Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09

How can you expect e comparative stran-
ger TO believe in mef
She went to the hall with him, and Just
as he opened the door asked him * he
were going to Mrs. Burton's dancing
party Thursday night. He had not meant
to go, but he answered: Certainly, if
you are"
II wish you would. You never go any
where that I do any more, and people
think It's queer.
All right Suppose you go with me In
my car"
Il promised Jack this afternoon" she
said. family.
very well. See you Thursday. then"
And he was gone.
to the party alone in his big car After
he had greeted his hostess he looked
around for Josephine and found she was
with Redmond. All in shfmmering white,
with her mothers old pearls on her throat
and In her hair, she looked like bride,
and Bert hung around in sight waiting
for her eyes to summon him. But he no
tieed that Redmond talked incessantly
and gave her no time to consider. Pres
emily they went out into the dancing
room, and Berts face hardened, Tor ne
knew just how well Jack could dance and
how Josephine loved 1t. He just looked
about, and, seeing Alice Dane just coming
in, asked her to dance and took her to the
ball room.
Josephine danced three dances in sue
cession with Redmond and then they
went out onto the lawn. Jack strolled out
after them. and, lighting a cigar. went
into a little vtne-covered nook OF the
piazza to think.
He was sure Redmond was up to some-
thing In g. few minutes he saw Joseph
inc and Redmond come back into the cir
Gle of light from the darkness OF the
garden They paused just pelow Ihe pa
been crying and that her companion was
pleading with her.
You can't go back in this way" Bert
heard him say Your face is flushed and
your eyes show the tears yet. Come for
a little spin in my auto. No one Will miss
us Well just slide down the river road
and be right back. 1t will clear your
brain"
TT will also settle your hash" muttered
Bert He saw Josephine step back into
the shadow and Redmond go into the
house for her cloak. Leaping over the
railing, Bert disentangled his car from
the score of others and ran it cautiously
down the driveway. Then once reaching
the goal he put 1t at full speed and did
not pull up TIL he had reached the darkest
stretch of road on the river drive.
Pulling up, he got out, drew something
from the tonneau and put 1t over his face.
and, taking big revolver In each hand'
waited with what patience he could mus
ter It was some time before he heard the
faint chug- chug of Redmonds big white
car. When the machine appeared In
stretch of moonlit road he saw that, as
he had expected, it was going at the low
est possible speed Redmond was leaning
toward Josephine and talking earnestly
Looks as IL he were trying to clear her
brain" muttered Bert.
Josephine was shrinking away from hlfn'
plainly but in a moment he had thrown
both arms around her. She screamed IN
a panic of fear
That was Bert's cue. AS the car came
up he stepped out and before Redmond
had seen him at all had damned down the
lever and stopped the auto. Then he pre-
sented a revolver al an uncomfortably
small distance from Redmond's lace ana
yelled: Hands up!'
Redmond with one glance into the barrel
of the revolver not only threw UP his hands,
but fell to his knees on the floor
Don't shoot! Don't shootf' he whined-
She's got enough pearls to make you
rich"'
At that Bert smiled grimly and then tore
off his mask.
Redmonds mouth fell open in his sur
prise, and though they were in the fun
moonlight there was nothing romantic
about his appearance
Josephine gave sob of relief and leaned
back weakly. She had been glad to have
robber interfere when he did. but that
the robber should be Bert was almost too
good to be true. Then she watched Bert
drag Redmond from the car, shaking him
he would a small boy. Then he placed
his revolver on the seat beside her, took
something else from his pocket and dragged
the protesting captive into the fringe OF
woods along the road.
reached her ears with no feeling Of pity.
IF I should tell Bert what he said he'd
kill him. she thought.
1t seemed a long time before they reap
peared, Bert still holding Redmond by the
coat collar. The fellow was cringing ana
covering and when they reached the car
fell to his knees in the dust and clasped
his hands as if in prayer.
Now, say your lesson" admonished the
teacher, and he said 1t with fervor. Stand
ing there above him, with the whip lash
resting on his shoulder Bert made him
tell as much of the truth as he wanted
finished he fell on his face in the dust, and
Bert reaching over him, held out his arms
to Josephine and lifted her from Red
monds car. He carried her to his own
and then came back to give Redmond a
parting word of advice and warning. Then
he Tearranged his necktie, brushed his
clothes and returned, with no sign OF dis
order to Josephine
Silently he turned the car and started
slowly back. Neither spoke TIL Josephine,
with a weak little sob, fell over against
his shoulder and then he put arm
around her
Don't cry, dear. had to do it to show
you what coward he was, and then l
thought he'd better make the showdown
q complete one. 1 knew you'd believe him
If he told you"
"Why didn't you tell me?" she moaned.
How can you and uncle ever forgive me?'
10, both of US love you too much not
" IOTSlNS you any lHih3 on edrtN. any
way, we planned this We wanted to let
that fellow show himself off and I've wait
ed and waited for this chance. 10, don't
you think | could love you If I am your
third cousin?'
Josephine laughed and cried at the came
time: but when she could speak she said:
II suppose you throw that up at me
all my life, and l deserve it too richly to
say a word. But, oh, Bert'-she sat up
very straight so afraid you'd get
engaged 10 that cat of an Alice Dane be-
fore l could make you open your eyes.
All these months you've been blind as a
batt"