Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-30
THE ACCOMPLICE
FREDERICK TREVOR HILL.
Copyright, 1906, by Harper & Brothers.
All rights reserved.

cheeks were flushing at his words ana the
smile had not quite disappeared. The sight
angered me and made me angry with my
self. II the prosecutor-the man primarily
responsible for Alice Emorys trtal-still re-
tanned the friendship of one of her warmest
friends. why should / conclude that YER
dict of guilty would exclude me from the
list of her acquaintance? If Gilbert were
received so would / be! If there was a dis
tinction between us 1t was In my favor.
was a weak-minded fool to shun the So
ciety of this girl on conscientious scruples.
Gilbert evidently did not fear her influence
upon his action, and there was no reason
why l should not display equal self-confi-
dence.
1t must have been my steady gaze which
attracted her attention. for, rs l stood
watching her. Miss Frayne suddenly
and bowed. 1 drew back hastily without
returning her greeting. and then hurried
downstairs TO repair the omission and apollo
gize for my Ill manners.
When l reached the street, however, Gill
bert had gone and Miss Frayne was rapidly
disappearing in the distance. Without a
moments delay l united my horse, and
springing on his back cantered off in pur-
suit. Before l was within hailing distance,
however, the girl swung into side road
and although lifted my hat as she glanced
In my direction she did not apparently
see me, and when / reached the corner she
was far In advance. l urged my horse for
ward and was rapidly overtaking her when
she, too, broke from trot to canter,
which became a gallop as l continued to
gain upon her. and for hundred yards or
more rode In cloud of choking and blind
ing dust. Then suddenly / felt the i'm
pulse of challenge in her increasing speed,
and touching my horse with my heels | set
tied down to ride. Instantly she RESPONDED
with flash of her whip. and away we thun-
dered in a breakneck race, which termi-
mated almost as suddenly as it began, for
her hat blew off and she Immediately be-
gan to draw rein.
Surrenderl'' shouted shot
alongside of her. My hats Off Stop,
please'
L hauled at my horses head. but both
animals were excited and we covered an
other quarter of a mile before we finally
pulled up, painting breathlessly
ibid have beaten you if-lf it hadn't
been for that miserable hat"' she gasped,
dehantly, as soon she could speak
She had never looked more lovely her
cheeks flaming from the exercise and her
eyes flashing with the light of combat
wed have beaten him easly-wouldn't
we, Doily?" she continued, patting her
horses head.
Il doubt It," 1 asserted, boldly. MY
well-bred'
Too well-bred to cut his a ,quaintances.
L hope. Don't you, Dolly?"
She glanced up at me sharply as she
leaned forward and stroked the mares ears
followed you to apologize" l began.
please forgive me-"
apologize for not doing So However. / sup
pose you were cross"
Cross
Yes-and you're cross now-aren't your
NO indeed"
Well, severe would perhaps be the safer
word" she suggested, with a smile why
are you SO severe and stately?'
was not conscious of being so,' an
swered.
rs it possible to look like that without
feeling it?" she laughed. II should think it
would hurt"
That Isn't what hurts" I responded.
But deserve anything you care to say
I did not mean to be rude, but / was. and
l hope you'll forgive me-"
l think | will in time-that Is If nv hat
Isn't spoiled" she added, laughingly ITS
a brand new sailor and If you've made me
break it
l rode back, and recovering the hat, hand
ed it to her. She examined it carefully and
then looked up at me smilingly.
Not isn't hurt" she announced, "and
avoided me this morning"
nestated, not wishing to reopen the
forbidden subject, but frankness seemed
the only reliable safeguard for the future.
trust you will not misunderstood me
Miss Frayne," I began. but after our CON,
Versation last night felt had no right to
meet you until my present duty"
AFTER our conversation last night?" she
interrupted. What conversation? ?"
You know" 1 answered
indeed L do not" she asserted, with
shade Of annoyance in her voice
Inc denial disappointed me- and 1 did not
care to conceal my feeling
You must certainly remember teIenbon-
ing me- 1 responded, coldly
,..; IeaIephondng you? 1 never telephoned
stared at the girl In amazement, but
'ier puzzleo expression was sincerity itself
We'll, somebody 1 began.
:. Ihen suddenly dt flashed upon me that
the person at the other end of the wire had
spoken truly when she announced herself
as as. Inc housekeeper, and that my con1dante
was no other than Madeleine Names
Go be continued tomorrow