The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-25

her keen. slim-limbed, boyish way,
she developed real beauty under the
influence of Stacy's presence and the
excitement Of their venture. Evelyn
watched them benignly.
Mice chap, Joe Stacy. Pity
we'll, why not after all? Alice's
tastes. exclusive of horses, are inex-
pensive. and besides, she has her own
little income. Suppose the boys too
proud; must fix that somehow" For
the first time in many dreary days
a CLEAN of pleasure pierced Evelyn's
thoughts. You're not going to ride
home tonight. Stacy" he announced
cordially. II won't hear of 1t. It's
beast of storm. and it's all nom
sense. Well put you up"
Thanks. l can't, Mr.. Evelyn. I'm
up to the eyes, and I've got to be out
with the dawn tomorrow. Miss Raw
Inns wants me to look at Tiddledy-
winks' shoulder after dinner and
then I'll paddle along. The storms
nothing. It's about blown itself out
now"
In vain the host entreated. His
| guest would not stay. A few mo-
ments after the company had arisen
from the table, Alice excused her
self
I'm going up for my boots and
a cape. Joe," she called.
"All right. Good night. I'll see
you I'll again soon. Thank you, Mrs.
Evelyn. Oh, my slicker is outside;
don't bother. Good night again"
Stacy bowed himself from the room.
| donned his storm raiment, and
moment later Alice, bundled to the
eyes, Joined him in the hall. To-
gether they made their way across
the gardens. Hand 1t over" he
said softly.
Not now. Wait"
The groom on watch turned on
the electric switch, flooding the sta
bles with a MONDAY glare. The
horses in their box stalls, adorned
with their names in gold letters.
whinnied and stamped gently.
Alice led the way down the mat
ted and speckless aisle and shifted
happily the clean odors Of spar var
nish and hay. Here's Tiddledy-
winks," she announced, lifting the
latch and sliding back the door. A
velvet nose was thrust into her hand
as the hunter snickered his delight.
do you see how he favors that
foot?" she said.
A few pinches and knowing rub
| appeared to satisfy the connoisseur.
Little strain, that's ALL" He rose
and turned to the groom behind him.
WILLIAMS, bring me bandage. I'll
put him up myself Be saddling my
horse while I'm doing it, will you?"
The groom touched his cap and
walked rapidly away. 'Now!" he
whispered.
Sound limbed, gentle eyed, and
discreet, Tiddledywinks was the only
witness to the transfer.
Bright skies and the frosty breath
Of coming winter followed the night
of storm and turmoil. Wendham
rose early, and again went into the
garden, passing and repassing the
torn drapery of vines beneath the
windows of Mrs. Gaynor's former
apartment. The ground was tramp
led, but his own search would ac-
count for that sufficiently while the
heavy rainfall and flow from the
caves washing the earth left no
definite trace. Certainly the bag
was gone. Had Nellie removed and
rehidden it without Adele's knowl-
edge? Possibly. He must find out
from her. 1t was early, too early to
approach ner. He went quietly to
the nurse to learn the report of the
night.
Vreeman was experimenting the
lighting of the fires. Wendham re-
piled absently to his respectful in
quiries.
"The detectives have been prowl-
ing about the place all night" the
butler complained. ALBERT, there,
heard 'em over in the servants
wing. don't think, sir, if they found
anything they'd let on; that's what
I says"
The suggestion almost took Wend-
hams breath. Perhaps that was the
solution of the mystery. Was the
suspicious Vreeman's theory the
right one? And what then? Was
Nellie safe? Could blackmail?-He
left the loquacious butler to discuss
matters with the obseQuious under
servant and walked thoughtfully.
The clear, yellow flame from the
logs In the farther room attracted
him. Pausing before them he gazed
as II fascinated at the leaping blaze.
Oh, the many questions he must ans
wer before he could unravel the tan
gle. Still in brown study he sank
upon the padded expanse Of the great
chair. His hand fell upon something
cold. He glanced at 1t. 1t was the
clipping shears from Evelyn's desk.
He remembered seeing 1t lying there
among the catalogues and maya
zines. At the same time he noticed
two or three minute scraps of paper
adhering to the velvet of the uphols-
terry. Idly he picked them up and