Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-23
CHAPTER XIV.
1T Was an Accident"

close the door of the study.
Who Is there?" she asked. who is it
| that wants me?"
A thin, unfamiliar voice answered her.
| rs that Lady Ruth Barrington?"
Yes
! rs it Mademoiselle Violet?"
The receiver nearly dropped from her
hand
| Il don't understand YOU" she answered
| Il am Lady Ruth Darlington, Who are
| YOU
| You are Mademoiselle Violet" was the
| answer, and you know who 1 am. Listen
| am in Mr.. Wingrave's rooms"
She would have liked to have rurg off
and gone away but it seemed a sheer
| lmposslbility for her to move! And all
| the time her knees were shaking and the
fear of evil things was in her heart
What are you doing there?' she asked
He brought me in himself the thin
voice answered Can you hear me?
don't want to speak any louder, FOR fear
| any one else should be listening
Yes, can hear" she answered. But
how dared you ring me up? Say what
you desire to quickly. 1 am going away"
Wait. please the voice answered Il
know why you have been angry with me
l know why you have kept away from
me, why you have been so cruel 1t was
because failed. Was it not, dear
Mademoiselle VioIet?'
She had not the breath or the courage
10 answer MIN. In a moment or two he
continued, and there was a note IF sup
pressed exultation in his tone
Listen! This time-I have not failed,'
She nearly screamed. The receiver in her
hand burned like live thing Her ewes
We're set TN a fixed and awful stare as
though she were trying to see for herself
outside the walls of the little room where
she stood. into the larger chamber from
which the voice-that awful voice-came!
Her own words were hysterical and uncer-
tain, but she managed to falter them out
at last
What do you mean? Where is Mr. Win
grave? Tell me at oncer'
The voice. without being raised, seemed
to take to itself note of triumph.
He Is dy1ng--on the fioor-just here, Lis
ten hard, Perhaps you can hear him
groaH! Now will You believe that am not
a coward?''
Her Shrek drowned his words. She flung
the receiver from her with crash and
rushed from the room into the hall. She
brushed past her maid with a wild gesture
Never mind my wraps Open the door.
Parkins! Is the carriage waiting?"
Yes, milady. Shall"
But she was past him and down the steps.
mo. 1S Grosvenor Mansions" she cried
to the man. Drive fast
The man obeyed. The servants. who had
come to the door, stood there a little fright
ened group. She ignored them and every
thing else completely. The carriage had
scarcely stopped when she sprang out and
crossed the pavement in few hasty steps.
The tall commiSSionatre looked in amaze
ment at her. She wore an opera cloak
she was a bewidering vision of white satin
and diamonds. and her eyes were terrible
i with the fear which was in her heart.
She ciutched him by the arm.
Come I'm with me- Mr. WinPraye's
rooms. she exclaimed Something terrible
has happened. I heard through the tele-
phone.
The man dashed UP the stairs by her
side. Wingrave's suite was on the first
floor. and they did not wait for the lift
The commissionaire put his finger on the
bell Of the outside door She leaned for
ward. listening breathlessly. Inside all was
silence. except for the shrill clamor OF the
bell.
Go on ringing" she said breathlessly.
Don't leave off,"
The man looked at her curiously. Mr.
Wingrave came In about an hour ago with
young man. madam" he said
Yes. yes she cried. Listen! There's
some ope coming.
They heard hesitating step inside. The
door was cautiously opened. 1t was Rich
ardson, pale. disheveied but triumphant,
who peered out.
Observation-Disclosures Violet" he
cried. You have come to for your
| self. This way
! she raised her arm and struck him across
| the face that, with little moan, he
staggered back against the wall. Then she
hastened forward into the room toward
! which he had pointed. and the door of
| which stood open. The commissionare fol-
| lowed her. The servants We're beginning
| to appear ''
| The room was in darkness. save for one
| electric light. A groan. however, directed
| them. She fell on her knees by Wingrave's
PROSTATE figure. and raised his head slight
| ly. His servant, too, was hurryfng forward.
| She looked up.
Get me some brandy" she ordered.
| Send some one for doctor. Don't let that
! young nran escape. The brandy, quick!'
She forced some between his lips. There
was already a spot OF blood upon the gown
| which. few minutes ago. had seemed SO
! immaculate. One the ornaments fell
| from her hair. 1t lay unnoticed by her
| side Suddenly Wipgrave opened his eyes.
She saw at once that he was conscious. and
| that he recognized her.
Don't move. please" she begged. 1T
| will be better for you not to speak. The
| doctor will be here directly.
He nodded.
| II don't think that 1 am much hurt" he
| said slowly Your young friend was a
I born bungler!'
| She shuddered but said nothing.
| How on earth" he asked. did you get
| here?"
She whispered in his ear
| The brute-telephoned. Please don't
| talk
| The doctor arrived His examination was
! over in a few moments.
| Nothing serious he declared. THE
knife was pretty blunt. fortunately. How
did it happen? 1t seems like case for the
police
1T was an accident" Wingrave declared
| coolly.
| The doctor shrugged his shoulders He
| was busy making bandages. Lady Ruth
| rose to her feet. She was white and giddy
| The commissionaire and Morrison were
/ talking together at the door. The latter
turned to Lady Ruth.
| DO YOU think we had better send for the
| police. your ladyshp?" he asked. 1T was
| the young man who came in with Mr. Win
grave who must have done this. thought
he was a very Withholding sort Of person.
You heard what Mr.. Wingrave said
she answered. II don't think that 1 should
dsobey him il / were you. The doctor say.
that after all II Is not very serious"
| HE can't have got. far" the hall porter
remarked. He only slipped out as We
| came in
''I should let him go for the present.
| Lady Ruth said. IF Mr.. Wingrave wishe:
to prosecute afterward 1t will be easy fol
him to do So"
She stepped back TO where Wingrave lay
He was in recumbent position now, anG