Middletown transcript., 1904-06-11

dreamed however Lildt btiey houiuH pO eo
speedily realized. But, as to your sug-
gestion, I would willingly follow 1t If l
could, only it is ten to one that, where he
would most probably comply with one OF
your reqnests, mine would absolutely
fail. But think it over to yourself for
half an four. Anyhow We must do some
thing tonight. Every moment is of con-
seqnence, and We must secure it
if not by fair means-well, in such case
as this suppose any means are allowable
Eyelyn's only answer was deep sigh
as she rose slowly to her feet and turned
away with strange inexpiicable longing
to be left alone to her own thoughts, con-
llicting ones~though they wire, to be
worried by 10 more cross-quesiionings or
cynical taunts concerning the man whom.
despite her short acquaintance with him
and her aunt's preiudices, she was be-
ginning to regard with something which
was not exactly mere interest.
No wonder therefore that this latest
affair had been to her like blow, that
for the time being she was simply stunned
by the seriousness of the discovery. She
could hardly believe that everything had
been done with one aim and object in
view, that all the Majors attentions, his
| numerous little acts of kindness to both
her aunt and herself, had been part OF
deeply-laid scheme. 1t was too terri
Bile to think how easily she had been
duped, how she had been carried away
| by his well assumed courtesies, in many
cases falling readily into the traps which
had been so ingeniously contffyed for
her. Yet, as she reviewed the past two
weeks, it seemed incredible to her that
it should really be so-that man who
could commit such deliberate felony
could at the same time possess such
fascinating manners and appear, as he
always did, so thoroughly at his ease.
1t was growing dusk when Evelyn
reused herself wearily from her somewhat
harassing reveries, and turned her foot
steps in the direction of the brilliant
lamplight which was streaming forth
from Lady Howard's room.
Her aunt had disappeared sometime
previously, alarmed no doubt by the
heavily falling dew, and it was only as
the hour was struck by some distant
clock that Evelyn remembered she would
be waiting for her to make her coffee.
Great was her astonishment however,
as she drew slowly nearer and nearer, to
| hear the sound Of voices and to behold
not only her aunt, but two other figures
sitting in the most confidential manner
beneath the shade OF the veranda. One
was Falkland-she would have recog-
nized his pale rather cadaverous-looking
face mile away-and the other Oh,
it was absurd She must be dreaming
1t was beyond the bounds of possibility
1t could not be Major Brownl
Whether it was beyond the bounds of
possibility or not, it was certainly the
Major who sprang up at her approach,
and who moved his chair to one side to
allow her to pass with that same spon-
taneous courtesy which had struck her
from the first.
Dear me, child, where have you been
l thought you were lost exclaimed her
ladyship by way of greeting. Ring the
bell, dear, and say we are ready for
coffee. They are later than usual this
| evening.
But Evelyn did not utter a word as
she passed silently through into the sit
ting-room. At the sight of the Major
her heart had given one tremendous
bound, and now it was beating almost to
suffocation. What was he doing there
What could be the reason? Never be-
fore had she seen either her aunt or Falk-
land making themselves SO obviously
agreeable to him. Never before had he
even been made welcome to their room.
Miss Luttrell-it was Falkland who
had followed her through the window
this will be your opportunity. You can
not have better chance. Go out the
instant your aunt leaves the veranda,
and in as casual way as possible try 10
gain possession OF that cheque!
At the sound of the low rather hurried
words Evelyn started slightly and sud-
denly dropped the parasol which she
was swinging slowly to and fro in her
hand.
The cheque she gasped, gazing wildly
round.
There was no need to wonder any Ion
ger what the unusual affability meant.
The Major had not been proclaimed in
noeent of the forgery, as she i'll vague
sense of despair had almost imagined. 1t
was clear why he had been welcomed go
warmly into their private room and yet,
as her eyes wandered through the open
window, to rest for one brief moment
upon the accused as he stood talking to
her aunt, handsome wonderfully dis
tinguished-looking man in his faultless
evening dress, all her old feelings of in
credulity came back to her as foreibly as
ever. She forgot any doubts and suspic-
ions that she had had, never for an in
slant remembered the episode Of the
birthday book and the strange man
euvres lie had adopted to secure a speci.
men Of her writing and her signature,
and with decided shake of her head put
an immediate veto upon Falkland's care
fully worked out plan.
Then you refuse to do anything in the
matter? Really, Miss Luttrell, You as
tonish me observed Falkland, cynical
smile curling his lips. But you have a
tender heart, / suppose, and dislike the
thought of your elegant friend being pro-
yided witt-a suit of broad arrows at the
nations expense.
/ refuse, returned Evelyn, her head
erect, her eyes flashing, simply becan
am certain that Major Brown is as inno-
cent of forging that cheqne s-pausing
to add greater emphasis to her words las