Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04
The MARATHON MYSTERY.
By BURTON Z. STEVENSON.
Copyright. 1904. By Henry Holt 4 Co.,

- Not at all: merely little indisposition
| Shall let you out7'
There was something IN the last words
| q lttie TOO much eagerness, perhaps-which
| arrested my attention. They didn't sound
| quite IKE Mrs. Delroy. for you know, God
frey. she's usually the sweetest, eentlest
most hospitable woman in the world-the
| very last person who would think Of chas-
| ing man out into storm. 1 don't know
why 1t was, but somehow the thought
flashed through my head that she was de-
ceiving me, that she wasn't telling the
truth, that she wanted to get rid Of me-
I've got streak of obstinacy In me that
took fire in moment.
Isn't there chance that Miss Croydon
| may get better after while and come
| DOWN. asked.
Mrs. Delroy shook her head decidedly.
m afraid not. It's a nervous head
| ably
. rs she subject to nervous headachesr
asked, playing for time. I'm sorry to hear
that. She doesn't in the least look it, "
On, no., she answered quickly, she's
not at all subject to them; but occasionally,
when she's overworked herself
The sentence trailed Off into nothingness.
saw that she wasn't thinking of what she
was saying, and when she glanced down
into the street again. / began to get an ink
ling of the real state of affairs. I was a
little ashamed of the part 1 was playing.
but determined to brazen it out. If Miss
Croydon had gone out alone on a night
| like this, l had right to know it. Why
IL
was there in her errand that needed to be
concealed from me?
Mrs Delroy was looking at me anxiousIy
Finally she took the bull by the horns.
I really must be going upstairs she
said. You'll excuse meY
Certainly Is Mr.. Delroy here?
No; he's out of town today and she
made another movement toward the door
Il didn't see how l was going to hang
on any longer without being absolutely
| rude; l gave it up in despair. After all, 1
could wait outside the house. Then, sud-
denly. l realized that 1 was acting like a
cad-I had no right to play the spy-but
| there was something back of it all-some
| mystery-whch worried and puzzled me.
| should Mrs. Delroy receive me2 1 was
playing the fool had right to sus-
! pect
And just then. Godfrey. as 1 glanced out
| OF the window, l saw cab dash up to the
| house and a woman get out of it. l knew
! her on the instant. and | shouldn't care to
| go through another such moment of doubt
| and suspicion and agony. For it was worse
| than had thought. She had not used her
| sisters carriage-then. at least. she would
| have been in the care of a trusted coach
| man-she had hired cab"
Yes. said Godfrey drily. The Delroy
carriage would have been too conspicuous
| besides, she wanted to keep her errand
| secret, even from the servants
do you mean
mo matter; go ahead with your story,
| then I'll tell you mine.
| Drysdale was shaking convulsively, but
| he managed to go on.
"AS l said / saw cab drive up and a
| woman get out. She ran up the steps, the
door opened. and Miss Croydon came into
| the room. Even in the dim light, could
see how white her face was.
| "'Gracev cried Mrs. Delroy stepping for
| ward at sight of her. 'Grace!
Miss Croydon turned to her and held out
| her arms
Yes. I've seen him, Edith she said in
| a voice that l shall never forget. should
have taken your advice. L should not have
gone
| "'You shall not go again, dear"
| Mo agreed the other not again.
J There was something in her tone that
caught her sisters ear.
| what is it. Grace?' she demanded
| fercely. Tell me!'
! Its worse than either of us thought
| he's dead, Edith "
| Drysdale paused a moment. His voice
| was shaking SO that he could not go on
| He wiped his forehead mechanically, with
| trembling hand
Godfrey" he said. at last. II tell you
my own heart stood still at those words
| uttered in such tone-there was no mis-
| taking her meaning-and 1t moment
| before l could clearly enough to dis
Germ Mrs. Delroy's look of horror as she
stared up at her sister.
| =" Not THAR she cried. Not on your
| han ds. Oh, why did you go? Why did you
go? What have you done?
| "She swayed, clutched blindly at the air
and would have fallen had not her sister
caught her in her arms That brought my
senses back. and l sprang out from the
| shadow of the curtains.
4" Let me help you, Grace l said, as
| calmly as / could.
! "She turned upon me a face dead but for
the awful horror of the eyes looking out
| from it.
You" she whispered. You! You here"
| Certainly l said. Weren't you ex-
| pectipg me. Grace?'
She controlled herself by a mighty eff
| fort; l saw how much stronger she was
than her sister
I "'Oh, yes she said more quietly. I'd
| forgotten. You see, Edith is i'll. VIII you
| ring?'
II rang the bell and in moment Mrs.
Delroy was carried away. Miss Croydon
| fingered a moment.
81 must go, John, she said. with some
thing like her old manner. Come tomor-
row-that is, If you care to come
"'Care to comet! l cried, but she held
me away from her.
come-perhaps you won't. and l shan't
blame you Go to Mr.. Godfrey, John, and
ask him-tell him that l sent you-then. af-
terward, If you care to come, l shall be
! glad-glad--
II thought her self-control was going to
fail her. but it was only for instant.
However, John, she added more calmly,
| If you do come it must be with the under
standing that l am to be asked no ques-
| lions, be worried for no explanations. You
| must be content with what Mr.. Godfrey
| can tell you. for 1 can tell you nothing
more-at least, not now. You must trust
| me wholly. Good night, and she was gone
Then" concluded Drysdale grimly, Il
| took cab straight here, and here am.
| Now. in Gods name, what does 1t mean
! What has she done?'
CTo be continued tomorrow.)