The Washington herald., 1910-11-10
The House of IIl-Luck
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.

quickly. He felt she was laughing at him
for showing his interest in his mothers
comDanfon.
AS they went out into the hall he saw
Keziah coming toward him. The wom-
ans plain. honest face wore an express
sion he had not seen in It for some days.
well, Keziah.'' he said quickly. what
Is. IL"
keziah paused as Laura stood FOR a
moment behind, twisting a shawl about
her graceful shoulders.
Il should like TO speak to you alone,
please, Sir Douglas" she said, darting a
glance al Laura that made that lady
stare coldly at hes.
Sir Douglas Redeemed, and turned to
her Excuse me for a moment. Miss
Craven. family conelave"
She bowed Let US hope II will be
pleasant one"
He went into the drawing room. fol-
lowed by Keziah, and when they were
both inside he said hurriedly:
Nov what is it? Anything gone
wrong?"
"No. Sir Douglas" she answered in
low tone. but not SO low that It did not
reach the ears OF the woman who had
stolen back into the room and now stood
not a couple Of yards behind the portiere;
its going all right; the change for the
better as come, and, God be praised, the
worry Of the last few days is over, The
doctor said that We need not be anxious;
he's just gone
He sighed with relief. '"Then we are
safe for another brief period. eh, Keziah?
I don't know what / should do without
such faithful servants as you and Jason.
! can't stay now, though" he went on,
I am engaged"
Stop Sir Douglas" Keziah said quick
~. ! want to warn you, to beg you, 10
send these people away before 'er Teddy
ship returns"
What do you mean?" he said sharp-
~. You forget, Keziah, one OF the gen
tlemen is my cOusln.f
That may be. Sir Douglas. and it's not
my place to speak 90 you: but you know
what 'er leddyship Island If she meets
them and learns things that viii excite
'er you VIII be sorry al your life. sir.
Besides" she went on, II must tell Won
now, Sir Douglas. even II you send me
away. that last night l saw Mr.. Usher
ana Mr.. Craven both get out OF the din
Hg-room window and walk away in the
direction Of the Tower"
SO Mr. Usher told me-" Sir Douglas
answered impatientiy. They went ont
Tor stroll and could not find the way
back There IS no secret about II. Ke-
ziah"
Il locked the window and kept them
out. SIR" Keziah said stolidly. 1T was
no walk they took at midnight: they went
on purpose. They came down ere with
no good reason. They're all bad-the
woman. too; she watches and prizes and
asks questions. and already the young
LADY Is looking miserable"
They viii be going SOON" he repliad
We can't help accidents happening. can
we, KeZiah?r
Tisn't no accident sir" she retort-
ed. Jason told me that when they ar
rived there was nothing the matter with
the car; the accident appeared since
But I've said my say, sir" she added.
and n anything 'appens when 'er lady
snip is back and finds them at Luck
House l can't blame myself"
very Well. Keziah." he smiled. you
shall be eXOnerated from ali blame. I
think" he added seriously. THAT we had
better keep Lady Mallaby away for a
couple Of days until our visitors have
gone"
But when he Joined Laura who was
pacing 10 and fIo IN the hall, a strange
enigmatical smile on her lips. his face
was grave and thoughtful What IL Ke- /
ziah were right? These old servants OF /
his saw more than he did, evidently. and
a nasty suspicion sprang into his mind /
that perhaps the midnight jaunt was /
connected with his long. unusual sleep in |
the library.
How stupid OF servants 10 bother YOU
ar such times Laura said, syrnpatheti- /
caliy; that is the worst OF these old /
servants; they forget their place why
don't YOU get new ones?'
Because, though Keziah NAV be old /
fashioned and too devoted, she has been /
with my mother since I was born" he re- 4
piled gravely. "and neither of US minds /
her little peculiarities. which are more 4
than balanced by her whole hearts serv- |
ice to us and her interest in US"
Laura made a little grimace "Snub- 1
bed"' she thought. Never mind, I shall /
get even with him one day"
As they stroiled along she purposelv I
iorced him TO go down the darkest and /
thickest paths of the garden. Suddenly
she put out her hand and gripped his /
arm.
Hush I hear voices I do believe /
Miss French has been fascinated by the
fine night also
AT that moment a mans voice said /
I want the price Of my silence. You
can get il from Sir Douglas; you prom /
ised tor
Il thought I could, but I can't now"
clear. young voice rang out |
DO what you like, but I can't ask him
for money for you. It's impossible1'
Nonsense" said the voice. which Sir
Douglas recognized as that of the bully /
of the day before IF you can tell him
one lie. you can tell him another"
II cannot do that" she repeated.
Very well, then. I've got plan" the /
man went on in low voice. ''by which /