The Washington herald., 1910-08-01
forth Abby followed me with a little plaid
shawl she was trying to put over my
shoulders
CHAPTER II.
The Evidence.

The Evidence.
IL did not seem possible that Mr.. Ding
ley and father could be gone longer than
half an hour. but the hands Of the clock
went to and then 20 10 before I heard
them on the steps. I made dash ahead
Of Abby and opened the door Did he
get away The words flew of my tongue
before I could think. I knew it had been
a dreadfully wrong thing to say 4 mean
the other man-is he dead?' I gasped
Father had quickly closed the front door
behind him. for there seemed 10 be quite
a crowd In the street. and there in the
half dark l could see his face and Mr..
Dingley's only as palish spots in the
gloom. The thought came 20 me. "Of
course he isn't going TO tell me anything.
He is going 70 say II is nothing I ought
to hear about, and that I must go up
stairs"
Ellie. he began-then he caught sight
Of Abby in the dining-room door. He
held out his hand TO me. Come into the
study, Ellie. Mr. Dingley wants to ask
you a question"
1t was all so unexpected and so startling
to be called into the study where only
men went and only business was talked
about and to hear it was MI Dingley,
not father, who wished to ask me q ques-
ton, that I wanted to shrink away and
escape from the very facts I had been
so anxious to know a few minutes be-
! fore. But father held me by the hand.
and l had to drag my feet down the
long. dark passage that leads to the
study, hearing Mr.. Dlngley striding at
my heels.
1t was small room. full OF a great
litter OF papers. and smelling family of
tobacco and Russia leather. I sat down
in the leather armchair that was drawn
up TO the table. Just opposite me was
window looking directly into the green
branches Of a weeping willow, and at
intervals the wind blew the leaves against
the glass with a sound like "Hushrr I'd
TO that moment 1 had had no memory
connected with that room-only the gen.
eraI sense OF awe Il had given me as
child. But as soon as l was in that
chair, facing that window, hearing the
Hush. hush," Of the weeping leaves. in
a quick. distinct fash ! saw myself a
naughty child, sitting up in that chair.
in anguish Of mind over a stolen lam
pot. and my mothers face pulled 20 a
great gravity. no doubt to keep from
laughing at the sight OF me. seemed to
hear her voice again. "The truth. Ellie;
remember, nothing but good ever comes
OF the truth"
! 1t fitted through my mind as a little
sweet memory. having nothing TO do with
what was happening at the moment. for
the thought in my mind was all. What
has become Of the man with the re-
volver?"
Father had sat down opposite me on a
corner OF the table. but Mr.. Dinglev
walked to the fireplace, turned his back
10 il. put his hands behind his coattails.
buried his big chin deep in his collar,
and in Just the same cheerful voice he
used when he asked me how many
| hearts had broken, Now. Miss Ellie"
he said. what makes you think that
the man who came second out of that
door had revolver In his hand?'
| 1 looked at him in establishment, his
question seemed SO silly. Why. because
saw IT,"
He gave his head brisk shake. Yes;
! but what makes you know you saw it?''