Evening star., 1907-09-04
CHAPTER XXI.
The Bolt From the Blue.

| Tne bolC From tho blu0.
| That afternoon I told Mrs. Randolph OF
my encounter with Courtney Lane. She
| was surprised, for she had not known he
had arrived in Camden.
II shall have to see him." she said.
Miss Marlborough came into the room
| while we were talking. She wore a goifing
suit OF gray and had Just returned from
| the links.
she announced with a frown Of displeasure.
Il met her awhile ago. and, of course, I
had to ask her to call"
They were acquainted with Mrs.
| Trencher! Mrs Randolph was undsturbed
by the announcement and by my quick
| scrutiny Of her face.
II knew she was here" she said serenely.
| 'Juiian has been telling me. He met Court
ney Lane awhile ago. She and Mr.. Lane
| are at the same hotel
why is It that unpleasant people always
| appear when they are not wanted?" said
Miss Marlborough Indignantly
| II suppose It's because. being never
| wanted. 1t is impossible for them to ap-
pear when they are wanted" was Mrs.
Randolph's irrefutable reply.
| Where did you know Mrs. Trencher?"
asked her as soon as found opportunity.
I'm New York two winters ago.
"She Is not In society-not In your circle.
I mean?'
mo. she was engaged in charity work.
| and Margaret and I were thrown in with
| her on a church commission. She was very
presuming and we didn't encourage her"
| ut seems to me she is very presuming
now"
That Mrs. Trencher was a very presumdng
| woman she proved when she came to me
on the street the next morning. I had sent
Jerome ahead of me to the post office. and
as he delayed unduly and I was anxious to
/ see the mail I walked on into the town.
Courtney Lane. Mrs. Trencher had been
| lying In wait for me In q little periodical
| store more than two blocks from the post
| offlce. and popped out on me with discon-
| certing suddenness.
| II was just thinking Of you," she said
| and did not doubt 1t.
| She wrfnkied her face in what she meant
| for honeyed SMILE. She was little
woman. middle-aged. alert aggressive, and
| behind the glasses. which she wore with q
| certain dignity, her black eyes snapped.
recalled how she had bounced the boys Of
that school about when she was angry. and
how at such times her black eyes opened
| until they showed circles OF white. But the
| eyes were benevolent now. almost motherly.
"Tve just been thinking Of you." she re-
peated. "and saying to myself that II 1t
wasn't 50 early In the day I'd call on you.
You lett Philadelphia SO suddenly. you
| know. that didn't get to have a talk with
| you before you went
'Confound Jeromer' I thought, as
| glanced along the street and failed to see
| him
Il think don't understand you." said.
giving her as blank a stare as could.
When you left the Gilbert Porter Insti-
| tute. you know" she explained blandiy.
Il fear. madam. that do not know what
you mean" declared. II have not been
| in Philadelphia recently" .
What"
She was SO amazed that the exclamation
| was shocked put of her. Her eyes opened
In nth the old way and began to shine.
IT pretend nothing. madam!" said, stifr-
ly. II am sure I don't know you. This
| must be an attempt at some confidence
game"
I glanced along the street again. Thank
heavens. Jerome was In sight.
"Ah. there comes my valet" said with
too evident relief You will please excuse
me- madam. and permit me to wish you a
very good morning."
left her gasping. as I lifted my hat to
her and hurried toward Jerome. who had a
sheaf Of letters in his hands. took the
letters and looked at the addresses. While
doing 1t we passed Mrs. Trencher, who had
not yet regained her ability to speak But
I caught the foreboding bleam OF her black
eyes.
That afternoon she called at the Poplars
with Courtney Lane. I was out in the
auto-car. Jerome told me about It as soon
as returned and ran the car into the gar
pinkish flush which I had noted whenever
he was moved or excited-a flush that gave
him. what he lacked. almost the "beef and
Drawn" color Of your typical Englishman.
THAT ID scoundrel from New
York" he began; II beg your pardon,
sir. mean Mr.. Lane! He is in town, sir,
and was up here this afternoon"
Jeromes manner was so explosive that
had the subject and the circumstances not
been so serious or so personal could have
laughed. He had the indignant air Of a
| man who feels that he is being wrongfully
mistake in leaving the house that day Still
what had to fear?
He was receivedr' 1 said. and I ap-
peared to take the matter quite calmly.
Yes, sir. There was a woman with him.
a little woman. with black. gimlet eyes,
| and dressed like a twisted fashion plate'
1t was the best possible description Of
Mrs. Trencher.
"They remained longT'
"At least an hour. SIR"
I began to get out Of the automobile.
What time was this. Jerome?"
as II he feared he might be considered a
talebearer. And when they were gone
| Mrs. Randolph went down town"
Why he thought 1t worth while to speak
Of that was not apparent. Perhaps. like
| me. his anxieties were making him unduly
suspicious. The only surprising thing to
| me was that Mrs. Randolph should have re-
ceived Courtney Lane.
swearing softly to himself. apparently more
uneasy than 1 was. Mrs. Randolph heard
me enter the house. and appeared before
me in the large hall as 1 was about to
mount the stairs Her face was SO white
that 1t startled me. and when she spoke
her voice was SO strained and unnatural
! that 1t sounded like the voice of another
| She was in a dark-brown street dress and
| its color emphasized the corpselike pallor
| of her face.
IT should like to see you a minute" she
said
She moved toward the door Of the recep-
| tion room. I followed. my heart knocking
unpleasantly against my ribs. She stood
by the door as I entered and then she
closed it omlnously. What she intended to
say was for my ears alone
"Mr. Lane has been here with Mrs.
Trencher. and have been down to their
hotel
She stood before me. her blue eyes big
! and bright. her voice strange and hard.
'Yes?" 1 said helplessly. wondering what
was coming
II heard Mrs. Trenchers story and saw
| the proofs she has. particularly a group
photograph taken q few weeks ago. she as
sured me. That photograph shows you in
| classroom with students. On the wall Is
| O. banner, The Gilbert Porter Institute
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