The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER NH.

Beverley at such an early hour that the
city was still half asleep when | reached
1t. After driving from florist TO florist in
search of an early riser among them, l at
last found one. / selected the choicest OF
his flowers and ordered them to be sent to
Miss Derwent by special messenger, hop
ing they would arrive in time to greet her
on her awakening, and cheerfully paid the
price demanded for them.
On reaching my office / was surprised to
find note from the irrepressible Atkins.
You may remember, patient reader that
had promised to dine with him on the
previous evening. When 1 found that ii
would be impossible for me to do so sent
word that regretted that l could not keep
my engagement with him. / naturally
thought that that ended the matter Not
at all, Here was an invitation even more
urgent than the last-an invitation for that
very day. too. Unless 1 wished to be posi-
lively rude and to hurt the feelings of these
good people / must accept There was no
way out of it. So I scrubbed a few lines
to that effect.
confess that when I rang the Atkins
bell that evening did so with considerable
trepidation, for l was not at all sure how
the lady would receive me. You see, had
not forgotten the way she f1ounced out of
the room the last and only time had seen
her. And yet had been quite blameless.
on that occasion. 1t was the coroner's
questions which had annoyed her, not mine.
However, 1 was considerably treasured as
to my reception by receiving a smiling
welcome from the same pretty maid l had
seen the week before. 1t Is queer fact
that we unconsciously measure the amount
of regard people have for us by the man.
ners of their servants. That this theory
is quite fallacious 1 know, but 1 found it
very useful on this occasion, for it gave
me the necessary courage to enter the
drawing room with smiling composure..
The room was almost dark, and, coming
from the brilliantly lighted hall. it was
some seconds before 1 could distinguish
from its surroundings the small
figure of my hostess, silhouetted
against the crimson sky. Her shimmering
black gown and fluffy hair caught and re-
fiected her red background in such a way
that for moment fancied 1 saw her sur
rounded and despatched with blood. The
effect was uncanny that it quite startled
me, but as she moved forward the illusion
vanished, and 1 was soon shaking a soft,
warm hand, which was quite reassuring.
at just hope you don't mind the dark
she exclaimed, leading me to a chair and
sinking into one herself. "but somehow the
light has hurt my eyes lately. and so
don't turn Ii on till it Is so dark that l
tumble all over the furniture. Mr.. Atkins
says I'm crazy, and ought to buy pair Of
blue goggles, and so would only they're
so unbecoming"
ION the contrary ! assuerd her. as
let myself cautiously down into one of
those uncomfortable gilt denominations
known to the trade as a Louis XVI arm
chair, II think this dim light just the thing
for a chat; always become quite confiden-
tial If 1 am caught between daylight and
dark. The Jay reveals too much; it offers
no veil for ones bushes. The darkness.
on the other hand, having no visible limits,
robs one of that sense of seclusion which
alone. provokes condolences. But the twi-
light, the tactful twilight, is so discreet
that it lures one on to open ones heart.
Luckily no designing person has yet found
out how weak 1 am at this hour, or else I
should have no secrets left"
"Oh, go along" she giggled; 81 guess
you're not the kind to say more than you
mean to-
ct assure you 1 am" but here I was IN
terrupted by my host, who called out from
the threshold
Hello. sitting in the dark? This is really
too absurd, Lulu
A flood of light followed these words and
revealed young Atkinss stslwart figure,
irreproachably clad in evening dress.
well, am glad to see you, DOCTOR" he
cried. as he wrung my hand vigorously.
Dinners ready, too, and 1 hope you're
ready for it,
The folding doors leading into the next
room slid back and disclosed a prettily
appointed table, profusely decorated with
flowers and silver. Soon after we had set
tied into our chairs 1 seized moment when
/ was unobserved to steal look at Mrs
Atkins. She was certainly paler and thin
ner than when had seen her last, but the
change. instead of detracting from her
looks, only added to her charm. Dark vio-
let lines encircled her blue eyes and lent
them a wistful, pathetic expression that
greatly enhanced their beauty. Otherwise
/ thought her less changed than her hus-
band had led me to suspect, and L could
detect none of that extreme nervousness
of which he had spoken; only when she
turned towards him did her manner appear
A
as to be hardly noticeable. In fact. of the
| two ii was he who seemed Ill at ease, and
l noticed that he kept watching her anx.
| iously. / saw that she conscious OF
| his constant scrutiny, and that at times she
| became quite restless under his prolonged
| gaze; then. tossing her head defantly, as
| If determined to cast off the spell of his
| eyes, she would talk and laugh with re.
newed animation.
The dinner was delicious and we'll served
| my hostess extremely pretty; my host al
| most overpoweringly cordial, and the con.
| lectual. We had reached the fruit stage
and / was leaning contentedly back i'm my
chair, congra tulating myself on my gooC
| luck in having happened on such pleasant
| evening. when Mrs. Atkins explained:
81 say, doctor, you haven't told us
thing about your thrilling adventure. What
| a blessing the mailman didn't succeed In
| killing you. Do tell all about it,"
After her husbands warning me that the
bare mention of the tragedy excited her
| had naturally taken great pains to avoid
| all reference to the subject. 1 was, conse
| quently, good deal surprised to hear hel
breach it with such apparent calmness.
| L glanced inquiringly at Atkins.
"Yes, do he urged, still looking at hi.
| wife
I'm afraid there isn't much more tc
tell.' / hesitatingly replied; IL gave the
newspapers a pretty straight account o.
| the whole affair.
| ''Oh, but you were much too modest.
| she cried; "a little bird has told us that yo,
| are a great detective and suspected Argo
| from the first. Say, how did you manag.
| to hit on him? We want all the details
| you know.
| II was her fattery, 1 am afraid. which
| loosened my tongue and made me forge
| my former caution.
| well il was mostly luck" assured her