The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-11
THE
TANGLED
WEB
BY Ethel Watts.Mumford Grant
Author Of ''Dupes," "Whitewash," ETC.
Copynzh,, 1908. by Benz. B. Hampton
CHAPTER XII.

1t. thought Mrs. Gaynor was
asleep; she hadn't moved that long
while. was coming right back"
Her masters frown relaxed some
what. After all was the servant so
greatly to blame? No one could
have foreseen the catastrophe.
I'm the future, when you receive
orders. obey them literally; don't
use your own Judgment. You're
not here for that"
mo, sir-yes, sir" cried the wo-
man, delighted that the result of her
ill-considered obedience had not cost
her her place. The poor lady was
out of her head. like. The doctor
didn't say that to me, sir; as true
as I'm alive, he didn't"
Evelyn turned on his heel and
walked down the corridor, his mind
filled with contending emotions. That
poor Nellie Gaynor's brain was now
affected was evident. She talked in
coherently, sometimes mere maze
of words. But what he had seen at
the moment of her attempted self
destruction bore the stamp of sanity
There was complete understanding
in her determined grasp of the dead
ly weapon; and 1t was the result OF
what she had seen in the little room.
Wendham too, realized, that her ef-
fort had been to commit suicide.
His imperative demand that the
story be so told that her actions
would appear irrational-her escape
and wound. the result of delirium
revealed his thought. Instructive
ly Evelyn's protective instinct had
Joined forces with Wendham. Not
questioning glance had met his
story, even from the ferret-faced
Leavison. How should he guess?
The clew lay in that interview in the
den.
Luncheon would be dreary meal.
yet he looked forward to it eagerly
Then perhaps he might arrange for
q sane talk with Wendham.
The arrival of the trained nurse
ment. and then relief.
At last, haggard and stern, the
physician left the sick room, to find
Evelyn waiting for him.
Boyd" he exclaimed in a half
whisper, Il can't stand being in the
dark. You know-tell me. What
was it you found out?"
Wendham looked his host directly
in the eyes. Both look and voice
raised an impenetrable barrier to
further inquiry.
II learned what I believed to be
true before. The girl is absolutely
innocent of even the slightest desire
of wrong doing I do not believe she
ever coveted anything in her life"
Evelyn sighed and slipped his
hands into his pockets in bewilder-
ment This was not the answer he
had expected.
What in the world shall say to
my gardeners wife tonight? Sounds
like Ollendorff, doesn't it?" He
laughed ruefully. But, Wendham!"
he exclaimed, here it's days since
that confounded mysterious disap-
pearance, and we're getting no
where"
Were doing the best we can,"
said Wendham absently. Mrs. Gay
nor's condition is, I'm afraid"
Wendham broke off. There's Mrs.
Evelyn. I want to see her particu-
larly."
do come to luncheon" said that
lady wearily. 1T seems impossible to
get this household together, and the
chef is 30 indignant at having been
examined that he threatens to leave
anyway. That would be the worst Of
all. you know."
WendhaA smiled, but his eyes
grew serious. II want to ask you
kindly to inform everyone servants
and guests alike, that no one is to
go near Mrs. Gaynor except the
nurse. her maid, or myself It is
imperative. I must insist again, and
must ask that that part of the
house be visited as little as posi-
ble."
Certainly. You can tell them at
luncheon, and I'll see that the butler
warns them all in the servants hall.
There's Alice. Where in the world
have you been? Your boots are a
sight. 1 hope you wiped them when
you came in! Think of my rugs!"
TOO good for the floor, anyway
Eaid Alice. Hang them on the wall
And If you want to know what I've
been doing-the under gardener and
have been catching one of your
loud-mouthed, loud-dressed macaws
that got loose from his gilt gymnasi'
um. That's work. How's Nellie?"
Wendham shook his head. Alice
drew on her gloves and stretched hel
cramped fingers.
why, you're shaky, Alice. Have
we all gone crazy? Who ever heard
of you with a quiver?"
THAT horny-nosed bird bit me,
she retorted ruefully. while over hel
clean-cut, hiKh-bred face came th'
look that always shone there wher
she braced herself for bad inmp