Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
CHAPTER XIV.
Ar;fro

"a cussing this amazing possibility.
IA II have no reason for this con-
clusion-this nope" admitted Mr..
Ransom 1T is instinct with me-
an intuition. and not the result OF my Juoe-
ment II came to me when she first ao-
dressed me down by the mill stream. IL
YOU consider me either wrong or mlsieu'
confess that l shall not be able to combat
your decision with any argument plauslole
enough to hold your attention for a
moment
But 1 don't consider you either wrong or
misled" protested the other. That is ne
? warily added, II am ready to accept the
correctness of the possibility you mention
and afterward to note where the SUPPOSE
ton will lead us. OF course, your first SEN
sation is that of relief
1T will be when | am no longer the prey
of doubts"
Notwithstanding the mystery"
Notwithstanding the mystery. Inc one
thing | have found it impossible to contem-
plate is her death-the extinction OF all
hope which death alone can bring. She has
become so blended with my every thought
since the hour she vanished from my eyes
and consequently from my protection that
l should lose the better part of myself In
losing her. Anything but that, Mr. Har-
per"
Even possible shame?'
How, shame?'
Some reason very strong and very vital
must underlie her conduct If what we sus-
pect is true, and she has not only been WILL
ing to subject you and herself to seeming
separation by death, but to burden herself
with the additional misery of being Obliged
to assume a personality numbered by sueh a
drawback to happiness and even common
social intercourse as this of the supposed
Anitra."
''You mean her deafness?'
81 mean that, yes. What could Mrs Kan
SONS motive be dt the woman sleeping
yonder is Mrs. Ransom) for so tremendous
a sacrifice as this you ascribe to her! Inc
rescue of her sister from some impending
calamity? That would argue love or long
standing and of superhuman force; one iar
transcending even her natural affection Tor
the husband to whom she has just given
her hand. Such a love under such cir
cumstances is not possible. She has known
this long lost sister for few days only.
Her sense of duty toward her, even her
compassion for one so unfortunate, might
lead her to risk much, but not so much as
that. You must look for some other eX-
planation one more reasonable ana mucn
more personal. IA.
Where? where? I'm all at sea- blinded.
daZed almost at my wits end l can see
no reason for anything she has done.
neither understand her nor understand
myself. 1 ought to shrink from the poor
creature there, sleeping off don't know
what. But L don't. l feel drawn to her,
instead, irresistibily drawn, as if my place
tect.''
At this impulsive assertion springing from
a deph of feeling for which the sta1d law
yer had measure, perpleXed froWn
chased all the urbanity from his face. Some
thought, not altogether welcome, had come
to disturb him. He eyed Mr.. Ransom
closely from under his clouded brows. He
could do this now with impunity, for Mr..
Ransoms glances were turned whittier his
thoughts and inclinations had wandered.
Il would advise YOU, came in slow COM
ment from the watchful lawyer, mot to be
too certain of your conclusions till doubt
becomes an absolute impossibility. In
stinct is a good thing, but it must never be
regarded as infallible 1t may be proved
that it is your wife who has fled, after ALL
In which case il would be a great mistake
to put any faith in this gypsy girl Anitra."
Mr. Ransorn's face hardened; his eyes did
not leave the direction in which they were
set
II -yill remember" said he.
His companion did not appear satisfied,
and continued emphatically:
Whether the woman now here is Mrs.
Ransom or her wild and irresponsible sister,
she is a person of dangerous Will and one
not to be lightly regarded nor carelessly
dealt with. Pray 0nnsid~~ this, Mr.. Ran
som, and do not allow impulse to supersede
Judgment. f you will take my advice"
Speak
Il should treat her as If she were the
woman she Calls >rself, or, at least as If
you thought her so. Nothing" this word
he repeated as he noted the incerdulity with
which the other hstened-'would be so
likely to make her betray herself as that"
Let us go back and listen again at her
door" was Mr.. Ransom's emphatic but in
consequent reply.
The lawyer desisted from further advice,