Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10

wonder, did she not tell me. I intended to
call on her this evening, but it is useless.
I'm glad to know. for I don't care much
for Mrs. Hennicker. She's such very shall
low woman"
"Etheiwynn seems to have wandered
about a good deal since the sad affair at
Kew" I observed.
YES and so have l." she responded. LAS
you are well aware, the blow was such q
terrible one to me that-that somehow I
feel l shall never get over it-never!
saw tears, genuine tears, yelling in her
eyes. II she could betray emotion in that
manner she was surely wonderful actress.
Time will efrace your sorrow" said. in
voice meant to be sympathetic. In a
nant, and the past will gradually fade from
your memory. 1t Is always So"
She shook her head mournfully.
mo-" she said, for In addition to my
grief there is the mystery Of it ala mys-
terry that grows each day more and more
inscrutable."
glanced at her sharply in surprise. Was
she trying to mislead me, or were her words
spoken In real earnest? I could not de-
termine
YES" I acquisced. 1.-THE mystery Is as
complete as ever"
HAS no single clue been found. either by
the police or by your friend-Jevons Is, I
think, his name?" she asked with keen
anxiety.
"one or two facts have. I believe, been
still remains unsolved."
LAS it ever will be-" she added with a
sigh which appeared to me to be one of
satisfaction rather than Of regret THE de-
tails were SO cleverly arranged that the
police have been baff1ed in every endeayor.
Is not that so?"
nodded In the affirmative
And your friend Jevons? Has he given
up all hope Of any satisfactory discovery"
Il really don't know" I answered. 'T
have not seen him for quite long time.
And in any case he has told me nothing re-
garding the result of his Investigations. It
Is his habit to be mute until he has gained
some tangible result
A puzzled, apprehensive expression crossed
her white brow for a moment; then it van
ished into pleasant SMILE as she asked in
confidence:
Now. tell me. Ralph, what IL your own
private opinion Of the situation?'
well. 1t II both complicated and pug
cling. II we could discover any reason for
the brutal deed we might get a clue to the
assassin; but as far as the police have been
able to gather 1t seems that there Is an en-
tire absence OF motive. hence the impossi-
balfty OF carrying the inquiries further"
'"Then the investigation Is actually
dropped q she exclaimed. unable to further;
conceal her anxiety.
II presume that 1t Is" replied.
Her chest heaved slightly. and slowly fell
again. BY its movement I knew that my
answer allowed her to breathe more freely.
you also believe that your friend Levons
has been compelled. owing to negative re-
suits, to relinquish his efforts?'' she asked.
such is my opinion. But have not seen
him lately In order to consult him."
In silence she listened to my answer, and
was evidently treasured by It. Yet could
not, for the life of me. understand her man.
ner. at one moment nervous and apprehen-
siye, and at the next full of an almost inn
perious self-confdence. The expression In
her eyes at times was such as justified her
mother In the fears that she had expressed
to me. I tried to diagnose her symptoms,
but they were too complicated and contra
dictory.
She spoke again of her sister. returning
to the main point upon which she had
sought the interview. She was decidedly
pretty woman. with a face. rendered more
Interesting by her widows garb.
But why was she masquerading so clever
ly? For what reason had old Courtenay
oontrlve6 to efface his Identity so thorough
ly? As looked at her, mourning for
man who was alive and well, I utterly
failed to comprehend one single fact OF the
astounding affair. It utterly staggered bs-
lief.
Let me speak candldIy to you. Ralph"
she said. after we had been discussing Eth
elwynn for acme little time. .As you may
readily imagine. have my sisters welfare
very much at heart. and my only desire h.
to see her happy and comfortable instead of
pinfng In melancholy as she now Ia. I ask
you frankly. have you quArreiedr.
mo. we have not" answered promptly.