Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
CHAPTER XVI.
Tactics Of the Enemy.

Tactics OF the Enemy.
AS I walked back alone through the
flower garden up to the old uncovered
Grange I wondered whether the fellow
had really spoken the truth.
what was the unknown woman's
name? Was Granny really guilty? How
could I doubt it. for had he not practi-
cally admitted it?
Upon Garshores immediate actions
my attitude would depend. At present
I was utterly COMPOUNDED.
AS / entered the house / passed a
ler a moment later handed me a tele-
gram. 1t showed that il had been dis :
patched from Cory Station. near Gran
than. and read: Doctor Blackeney.
helston Cottage. Colsterworth.'
While ] was reading it Garshore en-
tered behind me, then turned upon his
heel and disappeared.
l went at once TO the library. got
down an atlas of the counties of Eng
land and found that Colsterworth was a
village about six miles south Of
Grantham. on the main road to London.
Corby was its nearest station, on the
main Great Northern line. The message
was from Granny. and. believing that
would be at the Grange he had sent it
there.
Myra ! found seated in the tent on the
lawn pretending to read novel. At my
appearance she jumped up to meet me.
Well she asked breathlessly.
well. have spoken to that black
guard" I said. "He admits he is in the
wrong: that his calumnies have been ut
fr0sr hug oil
withdraw them.
..Then he has liedo" she cried, with
sudden joy.
Yes; he is a liar. Myra. For what rea-
not seem at all clear. He has some
Interior motive. but at present / confess
l cannot discern II"
would have told her of her lover S
hiding place. but how could I? Would it
not have convinced her that Garshore' 8
allegation had some foundation of fact?
Its awfully good of you, Mr.. Ralston. :
she said. I'm sure you are dear Gran
ny's very best friend. He will thank you
when he knows"
zone true friend never requires the
others thanks, Myra." / replied Pro
lection Of g. friends interests Is a duty
which real friendship imposes"
Where is Mr.. Garshore?'
IT don't know. He came into the house
few minutes ago, but has gone out
again. l replied, with feigned uncon-
Germ.
"Well," she sighed. as though a great
weight were lifted from her mind. "as
long as these terrible things are untrue
know. and NOTHING. will cause me to for
sake him. But
"But what?'
well. I do wish l knew where he is,
Mr.. Ralston. l somehow feel very un-
comfortable because he has not replied"
This Is not the first time he has been
remiss in his correspondence. is it,"
asked. Dear old fellow. he's wretched
letter writer. He goes weeks and weeks
sometimes and never writes to me. Three
his correspondence"
II know she laughed. Hes often
gone ten days or so without answering a
letter. But I've generally noticed that
to another, and my letter has been going
after him."
1T is SO now. without a doubt I en-
deavored to reaSSure her, as she threw
herself among the cushions of the long
cane lOunge-chair in the tent and smooth
ed out her skirt to cover her neat little
ankles. Hes traveling-that's why I
days"
'When shall you see him again."
''Oh. before long. I shall go back to the
continent again-back to join him when I
know where he is
Hes almost certain to be east OF the
Danube" she laughed. 'He seems so
very fond of the Balkans, Turkey and
Greece. / suppose he has lot of bust
ness out there
"Oh, yes-lots Otherwise he'd never
spend so much time there But he, of
course. has many friends in the near
east
Lady fricnds?',. she asked, with a
saucy little smile.
mo. Myra." I answered. seriously. for
she was unaware of the reflection that
such question brought to me. lot course
ministers and ambassadors. who are very
kind to him and ask him to dinners and
dances and all that sort Of thing. But, as
you know only too well. there is to Gran
ny Cough only one woman In the whole
world-and she is yourself
"Ah! yes, I know, Mr. Ralston.' she
said. quickly. Il was only joking.
know that he is always true to me. He
Is the soul of honor-even though that
horrid man has declared that he's mere
adventurer."
We did not see Garshore again until
luncheon, when he came in rather late.
He was hot, and his boots dusty. show
ing that he had walked some distance.
His manner was quite calm. however.
and he laughed and chatted with his
host as though no contretemps had oc-
CURED. Then, toward the end of the
meal, he asked if we still meant to motor
into York.
"Of course" exclaimed old Mr.. Staple
ton you'll come with us. won't you,
Ralston?'' he asked. addressing me.
I'D rather be excused today l said.
"I have some letters / must write this
afternoon.
Myra glanced across at me and under
stood the reason of my refusal.
1.-The flower show is quite a good one,
I can assure YOU the old squire de-
cIared. "Ive been every year for close
upon twenty years. Ny gardener always
shows roses. and last year he won first
prize"
II hope you'll have similar luck this
year. for they are superb and / bent
down to the big bowl of great dark
crimson blossoms before me.
At half-past , the car came round. and
the party. including Miss Chambers, de-
parted.
I was glad when they We're gone and
I was left to my own devices. I wanted
to be alone to think and devise some plan
of action. For half an hour l sat in the
shadow Of one OF the big beeches on the
lawn and smoked. Then l resolved to
walk into Parnham village, on the Nation
road, all send a reassuring telegram to
Granny, who would no doubt be expect
Ing one in response.
Who was that dead woman? I wonder