The Washington times., 1909-05-12

the direction the gypsy had pointed,
Jim saw the look, and there was greater
fear In his breast than had made itself
felt there at any time since his strange
task had begun.
The dining room was quiet place
during dinner that evening, Mrs Gra-
ham pondering over the developments
in regard to the chain and Atoms con-
nection with them. Jim alternately
thinking Of the peculiar behavior OF the
girl and the earnesrness with which Ut.
Jordan had instructed him to wait up
for him. the girl herself absorbed by
lmaginings utterly foreign to a sane
mind.
After the meal was finished they all
entered the library. after their usual
custom, Grace taking her place at the
piano. Jim had never heard Grace play
or sing, and tonight as he sat and Us
tened he felt more than ever that MS
life possessed but one purpose-th1t OF
protecting this girl. AS Grace finished a
ballad and remained at the instrument
modulating the chords into the first
bars of the Spring Song he turned to
Mrs. Graham.
why was Dr. Jordan so anxious
to see me tonight? There is rothinS
new worrying him. is there?"
Don't ask, jim" replied Ms Gra-
ham. 'T must not talk about g."
Then there is something?
''Don't-it's terrible"
"But, Mrs. Graham, don't you think
have a right TO know? Is 1t any
thing connected with me7'
please, Jin-we don't know any
thing yet You did bring the bag back.
Anyway, I don't care-there will be
some explanation, I know But don't
ask me anything about It"
Atoms thoughts. as she mentioned
the bag, went quickly back to the
scene in the railroad station. his jour
ney. during which the article had been
stolen from him, and then to the ap-
pearance Of the swarthy man in whose
possession he had found II. He felt that
it was useless to seek. information from
Mrs Graham, and that It would not
be fair to DR.. Jordan to trap her
into supplying facts which he needed
to anay his anxiety. So he-said no
more. listening quietly to Grace as she
played the last strains Of the song
which seemed so much a part OF her,
and then turned to him.
Jim she said. 'T never loved you
so much, dear, but sometimes you seem
different. You used to be so careful
about your clothes. for instance. and
here you have been wearing that ragged
suit all day. Why is it?"
IL am going to get ne-J one to-
morrow. Grace" he replied.
DO. Jim, and auntie win get out
my heavy black coat I think I'd Ike
! TO sit outside a little
Certainly. dear" and Mrs. Graham
left the room.
The moment they were alone Grac'
arose and approached Alton quickly.
"Jim," she said. in a whisper, ''d'
you really know where baby is-and il
he safer
He felt almost that her insanity eoult
pierce the falsehood of his sane. lyins
answer, but there was nothing to d.
other than to continue rne deception
He is safe-you believe me, dom
you. dear?''
] "And is he there where the gyps,
tole me today?'
Don't Grace-dOn't ask me any more
We viii go to him soon"
For the first time since he had beei
I forced into this position the girl seem
ed unsatisfied with his answer. and tn
look she gave him bore a vague ex
preston or doubt Mrs Graham re
turned at that moment, and she, toe
gave evidence of the fact that some
thing unusual was affecting her.
Il have hung your coat in the hal
Grace" she said
Thank you. auntie-I-I think wi
90 outside for a little. on the veranda.
She left Mrs. Graham and Alton, an