The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25

.I am sorry you cannot come, Heygate,
but I think you are right; those papers
ought to be looked through with as little
delay as possible"
Sir Francis was being helped into heavy
overcoat by the butler as he spoke.
1T strikes me you have decidedly the best
OF it," he went on, more than usually
heavy gust Of wind struck the house and
ragged angrily through the trees in the ave-
nue.. What do you say, Evelyn? Shall
we give up the concert and disappoint the
inhabitants for once?''
Certainly not" laughed the girl. shaking
back the fur-Iined hood from her face a
little. "If you get through the papers
sooner than you expect, Mr.. Heygate. you
might go and talk to Aunt Caroline for
little while. / am sure she would be
pleased"
Hers was a provokingly pretty face, es-
pecially with such roguish smile upon 1t
as at that moment. She knew perfectly well
that should find little pleasure in talking
to Aunt Caroline.
AS the carriage rolled away down the
avenue, / went into the library. but did
not turn to my work at once. I stirred the
fire into blaze, lit cigarette, and through
the smoke of 1t contemplated a photograph
OF Evelyn Gillian which stood upon the
mantelpiece- 1t a speaking likeness
caught at her happiest moment. She was
smiling, much as she had smiled at me
Just now. and I had doubt what her
smiles meant when / was the recipient OF
them Strange how a woman may uncon-
sciously creep into a mans life and spoil IT,
A few short months ago and I had been
contented. grateful that my lines were cast
in such pleasant places. and that the vista
of a successful future had been opened up
to me; now-with a sigh threw away the
cigarette and turned TO the writing table
and my work. The papers were important.
but they could have waited until to-mor-
row had I desired to go out tonight. I
was playing the martyr to spite Miss Gill
liam, and 1 was painfully conscious that I
had sacrificed myself in vain. 1t was a
matter of no moment to her whether went
to the concert or not. Why should 1T be?
/ was private secretary to Sir Francis
Gillian. He and my father had been friends
at Harrow and the university, and when
my father had died two years ago. leaving
me- a briehess barrister without penny in
the world, Sir Francis had suggested the
Il
out moments hesitation. for Sir Francis
Gillian was a member OF the Cabinet. a
power in the House OF Commons. and. al
though he had the reputation Of being a
hard and austere man, he treated me very
well. I was useful to him and looked for
ward to a parliamentary career myself: in
deed, Sir Francis had promised me his
help. and with his influence behind me
could hardly fail Then came an awaken
ing-the consciousness Of a new thread in
my Life. Six months ago had seen his
daughter Evelyn for the first time. She
had been travelling on the continent for
some months, part Of the time with the
Aunt Caroline who was now an invalid I'm
the house. absolutely confined to her room.
With Evelyn Gillian's coming my discon-
tent was born, and had fourished exceed
ingly ever since. i think fell in love the
moment Sir Francis presented me to his
daughter. She accepted me one of the
family, was gracious to me, and soon un-
derstood me. It was not long before UNI
derstocd her too. Her provoking smile told
me plainly enough that only politeness pre-
vented her laughing outright at my ambi-
tion. Evelyn Gillian was not for her
fathers secretary, and had every reason
10 suppose she was destined to become mis-
tress Of Stour Abbey. to which property a
Captain Denton had lately succeeded. He
was generally liked, believe: came near
10 hating him. Tonight he would be at the
concert In aid Of the Cottage Hospital
where Evelyn was singing. and this was
why cid not go. He knew nothing about
music; did, and thought might annoy
the singer by taking no interest in her per-
Torrance. II was very petty, and, more
over, futile Instead OF being annoyed, she
had suggested a talk with Aunt Caroline
as a relaxation from my labors.
I irew the green-shaded lamp closer and
set to work upon the papers. I have the
faculty of putting my whole mind into any
work / have in hand. / forgot the concert
and was hardly conscious of the wind roar
ing In the wide chimney and rafting the
windows behind their shutters. My thoughts
ran freely and smoothly, and 1 must have
worked for an hour filing small sheaf OF
paper slips with notes. when a particular
~ knotty point caused me to put down my
pen and lean back in my chair to think Ii
out. On the opposite wall, between two
windows was a long mirror. In 1t could
see my own reflection and the reflection OF
the green lamp and Of the closed door be-
hind me. 1t was like looking into another
room. The man sitting there was almost
companionable. The unoriginality OF the
idea did not occur to me, but the fact OF
the impression being fixed In my mind at
the moment seems to explain why re-
manned gazing into the mirror as did. In
my half reverie / was looking into another
room. taking stock OF the surroundings OF
the man who sat there alone with the door
fast closed behind him. Closed 1 was
looking across the table. past the man
towards the door. and saw 1t open slowly
tust little way. There was no sound. The
wind might have done IL, the insecurely
fastened latch might have slipped. A little
more it opened. still silently, and then -four
thin fingers clasped 1t, opening Ii a little
wider There was the impression of evi
and stealth in those fingers. l wondered
why the man at the table did not turn. Hi:
face was pale with greenish hue from the
lamp, and he sat motionless. staring pas
me. while those fingers held the door les
II should swing and make noise. Thos,
thin fingers fascinated me. I speculates
upon the owner of them, and all the tim,
/ wanted to cry out and warn the man
There was another stealthy movement o
the door. and then head appeared jus
above the fnsers-a woman's head. Th'
IAt~ -