Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Return o. Marian Devereux.

sister Theresa has left. sir"
Bates had been into Annandale to
mail some letters. and was staring
out upon the park from the library
window when he entered. Stoddsrd
having kept watch the night before
was az home asleep and Larry was
on somewhere in the house treasure
hunting. 7 was feeling decidedly dis
couragec over our failure C. make any
progress with our investigation and
Bates news did not interest me
Well what of it2" I demanded
without turning round
Nothing. sir. but Miss Deyereux
has come back"
The dewitt"
turned and took a step toward the
door.
Il said Miss Devereux." he repeated
In dignihed rebuke. she came uu
this morning and the Sister left al
once for Chicago. Sister Theresa de-
ponds particularly upon Miss Dever-
euX.-so I've heard. sir. Miss Devereux
quite takes charge when the Sister
goes away"
You seem fun OF information" I re
marked. taking another step toward
my hat and coat
sir"
"Weli7-
They all came together. SIR"
Who came; viii you tell nae that7~
Why. the people whove been t-av-
cling with Nr Pickering came back
with him. and Miss Deyereux came
with them from Cincinnati That's
what ] learned in the village. And Mr..
Pickering is coins 90 stay
Pickering stay"
AT q cottace across the lake for a
while The reason is that he's worn
out with his work. and wishes quiet.
The other people went back 10 New
York in the car"
He's opened his summer COTTAGE for
January. has he?"
1T does seem the least bit odd. sir"
replied Bates. moving away.
/ had been blue enoueh without this
news. Marian Dcvoreux had come
back 90 Annaudale with Arthur Picker
ing; my faith IN her snapped like a
reed at this astounding news. Being
now entitled 90 nay craudfather'5 prom
erty she was losing no time in return
Ing. She and Pickering had discussed
together at the Armstrong; my flight
from Annandalc. and her return could
have no other meaning than that there
was strong tie between them. and
that he was now 90 stay on the ground
until 7 should De dIspossossed and her
rights established She had dared me
20 follow her. and my forfeiture had
been sealed by that stolen interview
at the Armstrong;. 10 was a black rec
ord, and the thought Of 10 augered me
against myself and The world
Tell Mr.. Donovan that I've gone TO
81. AEatha's.' I said and was soon
striding toward the school.
Sister admitted me. Somewhere .
IN the building a music lesson was in
progress. and consigned the inventor
OF pianos 90 hideous torment as scales
were pursued cndlessly up and down
the keys Two girls passing through
the hall made q pretcxt OF looking Tor
book and came in and exclaimed
over their inability 90 find il with
much suppressed gigghng that added
further 20 my rage.
The plano pounding continued and
waited for what seemed an inter
minable time. 10 was growing dark
and maid brought lamps. I took a
book from the table. liz was THE Life
OF Benvenuto Celhni" and Marian Dew
ereuU was written on the fly leaf by
unmistakably the same hand that had
penned the apology for Olivia's per
formances. I saw I'm the clear. flowing
lines Of the signature in their lack OF
supernuity, her own ease, grace and
charm; and. in the deeper stroke with
which the *" was crossed. I felt a
challenge, a readiness 10 abide BY con.
sequences once her word was given
Then my own inclination 20 think wen
Of her angered me. and 7 dropped the
book impatiently as she crossed the
threshold
i am sorry 10 have kept you walt.
ing. Mr.. Glenarm. But this is my busy
hour"
Il shall not detain you long. I came"
Il hesitated. not knowing why 1 had
come.
She took a chair near the open door
and bent forward with an air of atten-
ton that was disquieting. She wore
black-perhaps to fit her the better
into the house OF a somber Slsterhood.
I seemed suddenly 10 remember her
from time long gone. and the effort
Of memory threw me on guard. Stod-
dard had said there were several
Olivia Armstrong;; there were GER
tainly many Marian Devereuxs. The
silence grew intoierable; she was wait
ing for me 20 speak. and / blurted:
Il suppose you have come to take
charge OF the property"
DO your" she asked.
And you came back with the execu-
tor TO facilitate matters. I'm glad to
see that you lose no time"
oh" she said lingeringly as though
she were finding with difficulty the
note IN which / wished to pitch tho
conversation. Her calmness was mad
dening.
I suppose you thought It unwise to
wait for the bluebird when you had be-
Euiled me into breaking q promise.
when I was trapped, defeated, -"