Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-21
CHAPTER v.
Murder.

Archibald Travers stood in his favorite
attitude by the window. his shoulder
propped against the easement. his arms
folded. a smile Of good -natured amuse-
ment on his healthy face.
MY dear child" he protested, what
earthly interest can it have for YOU II
know the pros and cons of the business
You wouldn't understand, and that small
head would ache for week afterward.
| Be content with the outline of the thing.
| OF course, il has all been frightfully un-
| fortunate. But the rajah wasn't TO he
| held back. He believed the mine was go-
! ing to be the making of Marut-and for i
matter of fact SO did l at first. otherwise
l shouldn't have put ali my money in IL.
The fellow had an enthusiasm and confi-
dence which fairly carried us off our feet
Well it's done, and it's no use crying
about IL. The best thing we can DO is to
clear out of Marut as fast we can.
People are bound to be disa greeabe about
it"
1.-The Carys are ruined, too" she asked.
"Oh. l don't know-they have lost bit.
l suppose" His voice sounded unpleas-
ant. AT any rate. I'll say that for them
they behaved as people of their ex-
traction would behave. First the mother
poured out torrent of abuse over the
poor raiah which would have been the
envy of d fiShWife, and tien the daughter
turned on me-" He laughed. 1T was Il
most powerful scene of feminine hNs-
| terics. ! was glad that you were not
there"
Lois sat silent. her head resting on her
hand, her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the
table.
And what are we going to do" she
asked. at last 'You take the matter 50
easily but If we are really ruined
He laid his hand affectionately on her
shoulder.
Il am ruined. Lois. | did not say that
you were. Even with your rather low
opinion of me, you could hardly have SUP
posed that | would touch your money.
You are well enough OFF 10 do what YOU
like. As for me''-he squared his shoul-
ders-'I feel quite capable Of starting
things all over again"
His tone touched her. She looked up
and her face softened. There was uptt-
ing that could have made her happier
than to have discovered In her husband
some elements of courage and sincerity
'Of course. Archibald, whatever IS mine
is yours. she sad. You must have
known that
My dear generous little woman liz
bent over her and kissed her. apparently
unconscious that she instinctively drew
back from his caress. IF you really VIII
help me. no doubt | shall build things up
again in no time, and this one blunder
won't count for much You are worthy
conrade for a man..
Perhaps he had accepted her offer to-
as too elated. too satisfied. She got up
pushing her letters quickly 10 one side
You really wish US IL start for Madras
| tonight
Yes. if you can manage 1t. 1t is I'm
portant that 1 should get back as soon
as possible, and the business here is fin
ished."
very we'll / will pack mp as much as
/ can. The rest must be sent on after
ward"
He let her reach the door before he
stopped her again
by the way. Lois. there is one thing I
must ask you. I do not wish you 10 lave
any further intercourse with that Bea-
trice Cary. She Is not a person With
whom | should wish nay wife to asso
ciate. You We're right about her-she is
a bad, INSCRIPTIONS woman"
With her hand on the curtain she turned
and looked back at him. 4 cloud OF
curious distrust passed over her pale
face.
Il never said that she was bad or un-
scrupulous. / do not believe that she IS
You say that now. but IL was not your
old opinion"
Il suppose il is possible To see people
In different and less agreeable lights
he retorted. sharply.
only too possible. But as she was
never a friend of mine, and we are leaN-
ing within the next few hours the In
junction to avoid her is unnecessary.
She paused as though listening. 4 hear
some one talking TO the syce' she went
on, hurriedly. 1T sounds like Capt star
ford's voice. Archihald"-she turned anu
came quickly to his side-'please let me
out of the veranda / don't want to meet
him.
He caught her by the wrist and pushed
her hack The movement was brutal I'M
like his usual gentleness. and she saw by
the expression of his face that for the
mouent ne had lost all consciousness OF
what he was doing.
II don't want to see him, either. Go
a,d tau him that am not at home--that
7 have started for Madras-quick! Don't
stand there staring
To be continued tomorrow
waving preliminary examination be-