The San Francisco call., 1907-02-24

were always brought up very particu-
lar-especialiy about telling the truth"
well. you haven't said anything that
wasn't the truth ! reminded her.
ION. I don't know. I haven't said
what I ought to say" she declared. 1T
seems all right when you are with me.
and talk about it., she continued slow
". raising her eyes to mine. Its when
don't see you for weeks and weeks
that it.seems to get on my mind. and
get afraid. I don't understand 1t,
don't understand IL even now"
Don't understand what?" l repeated.
She looked around Her air OF troU-
bled mystery was only half assumed.
How that man diedr she whispered.
Il can assure you that / did not kill
him, If that is what you mean" I told
her coolly. "The matter is over and
done with. I think that you are very
foolish to give il another thought"
She shuddered
Men can forget those things easier"
she said. Perhaps he had wife and
children. Perhaps they are wondering
all this time what has become Of him.
People die away from their homes
and families every day, every hour" I
answered. 1T is only morbid to brood
over one particular example"
Father would never forgive me Il
he knew" she murn1ured, frrelevant1y.
He hates to have US do anything un-
derhand."
I heard Grooton return with a sigh OF
relief
You viii have some tea?" I sug-
gested.
She shook her head and stood up. I
did not press her.
"No. I Won't she said II am sorry
! came. / don't understand you. Mr..
Ducaine. You seem to have changed
altogether just these last few weeks.
4l,af <1xrf-, a
of me now, but you were glad enough
to see me, or at any rate you pretended
to be, once"
My breath was a little taken away.
/ looked at her In surprise. Her cheeks
were flushed. her voice had shaken
with something more like anger than
any form of pathos. I was at a loss
how to answer her, and whiie I hesi-
tated the interruption which 1 had been
praying for came. though from a
strange quarter, My door was pushed
few inches open and I heard Lady
Angela's clear young voice
Are you there, Mr.. Ducaine? May I
come in?'
Before 1 could answer she stood upon
che threshold. / saw the delightful lit
tie smile fade from her lips as she
looked in. She hesitated, and seemed
for moment about to retreat.
Please come In, Lady Angela" I
begged, eagerly.
She came slowly forward
Il must apologize for my abominable
country manners" she said, resting the
tips OF her fingers for moment In
mine. x saw your door was not latch
ed and it never occurred to me to
knock
1T was not necessary" assured her.
front door which does not boast a
knocker or bell must expect to be taken
liberties with But 1t IS a great sur
prise to see you here. had no idea
that any one was at Rowchester. or
expected there, except Lord B1enavon.
Has the Duke returned?"
She shook her head.
Il came down alone" she answered.
II found London dull Let me see. I
am sure that ] know your fac4, do I
not?' she added turning to Blanche
Moyat with smile. You live in
Braster, SURELY
Il am Miss Moyat," Blanche answered
|. quietly.
''of course. Dear me! ought to
have recognized you. We have been
neighbors for good many years."
Il will wish you good afternoon, Mr.
Ducaine.'' Blanche said, turning to me-
Good afternoon-your Ladyship," she
added a little awkwardly
l opened the door for her.
, II will come down and see your
father the first evening. I have to
spare" I said. II hope you will tell
him from me that l should have been
before but for the luxury of having
some work to do"
II will tell him.. she said almost In
audibly.
And thank you very much for COM
ing to inquire after me-, I added. Good
afternoon.
Good afternoon. Mr. Ducaine."
closed the door. Lady Angela was
loungfng in my easy chair with slight
: smile upon her lips.
Two lady callers in one afternoon.
Mr.. Ducaine," she remarked quietly
You Will lose your head am afraid .
L can assure you, Lady Angela" I
answered. that there is not the slight
est fear of such catastrophe"
She sat looking meditatively into the
, hre, swinging her dogs4.In gloves in
her hands. She wore a plain pearl gray
walking dress and deerstalker hat with
single quill in it. The severe but i'm
J maculate simplicity OF her toilette
might have been designed to accentuate
the barbarities of Blanche Moyat' >
cheap finery.
, Il understood that you would be in
!, town for at least three weeks" I re-
/ marked. Il trust that his Grace is
we'll"
II trust that he is" she answered.
Il see nothing OF him IN London He
) has company meetings and political
work every moment OF his time. I do
) not believe that there is any one who
works harder"
He has. at least I remarked, "the
compensation of success"
: You are wondering. suppose she
, said, looking up at me quickly, what
) has brought me back again so soon"
t Il certainly did not expect you," /
| admitted.
She rose abruptly.
Come outside she said, "and I will
show you Bring your hat"
: We passed into the March twilight.
) She led the way down the cliff and to-
. ward the great silent stretch of salt
t marshes An evening wind. sharp with
r brine, was blowing in from the ocean.
> stirring the surface of the long creeks
into silent ripples, and bending land
; ward the thin streaks of white smoke
{ rising among the red-tiled roofs of
the village. / felt the delicate sting of
t it upon my cheeks. Lady Angela half
l closed her eyes as she turned her face
seaward.
f.on,o aba