Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-07
CHAPTER Xxx.
A Resignation and q Refusal.

Kilbourne made no attempt to disguise
the reason for his unexpected return TO
Winton. Indeed. before we reached Over
look he frankly declared that since Mon
day he had thought of no one and OF
nothing but Dolly Mcclure. He NAL
Tested little interest in my affairs, and
coolly intimated that he had come to
make me a visit of indefinite length.
I was both nettled and hurt by his in
difference. and his candor was the only
thing that saved the day for him.
never could quarrel with man who was
absolutely frank. So / pocketed my
wrath, made no comment about the mat
ters uppermost in my mind. and as pa
tiently as possible awaited the turn OF
the tide in his affaire de occur.
when, however. Monday arrived with
out any visible change, l openly rebelled
against being towed to Red Gables twice
daily to sit on the veranda and talk idly
with Mr.. Mcclure. or join him in a game
of chess. while Kilbourne entertained the
ofttimes obviously reluctant Dolly. As
we smoked our after-dinner cigars upon
the portico on Monday evening. therefore.
i mentioned casually that business con-
nected with the case would take me to
Boston on the following day
kilbourne regarded me with absent
eyes.
oh" he said presently. "the case Yes.
apologize. You know that it is not your
attractive personality that is holding me
now. I'll indulge myself In that later
when you are back in town with your
what was IL? Sixty thousand dollars. BY
the way. how is the case coming on?"
LAS well as can be expected" l made
reply. stiff1y, and in the language OF q
medical man discussing a disease.
OH" commented Kilbourne again. this
time. however. with a sharp. compre-
hensive glance at me. Il see" He flung
away the end of his cigar and rose.
Come" he said. Let US meander
into the suburbs indicating Red Gales
with his thumb.
Not for me. thank you. think I'll
have a row on the bay little later.
There's a clear MOON"
Yes: I had observed. I was wonder
ing moment ago how Miss Dolly would
enjoy an hour on the water" and Kill
bourne sauntered away.
/ watched him as he moved slowly
across the lawn. and marveled that such
a combination of acumen and dense ego
tism could exist In any one man. Had
he been for five minutes only in the COM
pany of a couple like Dolly Mcclure and
himself he would have known that Dolly s
interest I'm him was merely that of a
friend, and he would have regarded his
own confidence and high spirits as little
short OF idiotic blindness. Nothing that
said to give him hint Of what be-
lieved to be the girls true condition OF
heart made the slightest impression on
him, and he intimated gayly that ! was
merely green with envy. The name OF
Milbrath was not mentioned between us.
and l believe that at the time kilbourne's
mind never associated Milbrath with
Dolly.
AS I started for the boathouse Gaspard
came up with the evening mail. One let
ter. addressed In a small. cramped hand.
was postmarked Boston," and I knew
from whom it came before l opened 1t.
had done some hard thinking since
Friday evening. piecing out another
theory for my case; or rather another
part to the one already on the carpet.
II this stranger to Winton to whom Hut
ton referred were indeed Philander Sum-
merfield he, too. was Involved in the mys-
terry, notwithstanding the fact that he
had engaged me to try to solve IL.
On Saturday / found an excuse see
Hutton again.
Have you seen your old man since
Nope. Oh. he'll not be around this
way for week or more likely. Gosh.
l bet he got crick In his back from
pullin' himself onto that train! You sure
you don't know him?"
How could 1? The man his descrip-
ton fits I never saw outside New York.
When was IL you first saw him?"
''Oh. some time ago-June. 1 guess"
THAT was long before / thought of
coming here. ! dare say he has friends
station with him.?
Nope"
"And he looks like no one you ever
SAW
Hutton shook his head.
There amt nobody in this part OF the
country like him. though I'd be switched
IL / can tell what makes the difference.
'Tain't his voice nor way of speakin, Tor
the fust time he said a word-Gosh! IL
didn't get a start, Sounded for all the
world like Old Man Somhers. Didn't
know Mr.. Somhers. did your"
IT knew him when l was q little chap.
and I told Hutton little about that
call Mis- voice." l concluded. wishing with
all my heart that l could.
wall. I can't say myself exactly how
t was-kinder quick and nervouslike. any
way"
And that was all that ! gained from