Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10

suit of my interference? Had Miss Mapes'
testimony forced them to consider verdict
of guilty?
If had held my tongue would the ex-
change Of rooms have remained undiscov
cred? 1t was more than probable. Bar
stow, Miss Mapes and the defendant were
the only persons who knew of 1t, and some
miraculous chance had diverted Gilbert
from the subject. Why had not had sense
enough to let him conduct his own case? L
might have suspected that Barstow had
good grounds for excluding the housekeep-
er's testimony, and 1t would not have re-
quired much foresight to beware of the
special fact which she had obtruded upon
me.
confess had bitterly repented Of my In
tervention and roundly cursed myself for
a nledding fool before we rose from the
supper table, and the thought that l was
in duty bound to interfere, and could not
honorably have suppressed my information,
did not comfort or reassure me in the
least. Indeed, I was SO nervous and ir-
ritable that I could not sit still, and instead
Of accompanying my associates to the Of
fee remained outside pacing up and down
the public hall. ! must have covered half
a mile in this way when the front door
opened and l found myself face to face
with Barbara Frayue and the colonel. She
was certainly an attractive picture as she
stood in the doorway, her dark olive-green
corduroy skirt and jacket and black furs
slightly sprinked with snow. and her
cheeks glowing with color-but drew back
as though a ghost confronted me.
$50 it's you who are tramping up and
down this hall like a Gagged ANIMAL! she
exclaimed before l recovered from my sur
prise. II caught ghmpses of you through
the piazza window but diun't think you
were the sort to take exercise In the house
such lovely night as this"
We've been having constitutional on
the piazza" explained the colonel. It's
like being on an ocean liner in snow
storm out there--the winds blowing twenty
miles an hour, and the air is a positive
tonic"
Rar 1araS directed Ire sTt's sitting in here"
she added, throwing open her jacket;
DO you thin, I'm going to SMOKE in the
mademoisellel My tobaccos too good to
waste You wait for me in the ladies'
room and I'll come for you in fifteen min
utes. Have cigar, Lambert. .r ao,,+
feel like smoking tonight"
The colonel laid his hand upon my Shout
der and confidentially tapped my chest.
whenever I feel that way go and see
doctor. my boy" he laughed ''I'll find you
here in fifteen minutes, BabT ne ADDED as
he turned toward the office
IT wouldn't be too sure of IT., she an
swered. warningly. Il might elope with
Mr.. Lambert Now don't be shocked" she
continued, as the colonel disappeared And
don't look disappearing. or / shall say some
thing really worth while"
Remember. you are not infallible In IN
terpretng my expression" l responded
7Well, know tired face when I see IT.
she responded. You need a tonic. ana
prescribe some fresh air. Get your hat and
coat on and we'll walk off some of the ef-
fects of that stuffy court room"
'Pll be with you in q moment" I an
swered, running quickly up the stairs.
When returned she was standing in front
of the glass endeavoring to fasten the col
lar of her Jacket, and as I approached she
abandoned the effort with an impatient
stamp of her foot.
Please see If you can hook thisr' she ex-
claimed, turning to me, her chin raised and
her head thrown back.
What woman cannot join together let no
man try to bungle," / answered warningly,
as laid aside my hat and took the ends of
the rebellious collar In my fingers.
"Praetice makes perfect" she quoted,
smilingly.
TINS" I responded funbling the hook and
eye. I'm afraid this is too much for me-"
added as again missed connections.
II have every confidence in you." she an
swered, slowly.
I thought detected a double meaning in
the words, but instantly condemned myself
for fool Of one idea
Pm afraid your confidence is misplaced
I answered. II am desperate bungler.''
"Yo,i are too easily discouraged I have
not lost faith in you for one moment You
are doing better than You think"
The words were lightly, almost jestingly,
spoken, but this time there was no mis-
taking their underlying meaning. Had she
told me In the plainest language that she
understood and appreciated what had tried
to do In the Emory case. the message could
not have been clearer. had expected her
to hold me responsible for the disastrous
developments Of the last hours, and to shun
me accordingly, and l had prepared myself
to play the part OF a martyr to duty as
sterniy and conscientiously 6s the circurn-
stances demanded. Her words, however.
indicated not only sympathy, but encour-
agement, mistaken confidence and a re-
lance which had in It a note of personal
appeal. In the JOY or the discovery could
arms as she stood smiling up at me.
Il never understood before what justif-
cation by faith meant. admitted. In =
low tone.
DO you newf