Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-01

slowly. "Why did she go to that place at all?' :. God only knowsw Andrew mur- mured.
 Duncombe's teeth were hard set. A paper knife which he had caught up from the table snapped in his fingers. There was something in his throat which nearly choked him.
 Phyllis Poynton," Andrew contin- ued, twas as sweet and pure woman as ever breathed. She must have loathed that place. She could only have gone there to seek for her brother or'-
 ''Or for whom?"
 "For those who knew where he was" Duncombe turned his head.
 "Andreww
 "Yes, old chap!
 Let me look at her photograph again"
 Andrew drew it from his pocket and passed it over. Duncombe studied 1t for several moments under the lamp light.
 You are right, Andrew" he said slowly. For her tl1 other tnings would not be possible. wonder
 His fingers clung to the photograph. He looked across at his friend. There was slight flush in his face. He spoke nervously.
 Andrew" he said, I'm afraid 1t sounds bit brutal, but-this photo graph is no use to you just now. is it, until your eyes get better. Will you lend it to mel?
 T coaldn't," Andrew answered quiet ly. T can't see it now, of course, but like to feel it in my pocket, and it will be the first thing shall look at when the doctor lets me take off these beast ly glasses-if ever he does. Until then well, like to feel I've got it. That's allr'
 They both smoked furiously for sev- eral moments without looking at one another. Duncombe spoke first.
 "Andrew"' -ss-> F,.s - e-
 "Well.'' -..-,- ,
 If she comes back. shall you ever ask her to marry you!"
 T don't know, George. I'm poor. and I'm twelve years older than she is. I don't know"
 There was another silence. Then the conversation drifted back once more to the one subject which was monopoliz- ing the thoughts of both of them. T tell you what seems to me to be the most extraordinary part of the whole business" Duncombe said. First, the brother disappears. Then, without a word to any one, the sister also rushes of to Paris and vanishes from the face of the earth after se- ries of extraordinary proceedings. One supposes naturally that if they have come to harm anywhere-if there has been a crime-there must have been a motive. What is 1t? You say that their banking account has been undis- turbed"
 Tt was last week. should hear if any checks were presented"
 And the boys letter of credit even has never been drawn uponT
 No; not since he left Vienna"
 Then the motive cannot be robbery. Thank heaven" Duncombe added, with a little shudder, that it was the boy. who went first" Es
 "Don't!'
 A great winged insect came buzzing Into the room. Duncombe struck vic iously at 1t with the palm of his hand.
 Lord" he muttered. what fool am. I've never been away from home before, Andrew, without longing to get back, and here I am just back from Paris in August, from turning night into day. from living just the sort of life I hate, and I'd give anything to be going back there tomorrow. I'm a haunted man, Andrew. I got up last night simply because couldn't sleep and walked down as far as the pad dock. I seemed to see her face in all the shadowy corners. to see her nov ing toward me from among the trees. And I'm not an imaginative person, Andrew. and I've got no nerves. | LOOk.''
 He held out his hand, strong and firm and brown. It was as steady as a rock.
 Il can't sleep" he continued. T can't rest. Is there witchcraft in this thing, AndrewT'
 Andrew Pelham laughed shortly. I; was laugh which had no kinship to mirth.
 And l." he said, have seen her grow up. We were boy and girl to gether. I stole apples for her. have watched her grow from girihoOd into womanhOod. I have known flesh and blood, and you a cardboard image. | too. am a strong man. and am help less. I lie awake at night and tbink. It is as though the red flame: | of hell were curling up around me George. if she has come 10 any evil whether am blind O. whether I car see. I'll grope ny way from country t' country till my hand ;s upon the throa of the beast who has harmed her"
 The mans voice shook with passion Duncombe was awed into silence H. had known Andrew Pelham always ai a good nstured. good hearted giant be loved of children and animals. deepi! religious. a man whose temper. if b possessed such a thing. was alway strictly fs-fer co-t-oI Such an out burst as this was a revelation Dun combe understood then how slight : thing his own Hfering was
 You shah not % alone. Andrew. he said softly. but for the present VI must wait If any one can help u' Spencer wiIl-
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