Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
XV-Continued.


of the park In the distance she
could see the spire of the village
church, and beyond that the slope
Of rreat mountain. Near the foot of the
slo,e she saw a few white tents and small
black figures that moved to and fro.
She turned away from the window and
rang the bell. 1t was answered by her
own maid. who was the only servant
nermitted to enter the boudoir.
rs Father Francis in the village
Haines?"
"Does lie live in those tents over
there?"
Have YOU been to any of his meet
ings?"
NO mazda m--not yet. but i was thlhk-
ing tonis'ht-if it stays fine
You're not to GO and please tell Mr.
Morgan. the steward. to give orders that
no one in this house is to go to any OF
the meetings"
YES. madam"
Eff l hear of any one disobeying my
order shall dismiss them at once
Yes. madam"
The maid left the room. but before she
footman and there were few whispered
words between them. She returned into
the room.
IF you please, madam" she said tim
idly. hes come to see you himself.
HEP" queried Mrs. Lampirthy, sharp
ly. Who do you mean?'
This Father Francis. madam. he is
waiting downstairs to see you
Tell the men to whip him OF the
premises" said Mrs. Lampirthy Then
although she ivp0
in feudal castle. she was amenaDie u
the laws of civilization.
II mean she continued. as the maid
stared blankly. in response to TINS , Pc
culiar order, tell him l cannot see MIN.
/ am busy-engaged
In two or three minutes the girl re-
turned and handed Mrs. Lampirthy a
note.
AS she read it she frowned.
Tell the man 1 will see him." she said,
abruptly. sin the library"
Mrs Lampirthy greeted her visitor with
a slight bow. and the expression on her
face was one that did not promise Wei
for the success of any interview. 1t was
distinctly hostile.
I'm afraid I've taken liberty" he
said. quickly. but this is matter OF life
and death One of my comrades Is very
ill., There is no doctor within hfteen
miles of this place. If you would lend
me one Of your motor cars it might save
mans life."
Mrs. Lampirthy hesitated. She had
every reason to hate the man who was.
as she thought, robbing her husband of
his money. II some one else had come
to her for car to save the life Of Father
Francis. she would have replied with the
ready excuse OF all motorists, that her
motor cars were out Of order But this
request was another matter. The favor
was asked for a stranger-possibly dupe
of the charlatan who stood before her.
And though the woman was VAIN world
ly and shallow, she was capable OF wom-
anly pity. ;.
WHO is the MANI she asked els it
any one from this neighborhood?
mo. His name is Harry Brandon. He
is London man. He is dying. III you
grant me this favor he may be saved. l
am sure Mr.. Lampirthy would wish 1t.
At the mention of her husbands name
Mrs. Lampirthy stifened into an atti-
tude of defiance The mans words
"Mr. Lampirthy leaves the manage
ment of this house to me-" she replied.
coldly. Our motor cars have all been
going wrong lately: L
You only came back on one this after
noon" he said. Surely that one
II should like to oblige you" she be-
gan. in the tone Of one who is casting
about for some excuse.
Surely you do not understand" he
broke in fierceiy. This man Is dying:
on one of your motor cars we might be
able to fetch doctor and be back here
in little over an hour Every minute Is
of value. While I stand here talking to
you the man is dying. Don't you UNDER
stand?"
Mrs. J.ampirthy was as unwarmed by
his words as an iceberg In the glare OF
the sun. She was thinking of the fool
hardy and ridiculous enterprise into
which her husband had been dragged by
this man.
Pm sorry 1 can't oblige YOU" she said,
coldly. but our cars
eff Mr. Lampirthy were to know OF
this he muttered-"if only Mr.. Lam
pirthy were to know of this.
He could not have spoken any WORDS
more calculated to harden the heart OF
this woman. His request might have
been granted at once but for his first
mention of the millionaire. This last ref
erence to Mr.. Lampirthy was fatal.
II am sorry she said. with smile,
"but these motor cars-after all, l think
il is best to rely on horses.
The mans eyes blazed with fury and
wild words rose to his lips.
But before he could utter them the
door opened and sibyl peered through
the opening.
Mother" she began but Mrs. Lam
pirthy's face was not an encouragement
to proceed.
Go out of the room at once. sibyl,"
she exclaimed. Cant you see I'm en-
the door with a bang.
Father Francis stood motionless. The
entrance of the child had recalled the
picture at Gaunt Royal and buried in
cident in the past. He scrutiniZed the
face Of the woman who was going to let
a man die to crafty her pique or some
crooked within of her worldly mind. In
an instant he resolved to loose his bow
at venture. The arrow might reach
his own heart. But there was no time to
think of self A man was dying sand
this woman could save him.
II once knew man." he said. In
low voice whose heart was as pitiless
as yours. But God punished him and
brought him to the dust. as He will
bring YOU to the dust one day. The
name Of this man was Henry Rankin
He paused and watched the effect OF
trayednherself
Henry Rankin" she said, quickly 81
don't know him. Why do you mention
his name? What are you talking about?
II did not say that you knew him-bu,
am not going to waste time I'm talking
10 YOU about him. Young Brandon Is
dying. If you do not let me have a
motor car In five minutes from now
shah ten Mr.. Lamprthy all that l know
about Henry Rankin and Violet Hex
smeE',g.-e
You are mad,' she exclaimed. II don't
know what you are talking about
You lie he said quietly, and he
looked at the clock on the mantelp1ece
The woman confronted him with look
of fear. She could control her face, but
the truth was written in her eyes.
Must I get the servants to turn you
out p" she said. haughtily.
You will not do So he replied. lone