Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15

sconced inside and said something about
her regret at having subjected me to such
Inconvenience, but did not offer to make
room for me In the body of the coach,
though there was room enough II the other
had been the quiet lady she was herself.
But she was not, and possibly this was
Mrs Ransoms excuse for her apparent
lack of consideration for me. Before we
reached the point where the lane cuts In,
l became aware Of some disturbance behind
me, and when we really got there, heard
first the coach door opening. then your
wife's voice, raised in entreaty to the
driver, calling on him to stop before her
sister jumped out and hurt herself. She is
deaf and very wild was all the explanation
she gave after Miss Hazen had leaped into
the wet road and darted from sight into
what looked to me. in the darkness, like
tangled mass of bushes. Then she said
something about her having had hard work
to keep her still till we got this far; but
that she was sure she would find her way
to the hotel, and that We mustn't bother
ourselves about it, for she wasn't going to;
Anitra and she had run this road too many
times when they were children. That is all
l have to tell Of my intercourse with these
ladies prior to our appearance at the hotel.
1 think it right for me to clear the slate,
Ransom. Who knows what we may wish
to write upon it next?"
A slight ShiVer on RanSOm'S part was the
sole answer he gave to this innuendO; then
both settled themselves to work, the eyes
of either flashing hither and thither from
one small OBJECT TO announcer III InlS seeming
ly deserted room. In the momentary ST.
lence which followed, the even breathing
of the woman in the adjoining room could
be distinctly heard 1t seemed to affect Mr..
Ransom deeply, though he strove hard to
maintain the business-like attitude he had
assumed from the beginning of this un-
official examination
she has confided nothing more to you
since your return from the river bank ~
suggested the lawyer
No
The word came sharply, considering Mr..
Ransom's usual manner. The lawyer
showed surprise, but no resentment, and
turned his attention to the bag both had
noted lying open on two chairs.
Nothing equivocal here" he declared,
after moments careful scrutiny of it's re-
manning contents. 1.-The only comment
should make in regard to what find here
is that all the articles are less carefully
chosen than you would expect from one of
your wife's fondness for fine appointments.
'.They were collected in a hurry and pos
sbly by telephone returned the unhappy
husband. after a shrinking glance into the
bag. 1.-The ones she provided in anticipa-
ton of her wedding are at the Hotel in New
York In the trunks and bags there you
will find articles as elegant as you could
wish" Here he turned to the dresser and
pointed to the various objects grouped
upon it,
These show that she arranged herself
with care for her meeting with you last
night. How did she appear at that inter-
view! natural!
Hardly; she was much too excited But
I had no suspicion of what she was cher
ishing in her mind. thought her inten-
lions whimsical, and endeayored to edge
In little advice. but she was in no mood
to receive it. Her mind was too full of
what she intended to do.
Here's where she ate her supper" he
added, picking up a morsel Of crust from
table set against the wall. "And SO this
door was found fastened on this sde?" he
proceeded, laying his hand on the broken
lock.
TT had to be burst open. you see"
was up. The carpet, as you can tell by
look and feeling. is still wet with the soak
ing it got"
Mr.. Harper's air changed to one of re-
luctant conviction.
wife having left this room and the house
in the remarkable manned stated by Miss
Hazen. Yet
This yet showed that he was not as thor
oughly convinced as the first phrase would
show. But he added nothing to It, only
breathing of the sleeper on the other side
Of this loosely hanging door.
AS he did 50 his eye encountered the hot,
dry gaze Of Mr.. Ransom, fixed upon him in
| a suspense too cruel to prolong, and with q
sudden change of manner he moved from
way out:
LET us have word or two in your own
room. 1t Is principle of mine not to
trust even the ears Of the deaf with what
1t Is desirable to keep secret.
Had the glance with which he said this
fingered moment longer on his COM
panions face. he would undoubtedly have
been startled at the effect Of his own
words. But being at heart compassion
ate man, or possibly understanding his