Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-09

Point. and finally. back by the winding
pathway through the trees. toward the
avenue again, where the gas lamps CLEANED
mfstily and threw a feeble glow at inter-
walls upon the broad walk, and there, just
as they stepped forth upon the planking
which creaked and grumbled under their
springy tread-just within the ringing
line of elms beyond the next lamp post and
at the outer edge of the little circle OF
Hght-there stood two shadowy forms
those of a man and a woman. AS the sol
der came within the circle the fame Of the
jet shone full on the gold-crossed sabers
and the cord of the natty KEPT, and glis-
tened on button and shoulder strap. Par
TALLY, too, it blinded the eyes beneath that
stiff leather visor. so that only family
could they follow what instantly hap
pened.
All In that instant the shadowy head OF
the uplifted, then with sudden
rush and scurry the form darted from
sight among the trees. Another instant
and brother and sister had passed the
lamp post and were within plain view OF
the white. startled, yet lovely face that
turned in distress and terror upon them
the face of Ethel Hoyt.
Fane's hand went up to his cap. 1mpa-
tiently he shook off the restraining touch;
impulsively he stepped forward, never heed
ing, never hearing. possibly, his sisters nail
imploring murmur "Oh, Ronald! Don't
don't speak! Come with mel He had but
one thought one idea-Stetson's mad threat
had been put into execution. Stetson. or
some one IOr StetSOn, 0dQ QaTeQ u dCCOSt
to insult her, and. seeing him cazning, had
suddenly fed. What was 1t? VINO was 1t,
Miss Ethel?" he cried, as he sprang to her
side. Which way did he go? Tell me,
glared about him. But her answer con-
fused, COMPOUNDED, amazed him.
"Oh. no. No! 1t isn't-it wasn't In
deed, he meantime did no harm! Oh, pray,
don't think of 1t. Good night, Mr. Fame
Miss Fame" And before he could regain his
scattered senses she was hurrying far up
the walk toward the lights of the hall. Fame
would have turned and followed, but his sis
ter held fast Come with me- she plead
ed, land I'N--I'H have to tell your!
And, going with her. he listened. stunned
and silent, to the sisters story. 1t was no
uncouth ruffian, then. 1t was some I'M
known admirer, some unsupported lover.
And they had met at later hours! They had
met before! And he and She or both, were
ashamed. else why should the man take to
his heels?
Ronald Fame did not go to tea that even
ing. we'll remembered with the fol-
lowing day. Jane herself was very late, and
explained that Ronald had some business to
attend to. Tremaine tore himself away for
vestry meeting at 8, and about Ronald
came in, went to his mothers room, and
presently to his own, whittier Jane had
smuggled tempting little luncheon for him,
and whittier she, too followed saying: Til
have some tea for you in two minutes. She
found him looking curiously at a letter that
lay conspicuously on his desk. That was
brought to the house by messenger about
g." she said. lis it-anything of impor-
lancer
He had not yet read. He was dazed, sore
hurt and troubled, and she had done 1t. She.
the sister who SO devotedly loved him. had
taught him diStrust, even d1shonor, OF the
girl who must have held foremost place in
his heart, and how could her Ronald have
given such a love to one unworthy! Con-
science was shifting her now. Like many
another woman, she had been all impulse to
make him with her eyes the woman he
loved, until at last he saw. Then, appalled,
at the result. she began to conjure up ex-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. would not heed
before; to look for some way-some reason
to undo what she had done, Self-torment-
ed, she fled from his now doubly Borrowing
face. Even the light of battle-longtng had
gone from it, There was nothing left but
suffering She needed to collect her thoughts
and was almost glad to find the kitchen fire
so low 1t took her ten long minutes to brew
the tea she was to have had ready In two.
T His room was dark and he was gone
when once again she entered, struck a
match and lit the gas. The luncheon stood
there on the table, still untouched. Vaguely
troubled, she set down the tea things, and
in doing so displaced a half-folded half
sheet that fell to the floor. 1t lay open
as she stopped, and the words were few
but plain and significant:
Look out for your guns tonight. II you
don't believe, come through the west grove
at 10 o'clock and see for yourself
"(Signed) LOYAL"
Look out for the guns!' she repeated
That might mean either the rifles in the
gun racks within or the two field pieces
on the bluff without the gymnasium. Ira
dition had 1t that once before these had
been dumped into the lake. Come through
the west grove" Naturally. if the object
was to surprise the Indicators at their
work and catch them red-handed. Natural
ly, for on the chance of interruption they
would have picEetS on the main Travelled
paths, but would hardly expect any one
from that other direction of a dark night.
Evidently Ronald had gone at once-that
was to be expected-gone alone, probably,
for whom had he to summon to his AID!
Hurredly she returned to her own room,
which by day, at least, commanded bet
ter view; raised the window, threw open
the shutters, and then, kneeling, looked
out upon the night. The scud was driving
across the sky. The waning moon was still
low in the east and obscured by cloud.
Only three or four stars were struggling
for peep through the driving veil. The
wind was moaning low among the shrub
berry and tossing unseen branches overhead
In one continuous plant and plash the long
waves rolled aslant upon the pebbiy shore.
Far across the troubled waters locomo-
tive headlight rounded rocky point and
threw its brilliant beam athwart the white
capped surface. 1t was the night express
of the Central, inward bound. Then 1t
must be later than she thought. Even In
the parlor below, when often the students
kept the piano jangling by the hour, there
was silence and desolation. Everybody was
hearted. army-bred girl seemed most to
need support and sympathy The very night
wind blowing from the sturdy cedars at
the Point seemed to whisper of foreboding,
of impending danger, and Jane could stand
1t no longer. God guard my boyE she
almost walled, wringing her supple hands
Then suddenly she sprang to her feet
Borne on the rising, moaning gale.-borne
from the very heart of the westward grove
beyond the gynnasium-there came to ner
ears sharp and spiteful. the sound OF
single shot That was all. That was more
than enough. Again she hurried down to
Ronald's room. to the pine wardrobe
against the northward wall, and threw 1t
open. The belt that always hung on the
rearmost peg--the belt that bore his hol-
stored pistol-hung there still He at least
had gone unarmed. The soldier had OBJ
served the civil law. possibly to his own
, peril, for peril there certainly was
And then, slow and solemn, booming on
the night the big bell in the central tower
up the hill began the stroke of 10.
Go be continued tomorrow