The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-12-21


She gave him look. She couldn't
forget their scene in the red room,
but the mixture of apprehension and
real concern in his face went far to-
ward melting her. She might even
have told him something, at least a
part of the truth, but for that other
standing watching her from the draw
ing-room door. With Clara, there was
nothing for It but to ignore her disor-
dered hair, her hat in her hand, her
rufle torn and trailing on the floor.
She put on splendid nonchalance,
as If 1t were none of their business.
"Oh, am sorry IL l kept you wait
ing"
1t was Clara who spoke to her, past
Harry's blank astonishment. why.
we don't mind waiting a few moments
more while you dress"
'T shan't have to dress" Such a
statement Flora felt must amaze even
Shima, waiting like an image on the
threshold of the dining-room. But II
these, people were waiting to be
amazed she felt herself equal to
amazing them to the top of their ex-
pectations.
"Oh, but at least go up and let
Marrika give you some pins" Clara
protested, hurrying forward as II fair
ly to drive her.
Thank you, no. this will do" Flora
said. On one point she was quite
clear. She wasn't going to leave those
two together for a moment to discuss
her plight; not till she could first get
at Harry alone. Then and there she
turned to the mirror and with her
combs began to catch back and smooth
the disorder of her hair, seeing all the
while Claras reflection lowering per-
turbed and vigilant In the background
of her own.
While her hands were busy SEEM
ing to accommodate Clara, her mind
was marshaled to Clara's outwitting.
The only thing to do was to tell
nothing. Let Clara spend her time in
guessing. Unless by some wild chance
she had seen Kerr in the garden she
couldn't come near the truth Of what
had happened. But what was to be
done with Harry? Harry was too close
to her to be ignored.
At that dreadful dinner, where she
sat conscious illustrator of these two
silent ones. glancing at Harry's face,
she knew that II she didn't attack she
would be attacked by him. 1t was
here In the midst Of the noiseless
passings of Shima, watching Harry's
suspicious glances flashing across the
table at her strange disorder, that the
idea occurred to her of way out of
It, She was bold enough to try a
daring thrust at the mystery. II ever
hunter was to be led off on false
scent, Harry was that one. She was
amazed at the sudden, fearless i'm
pulse that had sprung up In her. She
wasn't even afraid to say to him un-
der Clara's nose, Harry. I want you
to myself after dinner. Come up into
the garden study" :"
He was very willing to follow her.
She thought she detected in his alac-
rity something more than curiosity or
concern. 1t seemed almost as II Har-
ry was ashamed Of that scene in the
red room, and anxious to make 1t up
with her. He even tried before they
had reached the head of the stairs.
"Oh, Floral say, Flora, L"
But an explanation between them
was the last thing she wanted just
then. She fairly ran, leaving him
painting in the wake of her airy skirts,
For the first time since the thing
began Clara was left out completely.
Flora knew she was even left out of
possibility of listening at the key
hole. For the bright, tight, little
room into which Harry followed her
was approached by square entry and
a double door. The room itself over
hung the garden as ships deck
overhangs the sea- Leather books and
long red curtains were the note of it.
She and Harry had often been here
together before.
He hadn't got his breath. He had
hardly shut the door on them before
she began. well, something has
happened She had This attention.
| His other purpose was arrested. "Oh,
something extraordinary would
have told you on the spot, only I
thought you would rather Clara didn't
know it."
'I?" That left him staring. What
have to do with it?"
At this she gave him long look.
1T was through you he ever had the
chance of seeing me. mean the
blue-eyed Chinaman. He has follow
ed me all the evening. He followed me
here to the very door" Flora's array
of facts fell so fast. so hard, so point
ed, that for a moment they held him
| speechless in the middle of the room.
Any fleeting suspicion she might
have had of his completely in the
| Chinaman's pursuit vanished. He
showed plain bewilderment. For a
| moment he was more at sea than her
self. The next she saw the shadow OF
thought SO disturbing that it sharp
ened his ruddy face to harshness. He
stepped toward. her. What did he
say to you?" He loomed directly
above her, threatening.