Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-04-10

power Of reticence. Ten to one he had
been instructed not to talk to me about
the mysterious occurrence.
"Buck," I asked, "who came to the
house awhile ago?"
wasn't anybody came to the house
awhile ago."
"a sick man, wasn't it?"
mo, he wasn't sick"
Il thought you said no one came"
mo one did"
"Of course no one came; he was car
ried."
IF yo' know so much about 1t, Mr..
Brandystone, what's the use O ask!n
meY
you admit that whoever he was he
wasn't sick?'
"Of course he wasn't sick. How
could he be sick IL he wasn't any.
body"
There was a sudden rustling in the
hall. and Helen swept into the room.
her eyes flashing fire.
Buck, leave the roomv' she CON-
manded In no uncertain tone. Buck
gave glance Mt his sister, which told
him he had better obey, and walked
out reluctantly.
You have been listening" I said
CURLY.
:. Il have not. was coming through
the hall and heard your last remark"
And you infer that was trying to
get secret which does not at all con.
Germ me-"
'"T most assuredly do"
you are mistaken. / care no more
Tor what occurs in this house than for
the color Of the dress you happen to
wear. I had another object In ques-
tioning your brother"
Il dare say you had"
Il wished to discover IL he could keep
4 secret"
Il dare say you did"
Il have intended nothing dishonor-
able"
Fudge" She snapped her fingers
and her eyes at the same time.
you don't believe me. Very well,
don't believe that you were not caves
dropping"
Il was not eavesdroppingw she cried
hotly. you have the word of south
ern lady"
"And I was not trying to get your
secret. You have the word Of a. I
stopped short. had run against a
snag. She gave me a glance of con.
tempt and triumph. Her head was up.
q little to one side, her nostrils dilated,
her breath slow and measured.
Miss Stanforth," said-I was near
betraying what demanded secrecy-"I
will prove to you before nighttime, not
before night, but soon-that I had an
other object. l will no longer remain
in house the inmates Of which, I
made a step toward the door.
Mr.. Branderstane"
Miss Stanforthv'
I'm addition to sailing under false
colOrs you are now goingsto endanger
your life BY
Fudge! What is my lifeto you"
snapped my fingers.
"a good deal just now. It is un-
pleasant to have person die on ones
hands,"
1 was in no condition for this en-
counter. A buzzing was going on in
my ears, q tingling sensation In my
limbs. My knees were giving way,
and l was obliged to sit down on the
sofa. l looked longingly at a bottle Of
brandy that stood on the.table, but was
too proud to ask for 1t. In a moment
Helen had poured some of the liquor
Into a tumbler and held it to my lips.
l drank a reviving draft. She put
her hands on my shoulders and gently
forced me to lie down.
This must not occur again." she
said. You have no strength to 60, and
l have no right to excite you while In
your present condition. believe what
you told me-" She put out her, hand.
Pardon" l said humbly. when
calm. would as soon think Of accusing
you of eavesdropping as would accuse
Diana of unchastity. l have been un.
gallant, rude-rude to a!woman."
Forget it. Lie still, and YOU will
soon be yourself again" She; sat down
by table and took up o book. II will