Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-18

and stopped to get 1t, for Rex was lean
ing on the MISUNDERSTANDING heavily
Yet their heads well nigh banged together
sudden was Ingraham's swoop. He
fairly snatched the fallen paper from be-
meath Gardens white-gloved fingers and
once more stood erect, but swaying I'M
comfortably. and facing his astonished
friend as Kent came forth, his candle
held on high, while he halted one instant
gazing In wonderment and incertitude at
the scene before him; Garden, slightly
flushed, staring fixedly at the pallid,
slender young man in the plain blue
blouse, who, breathing hard and fast.
with nervous hand was striving to thrust
letter of some kind into an inner
pocket. One year later and Kent would
have stayed that hand on the instant and
demanded that paper, but we were new
yet to the ways of war. He waited, there
fcre-until too late.
But no man of the three forgot for n mo-
ment the incident. nor did Mrs Langdon
VINO surveyed 1t from the archway to the
dining room. There was other witness
sun, had other been needed, for Winn was
slowly coming down the stairs But now
all eyes and ears were intent on the main
entrance Capt. Armstrong it was who
entered without halt or ceremony. remov-
Ing his cap at sight of Mrs. Langdon, but
promptly addressing Lieut. Kent:
We'll. sir. what have you found?'
Nothing as yet. captain" was the trou-
pied answer. We've only just got the
voice, take four men and search the cell
lar. Mr.. Kent. you and your men follow
me And with that. as though intolerant
OF delay or explanation. the elder officer
started bulkily up the winding stairs. To
Garden. to Mrs. Langdon, he had vouch-
safed not word; to Ingraham not so much
as a glance With Winn he exchanged a
brief salute.
Mrs. Langdon watched him until the last
man disappeared upon the landing then,
after the fashion of previous generation,
turned quietly to the aid-de-camp.
our arm. Mr.. Garden said she; and,
taking it, swept with graceful dignity on
the trail of the explorers. VIM turned
again. as though to follow her, and Rex
Ingraham was for moment left alone.
He tottered weakly to the dining room,
letter from his breast, held it to the light,
and with wonderment in his blue eyes read
the superscription following:
For Alice Langdon"
DO not open until you are alone"
Here was a predicament for presumably
loyal man. AS soldier it was Ingraham's
Cpty to tell at once what he knew of the
presence of the mysterious stranger. AS a
gentleman he was bound to give that letter
to Alice Langdon. That the writer was in
all probability Alice Langdon's southern
lover Rex felt sure the moment he read the
ST prescription. That that lover was Ed
Guard Premier ne had several reasons for
believing. In all probability Premier was
or the garnet above
Overhead could be heard the heavy foot.
falls as the soldiers passed from room to
room. Once he heard Mrs. Langdons soft
voice invitng-yes, iEviting-the searching
party to return and enter some nook they
had passed without discovery. Twice he
heard the Strident tones of the provost
marshal, giving curt orders to the men.
Then presently there came the swish of
skirts upon the stairway. 1t was Agatha
Langdon descending, little glass in hand.
Straight to the sideboard she came, and
there started back at sight of Ingraham.
Everything startles me tonight" she
said, yet, how i'll you look, and as for
Alice"
Il hope Miss Alice is recovering" he
ventured.
She gave him strange, questioning look
as she replied. "She is better, yes-BGt so
unstrung." and the white hand that pour
ed the sherry trembled perceptibly. 1T is
for her. she continued. hurriedly. "Oh,
that cavalry captain is. He insists on
searching everywhere. We have even
moved Alice now into mothers room. while
they search hers and you know it is impos
sible that any one should find refuge here
urder our roof" Again that searching,
questioning look. And still Rex could not
spe ak And still she hesitated And then
her mothers voice was heard calling her
name, and hurriedly ne turned and sped
upstairs, carrying the sherry with her
Then came the sergeant and his quartet,
fresh from their unsuccessful scouting
through the cellars. The sergeant wished
to know If search had been made among
the pantries and closets, and both he and