Evening star., 1909-06-06

back and forth IN the little room.
A STRO watched his chance and when Stel-
lervs back was turned, reached into the
waste paper basket drew out sheet of type
written paper, crumped it up in his hand, and
slid 1t into his pocket.
Is Mrs. Stellery at homea he asked
No; she had an appointment this after
noon. But she be at the drug store at six, she
promised"
IL wish had known this before SAID Astro
. should have liked to have my assistant with
me-"
I've been trying to get you on the phone all
day But in point of fact though Mrs. Stellery
consented to the candle, had to argue with her
all this morning to get her to meet this man
You can imagine how feel! | wonder if I've
done wrong, Can you fancy how it feels to
send your wife to a rendezvous to meet an
anonymous correspondent By Jovel didn't
know how much | loved her. beforel You
know, I've neglected her shamefully. suppose.
I've been absorbed in my work. and that's why
this sort of thing has been possible. | suppose
people have seen her gong about alone, and
have thought perhaps we were estranged, even.
And everything this damned scoundrel has been
writing her is true by Jove' She is charming.
you can see that She's one of ten thousand,
that woman | ought to know Now. at the
faintest prospect of losing her. absurd that
chance s-why, I'm fairly crazy about her If
saw that man with her. | don't who he is,
l believe I'd kill him"
Which is another reason for your not
going. said Astro. rising There must be
scene. You can trust Mrs Stellery to make the
talk brief and forcible enough. and. in any case,
you may depend upon me to protect her "
IT was nearly a quarter to SIX before he
reached Times Square. He entered the
building and started down stairs toward the
subway entrance on his way to the drug store
below the street, when man brushed past him,
almost jostling him off the step in his haste
The man looked round to apologize it was DR..
Primfied
oh | beg your pardon! he said and looked
at Astro queerly Haven't met you some
Astro recalled the meeting but did not men
ton his own name
The doctor appeared to be little embar-
rassed. I've got to catch subway train
you'll have to excuse me- he said. Other
wise. I'd like to have talk. | have some
theories of my own about capillary markings
on the fingers I'd like to discuss with you
Good day." and he was off like busy squirrel.
As he passed the drug store entrance Astro
noticed that he gave swift, apparently uneasy
look inside.
Mrs Stellery, however, had not yet appeared.
but at few minutes before six she walked in
the door handed prescription to the clerk at
the desk, and seated herself without appearing
to recognize the Seer, who lounged at counter
some distance away She was beautifully
dressed in the prevalent mode. and sat like
fashion plate without expression on her proud
face if bored to death.
Six o'clock struck and one approached
her Fifteen minutes went by, and still she sat
calm and naughty, in her place. Finally. when
the prescription was handed her. she walked
over to Astro and bowed coldly
do YOU think it will be any use waiting
longer" she asked.
Not the slightest was his reply mo one
will come am quite sure"
She looked up at him with sudden. keen ex-
preston You are sure." she repeated
Quite SO, Mrs. Stellery May | escort you
homer
When they arrived. the servant who opened
the door put a note into Mrs Stellery's hand
saving that it had been delivered by a messen-
ger boy She tore it open, read it, and passed it
to Astro.
1T was of course impossible for me to speak
to YOU. as YOU watched"
THE next day. as Astro and Valeska were
driving up town, returning from case
that was then puzzng him. he proposed that
they rest at Sherry S and take tea there. 1t was
not vet four O'Clock and there was no one else
Ill the room when they entered Tea. mullins.
and jam had hardly been ordered however
when Eaeska suddenly exclaimed
why. there's Mr. Askerson nowi"
And there's Mrs. Stellery as we'll" Astro
added.
Master and assistant gave each other quick
ry1a hon 70 tta ach,n