet. but am very
anxious to see you"
returned her greeting rather coldly l
am afraid. and led her to the big arm chair
which had only moment before been va
Gated by my friend.
When she seated herself and faced me
saw how changed she was even though
che did not lift her veil. Her dark eyes
seemed haggard and sunl<en, her cheeks,
usually pink with the glow OF health, were
white almost CHASTITY. and her slim. we'll
gloved hand resting upon the arm chair,
trembled perceptibly.
you have not come to me for two whole
days. Ralph" she commenced in a tone of
complaint. Surely you do not intend to
desert me in these hours of distress?'
81 must apologize" l responded quickly,
remembering Jevons' advice. But the fact
sad affair, and. in addition. I've had several
serious cases during the past few days. Sir
Bernard has been unwell and I've been
compelled to look after his practice"
''Sir Bernardo! she calculated, In tone
which instantly struck me as strange. It
was as though she held him in adherence.
do you know. Ralph, | hate to think of
you in association with that man."
"Why?" I asked, much surprised while
at that same moment the thought flashed
through my mind how often SIR Bernard
had given me vague warnings regarding
her.
They were evidently bitter enemies.
at have no intention to give my reasons
she replied, her brows slightly knit. i
merely give II as my opinion that you
should 20 longer remain in association with
him.
But surely you are alone in that opin-
ionr' said. He bears the highest char
acter. and is certainly one of the first ply
siclans In London. His practice is perhaps
the present moment"
IT don't deny that" she said. her gloved
fingers twitching nervously. "A man may
be king and at the same time knave."
I smiled. 1t was apparent that her inten-
tion was to separate me from the man to
whom owed nearly all. II not quite all
of her past and she feared that he might
in a moment of confidence. betray all tc
me.
Vague hints are always irritating"
remarked. Cannot you give me some rea
son for your desire that my friendship will
him should end?'
mo II did you would accuse me o.
selfish motives" she said, fixing her darn
eyes upon me-
Could a woman with such Madonna
like countenance be actually guilty of muir
der? 1t seemed incredible. And yet he
manner was that of a woman haunted by
the terrible secret OF her crime. At thai
moment she was seeking by ingeniou:
means to conceal the truth regarding the
past. She feared that my intimate friend
ship with the great physician might result
IN her unmasking.
ct can't see that selfish motives enter
into this affair at ALL" remarked. What
ever you tell me. Ethelwynn, is l know
for my own benefit. Therefore you Should
at least be explicit
IT can't be more explicit"
why notT'
Because l have no right to utter libe
without being absolutely certain of tn,
facts"
IT don't quite follow YOU" said. rathe
puzzled
II mean that at present the information
] have is vague" she replied. But (
II is the truth, as expect to establish IT
then you must associate yourself from
him. Ralph"
You have only snspicions?"
"Only suspicious"
"Of what?"
'Of fact which will some day astoun,
you"
Our eyes met again, and saw in her