Middletown transcript., 1904-06-11
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

point OF entering Lady Howards roohl'
paused and looked round quickly, her
attention having been arrested by
of the gravel and shadow
which had suddenly fallen across her
path.
Il was Falkland. Evidently he must
have followed Immediately upon their
footsteps; and, as Evelyn turned and
SURVEYED him, she was instantly struck
by the deathly whiteness of his face.
Is anything the matter? she asked,
glancing anxiously in the direction OF
her aunt.
Nothing whatever, was the brusque
reply; it is merely a shawl which Lady
Howard wished for. But you did not
hear her call, l suppose; you were too
much taken up with that fellow Brown.
Evelyn raised her eyebrows, and gave
him a swift utterly disdainful look.
1t is strange what you see in that man,
he went on, folding his arms and, whilst
you persistently avoid my society, you
seem everlastingly ready to enter into
conversation with him. 1t is not fancy,
Miss Luttrell-it is perfectly true. Three
times to-day have l attempted to speak
to you three times have you made some
trifing excuse and turned to leave me.
And why have l, exclaimed Evelyn,
her eyes flashing ire-why? Simply
because you persist i'll discussing the most
ridiculous Of subjects!
I have certainly made half a dozen
attempts during the last few days to tell
you that love you. to ask you to be my
wife /; but perhaps that is topic OF con-
versation which you care to discuss only
with your friend Brown, since you appear
to find him so very interesting.
Or rather perhaps it is that, whilst you
talk such utter nonsense, he talks sense
was the cutting reply.
You call a declaration Of love, pro-
prosal of marriage, nonsense, then, Miss
Luttrell?
Yes Il call anything nonsense that is
SO contrary to all reason, returned Eve
lyn, her voice trembling. And, since
you know how much hate it, wonder
you poster me as you do.
Oh, very well If that is tile case, l
will not attempt to renew the subject
again-in that way, at any rate; my
attentions shall annoy you no longer,
and
Thank you, interrupted Evelyn in low
angry tones-that is all l care about
and, without another word or look, she
turned to the open window and disap-
peared, leaving Falkland with ruffied
brows and lips set in angry determina-
ton gazing drearily into vacancy.
CHAPTER VI
1t was certainly true. Miss Luttrell
had not been mistaken in declaring that
the forged cheque was not one of those
which she had lost some months before /;
and careful investigation quickly re-
vealed in the fact that the cheque in
question had been dexterously extracted
from the book in such manner as to
leave no blank counterfoil to raise the
Of its owner.
1t is clear that the forgery has been
effected quite recently, and, no doubt,
during our stay here, declared Lady
Howard, looking towards Evelyn and
Mr.. Falkland for confirmation of her
words, the latter having, despite her
niece's protestations, been called in for
consultation upon the weighty matter.
But the thing is, who can have done it?
There are half dozen men in the hotel
who may be really professional forgers
for all we know ; but | do not suppose
that one of them even knows Evelyn's
Christian name, much less her signature.
l beg your pardon, Lady Howard-you
forget the visitors book, suggested Falk-
land promptly.
The visitors book All, yes-her
name is there, certainly But who could
be sure it was her writing? Who would
dare to forge cheque with such doubt
full assistance? And, now that l think
of it-Lady Howard tapped her gold
trimmed glasses thoughtfully against her
fancy l myself was the one
to write our names. Can you remember,
Evelyn?'
Yes; l remember quite well. You did
write them, l know, answered Evelyn,
with vindictive little nod towards Gil
bert Falkland.
Oh, indeed But, even if that is SO,
there are twenty other ways in which a
clever forger could get hold Of your sigma
ture. You have not written to anybody
staying in the hotel, l suppose, Miss
Luttrell?
Written to anybody? No-certainly
notI
Nor lent any books in which your name
is inscribed?
No, returned Evelyn, with the same
decision ; l have not lent anything.
Then, as far as your recollection goes,
you can give us no clue to the mystery r
You have no remembrance, for instance,
Of writing letter and tearing it up, or of
signing your name in any chance way
which could possibly he turned against
you?
Again Evelyn answered "No," but this
time there was less assurance in her tones.
with her arms folded ON the
back Of her aunt's chair, she had started
slightly at Falkland's question, and~now,
as she raised her head, strangely per-
picked look came suddenly into her eyes,
II cannot remember anything, she
added hurriedly.
Not anything at all persisted Falkland
quick to notice her evident
hesitation.
MISUNDERSTANDING.
Well, the only thing is to take care of
hat cheque, observed Falkland, watch
ng her narrowly. You see, it is really
III that we have to 60 upon. If you
would give it to me, though, 1 might be
lble to do something for you in the