Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-12

drive me and my sister and two suit
cases back to Mellison avenue"
Without waiting for a reply from the
now thoroughly scandalized cabman.
l hurried into the house. I dragged
Early upstairs. quite unmindful Of her
indignant protests. When I had got
her into the bedroom 1 locked the
door.
Early Chlore," 1 said, pack your
suit case. III tell you all there is to
tell after we get into the cab; just now
this is enough to say, we've broken
into the wrong house, But I've found
the right one; thank heaven for that,
anyhow. L can never look a mortal in
the face again, and when 1 think OF
that maniac. Early. who was he? He
said his name was James,"
I'm sure 1 have no idea." whimpered
Early. The town is probably fairly
swarming with lunatics. l know of at
least two. who. if they have never yet
been locked up, certainly ought to be-
rushed into the packing with fran
tic haste. AS L was already dressed
for the street, it did not take me long
to finish. l seized the suit cases and
started out. leaving Early struggling
with her shoe strings. AS went down
the steps an enormous touring car
drew up to the curbing. just behind the
waiting cab. A man hurriedly stepped
out, and l found myself face to face
with my mysterious caller OF the night
before. He was Immediately dressed,
with flower in his button hole, and
was forced to admit that he looked
handsome. though L fairly hated the
sight of him.
Why, Miss Chlore," he exclaimed,
you're not going away
The role of housebreaker.'' / said, lis
pleasantly exciting just at first but l
find that 1t soon grows wearisome. The
novelty of the situation having worn off,
my sister and l are seeking fresh fields
of adventure. Having exploited Melison
street to our entire satisfaction we are
now starting for MellSon avenue Oh
/ cried. pognantly, "a town SO lost to all
sense of decency as to have two streets
of the same name ought to be wiped of
the map. How could you be so unkind
as to yet go on being an impostor, when
you must have seen that there was mis-
take somewhere? Why did you let me
think you were crazy? And you told me
your name was James,.
1 never saw a more hopelessly puzzled
expression on the face of human being.
MY dear Miss Chlore,'' he said, gently,
picking up the suit cases, Il see that
there has been mistake, but what it Is
l do not vet know. But since you are
evidently starting out somewhere. let me,
at least have the consolation of taking
you in my car. That will give you an
opportunity of explaining the matter to
me, which, l am sure, you will be willing
to Co
And before l could catch my breath he
had actually paid off the cabman, another
humiliation, and installed me, bag and
baggage, in the automobile. Just then
Early came out.
He leaned toward me. Il told you my
name was James, he said in low voice,
because you asked me: and it is-James
Darthman. Now. won't you introduce
me to your sister,
EARLY" I said, with as much self
possession as 1 could muster, this is Mr..
Darthman. And he may be going to drive
us to the police station, for aught 1
know: there is no particular reason why
he shouldn't. But 1 wish, please, that
you would tell him how 1t happened"
1 never can be proud enough of Early
for the way in which she rose to the
emergency.
so your sister is Mrs. Frannin?" I
heard her saying. q had heard Clara
mention the Frannins as the grand mo-
guls of Prattsburg.) And you are a
second of Eugene Hedding? How nice
that we have mutual acquaintances!
What is that, Mr.. Bradmur? Oh, Edith,
Mr. Darthman knows George Bradmur!
1 have heard him speak of Jim Darth-
man, who was in the class above him at
college. So that was you? And. of
course, it was through Mr.. Bradmur that
you heard of u.s..
AS we climbed the steps of 314 Mellison