The Washington times., 1907-09-29

i heard steps on the veranda outside,
and thinking, maybe, 4 was some one
to see the girls. although when I
thought for a moment / knew that II
WAS Ear too late for that
The hall vas dark-really dark.
you know. And In q minute I heard
the steps again. II scared me just a
little. for I had heard no knock. and
knew that my uncle was not greatly
liked, and I had been reading of
man who had quarreled with a neigh
Dor and the neighbor walked upon
the voranda, and when the man came
out in answer to a call he shot him.
down In cold blood.
Just then. however. I heard my
uncle.s voice at the head or the stairs.
lie called rs that your and nobody
answered
'"rhe folks in the parlor did not
hear him, nor did the person waiting
outside. And I had such a horror OF
being IN The way that I drew back In
the shadows and kept as quiet as
could.
My uncle did not repeat his in
quiry. He came on downstairs a little
slowly-not q bit, though, as II no ex-
peoted anybody or cared for being
overheard. I did not speak, ana al
though he passed within reach OF my
hand. he aid not see me-
II did not hear any other sound
from outside and TIE hall door was
shut. 1 do not think that anybody
knocked. My uncle waited at the foot
OF the stairs for Just the barest sec
ond, and then he crossed to the par
Tor door and laid a hand upon the
latch.
He listened for a minute CRosa-
mond was singing inside the room,
but ne did not open the door.
He had turned. think, maybe. to
go upstairs again. when 1 heard-and
/ guess that he must have heard II,
It sounded just Ike the scraping Of q
foot along the boards. My uncle hur-
ried across TO the front door and
opened it-tust little
Is that your I heard him ask.
but / could not catch the answer.
He opened the door a little wider.
There was no moon. but The night
was clear. and there were a great
many stars. 1 think that II was
little lighter outside than inside the
hall"
Annerly was beginning to be inter
ested. If what this child was telling
was the truth. some one else must
have seen Major Fairfax after Jefter-
son had left him preparing for bed.
And this other
Il peeped through the door from
behind my uncle's shoulder and raw
that some one-a man-was standing
on the veranda. He was tall and
had a cloak or something wrapped
about him My uncle said, rs that
your
''The n1an-you see, 1 am taking II
for granted that II was a man, al
though 1t could just as well have been
a woman with a mans coat on-sald
something in a low voice. I thought
that he said that it was. and that he
was ate. He spoke as II he was
dreadfully afraid that some one would
hear him
My uncle said again. Is that you?
What in the devil has happened to
your tongue?
This time the person spoke a little
louder.
" I thought that you might rather
that my visit was made on the sly
he said. / didn't think that you
cared to have the whole family see
me-
well, what have you done?' asked
my uncle. was IT telling me the
truth. ehg
The man began or n long rambling
story Of expense and trouble for moth
sr-- -
That viii cone In on the expense
account he said eoo:ly, ard 1 don't
care about going over It twice He
laughed in a nasty little way that
must have made the other furious.
There IS not much danger that you
VIII forget any Of the items. he
added.
Il didn't catch the mans answer to
this. He said something and my uncle
laughed again, and then I heard the
sound OF a door opening and closing
upstairs.
f." That is not the question my I'M
Gle said at last in q hard, stin voice.
The question as I see It is: Was the
woman lying TO INC or was she not?
Yes or MOP
L think that the man wanted TO
evade the question Dat was afraid to-
She was apparently telling the truth,
he said at last.
My uncle swore a little then, which
surprised me. He WAS net a religious
man. but 1 had heard aim say that
swearing wast a senseless thing at
best, although ] mad heard him use
an oath-at times. Where Is she?'
he said at last.
Again I thought that the other
man hesitated a little. I will tell you
tomorrow, he said. Tt is a long story.
/ only came by tonight to .en YOU
that 1 had not failed
My uncle was furious. You
viii say what you have TO say
here and now ne said when he
was able to control himself. You
are paid to do my dirty work.
sir-dO you understand?-not to die
tate 10 me nor to offer advice which
1 neither ask nor want. i ask Won
again where did you find-what Won
were sent 20 seek?
At Quivering Bayou. sir. several
miles down the Terre Rouge
'Quivering Bayou said NV uncle
musinEly. have heard OF the place