Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-20

control you'll do power of mischief yet.
The speaker drew a chair to the window
and sat down facing me. could not see
her, but had l stepped from the wall sne
would have instantly discovered me.
II don't want to do any mischief" fal-
tered the other voice. IAN want is to De
left alone
well. you can't be left alone retorted
the first speaker. And you won't be; so
you might Just as well make up your mind
not to be silly fool. There's nothing to
be afraid Of"
''Oh, Miss Mapesl Do you really think
SOP
Mapes? Where had heard that name?
Instantly Gllbert's reference to Miss Made
leine Mapes required to my mind This
was the housekeeper whose name he had
asked us to remember.
Il don't think it, know it,
Miss Mapes' tone was domineering but
followed / began to hope that the con-
versation had ended when the nervous
voice startled me again.
think?"
They WON'T Miss Mapes asserted. But
If they do, all you have to say is that you
don't know"
But can't tell an untruth.''
Cant your sneered the hOusekeeper.
'"Then you're the only person l ever met
who couldn't"
But not under OATH Miss Mapes." the
other woman quavered. That's crime"
''Yes, but"
You'll commit murder. Betty Field, II
you take to talking! Nothing less than
murder--mark my words!
The housekeeper's tone was fierce and
menactng, and could almost see the other
woman tremble
saw ftp
They never did ask you that-did they?"
mo. But the detective wanted to know
if I'd ever seen her wearing blue cloth
skirt"
We'll, you never had"
No. but l saw you with it, and
How do you know you did," Miss Mapes
interrupted. sharply. You saw me with
something in my hand"
1T was in the furnace"
Well, l don't care where it was. You
don't know whose it was. or what 1t was,
and nobody will find out that you saw any
thing unless you lose your head and blurt
it out; and If you do. her blood will be
upon you all the rest of your life and
you'll never wash 1t out with all your
tears
'Oh, Miss Mapesr
ooh, Miss Mapes, indeed!'' sneered the
housekeeper. Work yourself into hys-
want you in"
''Oh. please Miss Mapes. You know I'd
do anything to help, but don't you think
IT would be safer to go back?"
Yes, IL you're afraid to stay here But,
for heavens sake, make up your mind one
way or the other
Will you Gomez"
Il? Indeed I will not! But you'd better
start now If you want to run away You
haven't minute to lose"
oh, l can't I daren't go without you"
Then stay and keep your mouth shutr'
But If they ask your"
They may ask and ask again one and
all. and much good it may do 'em.
can take care of myself"
The sound of bell brought both women
20 their feet, and for moment there was
deep silence. Then Miss Mapes whispered:
That's Barstow's man. / thought he'd
come tonight. You stay here and listen to
what say. I'll go to the door"
l suppose more quickwitted man would
have risked discovery and escaped when he
no defense for my inaction save the fact
that In the few seconds which deyeIoped
.n,s conversation | did not realize what
was happening. Even when Miss Names
started for the front door 1 still stood
against the wall, my heart throbbinR with
excitement Then suddenly the full purnort
OF what had heard burst upon me. and
stepped forward just as the kitchen door
was thrown open, driving me behind n as
~ swung and pepning be between It and
the wall. l could hear some one mass ont
OF the Kitchen, and almost Immediately nv
view was INSTRUCTED by the figure ~ q
young woman who had placed herself Close
10 tne open window and against the wall
exactly where l had first stood I could
NOT NOT nave escaped then without brushing
her aside, although I might possjhIv have
reached my horse without disclosinp nv
iuehuty. put hesitated to risk the hue and
cry which would be instantly raised and
m = END In my capture and humiliation
L also entertained the hone that 7 r,ioht
not overhear any further embarra ssine con.
Versatlon. in which case there was nothing
10 De gained by beating an Immediate re-
treat.
In this. however, I was doomed To sneedv
MAJ
ing as she re-entered the room with a light
and, although / shrank farther behind the
door, could hear every word she uttered.
cont think you quite understand our
position In this matter, Miss Names" 7
heard the visitor reply
Il understand 1t well enough" Miss
Mapes retorted, CURLY.
hardly think So" answered the visitor,
pleasantly. We are striving to do all we
can for Miss Emory, but we cannot do our
best work in the dark"
indeed" snapped the housekeeper. IT
snouiu tnlnk darkness would favor law
yers' doings.s,
I know you don't like the profession"
laughed the man, good-naturedly. But
100 little confidence is apt to be more dan
gerous than too much. Mr.. Barstow most
earnestly advised you to remain out OF the
state until the trial was over, and he can
not understand why you have returned"
And can't understand why he allowed
Miss Emory to be indicted"
my oedr NdQam! he could not prevent
Indeed Then why was I bundled out
of the wayr'
1T was thought you might be compelled
to give embarrassing testimony"
Didn't he promise that II / went away
no harm should happen herr
Who? Mr.. Barstow? Perhaps he did.
But don't you think what has happened is
bad enough without making 1t any worse?"
1 couldn't make 1t worse"
IA xuf11 Nv Do
stow has prepared his defense in the belief
that you are safely outside the state and
cannot be called as a witness. He has
actually proceeded to trial counting on this
fact. and 1t Is no longer possible to obtain
postponement Now. at the eleventh hour.
you turn up and compel him to meet God
knows what testimony: for tell you very
frankly that he has reason to believe you
have never given him your full story. Can't
you see how embarrassing, not fatal, this
move of yours may be?"
The speakers tone was earnest and per-
suasive. and the girl, listening outside the
window, leaned forward excitedly.
Now, Mr.. Hunt Miss Mapes voice re-
piled. you've had your say. and I'll have
mine. l went away at Mr.. Barstow's re-
quest for one and only one reason, and that
was to protect Alice Emory. How has 1t
protected her? Hardly word Of suspicion
had been uttered against her when left.
nv,d re1,A t. A-l,1 f@r kA~ -