The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-08-12
ALCeSZRA7ZONeT ee6I
81. RZEX
coPvR/oHE 1907 406eS-<1z&&Mz GO:
S066S-NE&&XZ CO:

went from the speaker to Janet Smith
in the corner. She said something
about hearing the music better from
the other side OF the balcony. Now
las Mrs. Mllicent very truly ex-
plained) there was not hapenny'
worth's difference In favor OF one side
over the other; but she followed In
the wake OF her imperious aunt.
The colonel drew nearer TO Janet
Smith. in order to sink his voice be-
low disturbing the music-loyers no
found Il necessary to sit on a pile OF
cushions at her feet.
did you know Mercer will be back
tonight" he began, long way from
his ultimate object. lie noticed that
leaning back in the shadow her ready
smile had dropped from her race.
which looked tired. Il want 10 tel
YOU a little story about Mercer" he
continued: may 1? II won't take
long"
He was aware. and II gave him a
twinge OF pain to see IT, that she sat
I'D little straighter, like one on
guard; and oh, how tired her face was
and how sweet! lie told her OF all his
suspicious OF her brother-in-law; OF
the bloods,ains and the changing OF
clothes; she did not interrupt him by
a question, hardly by motion. until
he told of the conversation with
Keatcham and the note signed The
Black Hand" At this her eyes light
ed; she exclaimed impetuously;
Cary Mercer never did send that let.
teri" She drew a deep intake OF
breath. II don't believe he touched
Mr.. Keatcham,"
Neither do l." said the colonel.
"but watt" He went on to the theater
girls report OF the receiver OF the teie-
grams. Her hands. which clasped her
knee. fell apart: her lips parted and
closed firmly.
did think It was your" said he.
why. yes. I confess did fear Il
might be and that you might be trying
TO shield Atkins"
~" she exclaimed hotly; that de-
testable villain!"
Isn't ho?" cried the colonel But
well. I couldn't tell how he might
strike a lady" he ended lameiy
Il reckon he would strike a lady II
she we're silly enough to marry him
and he got tired OF her. He IL the
Kind OF man who will persecute girl
10 marry him. follow Der around and
importune her and 1stter her and
then, n he should prevail. never for
give her for the bother nhe has given
him. Oh. never did like him; I'm
afraid OF him-awfully."
Not youg"-the coloners voice was
cheerful. as II he had not shivered
over his own foreboding vision. I've
seen you in action already. you know"
Not fighting bombs. hate bombs.
There are so many. pieces TO hit YOU
You can't run away"
We'll, you'll find them not so bad;
besides. you did fight one this very
morning. and you were cool as pep
permint!"
THAT was quite different: | had
time TO think. and the danger was
more 10 me than to any one else; but
10 think OF Mrs. Winter and Archie
and " all OF you: that scares me-"
Now. don't let II get on your
| nerves." he soothed-of course II Is
necessary to take a girls hand to
soothe her when she is frightEed. But
Miss Smith calmly released her hand.
only reddening little; and she
| laughed. "Where-where were we
att" she asked in her unconscious
southern phraseology.
Somewhere around Atkins.
think" said the colonel; he laughed in
his turn--he found II easy TO laugh,
now that he knew how she felt toward
| Atkins. you see. after | talked with
Keatcham couldn't make anything
but Atkins out OF the whole business.
But there we're those stained cuffs and
his changing his clothes"
yes" said she.
| How explain? There was only ono
explanation; that was, that perhaps
Mercer had discovered Keatchsm ~
fore we did. unconsciously spotted his
cuffs, been alarmed by our approach
and hidden, lest II should be the muir
derers returning. He might have
wanted a chance TO draw his re-
volver. Say he did that way. he might
foolishly pretend TO enter for the first
time. II he made that mistake and
then discovered the condition Of his
cuffs and the spots on his knee, what
would be his natural first impulsef
Why. to change them, trusting that
they hadn't been noticed Maybe.
then, he would wash them out"
CrO BE CONTINUED)
All His Fault.