The evening world., 1912-06-26

- in my life. and was much In
terestsd In watching our direction. spec
ulating with . certain mental detach-
ment - We drove along. on the prob
able nelshborhood OF hIl- residence
When Ne turned into Fifth Avenue
thought that we we're about to cross
the Park, and was no little surprised
that our course continued straight up
town. Blu, my surprise was even greater
when We drew up before the steps Of
large granite house In the upper
seventies.
The door was opened for us by =
.ray-haired negro, who peered At me
almos. rudely. and shuftled into the
darkness at the further end OF the
hallway with Mr.. Bonds hat and cane.
Nr. Bond. himself, showed me the way
into a reception room. which was as
poorly lighted as the hall.
II will call my niece" he said hur-
risdiy, and as hurriediy would have
left the room had not laid . detain-
ing hand on his sleeve.
"Just one moment. Mr.. Bond" said
!. n would like to see your niece be-
for6 there Is any talk OF this mar
rlage between us"
II see no rehson ioE IT. TIC
co,dly.
II DO" I said. "You might as we'll
understand me, once and for all, sir.
This is. think you will admit an
unusual proceeding. have come
With YOU so far. but nov that l am
here we must d"al openly. Not only
must your niece know what manner of
nan I am, but ! must also De sure thar
she moves In this strange anair OF her
own free will. that this bargain 10 as
much her desire as II In your WISH
tell YOU she will be strange
woman II sine consents without coer-
cion TO marry q man branded as
am" 1900,
Ephralm Rond smiled IN the semi
darkness You are very SUSPICIOUS
Mr.. Ellsworth. But, after all, see no
treason why ] should not satisfy your
lrautious nobility. ! won't intruds at AZ
Ian YOUR meeting. NY niece VIII CONS
down alone. and YOU can introduce your
selves" ,a, ,s,, the
room. , .,,, ,,r,,er
I mad wished to question him turther.
"a .oare the cir, the embarrassme'i'
Of any awkward step on my part ous
har ,ipcle's leave-taking had been 30
,nrun, that was left with my ques-
lions upon my lips. ! stepped over ana
drsx the heavy window curtains pa|N
"a FAR as they would 20. letting IN a
little of the waning May sunshine ~
would be well for two people em"atk,
ing upon such an enterprise, Tor TINS
unknown girl and this chance.foune
man. 10 see one another PLAINLY, 70
meet face to face In the open sunlight
wondered what sort OF woman snt
would prove to he. Her uncle see"isu
very sure OF her. OF the way she wouid
hear herself In this meeting Win Z
,utuze AMI hideously marked man. VINO
rans in answer to a newspaper adVer-
iIsement to marry her for ais living
perRaps she was unfortunate In some
such way as was, l thought or III
some pressing distress that only mar
rage could solve. Perhaps-out the por-
tleres parted and she stood hesitatihs
In the doorway.
stood wide-eyed and trembling In my
place BY the window. l could see heI
quite plainly In the better light, and
she was the most beautiful woman
had ever seen. She was small, Du'
straight and fair. with wonderful blue
eyes that turned to me wist!ully
Thought saw In them something OF re-
Lief. A fierce hatred of myself and OF
my little, sordid speculations SWEEP
over me- ! wanted to go to her. and
beg the grace OF her forgiveness upor
my knees, but. for the first time In my
NE. was desperately afraid, so that