Evening star., 1912-11-11

vorite retreat by the lake. a low, broad
bench between two friendly fr trees,
and here. looking out over the placid sur
face, with its heavy shade lines follow
ing the shores. they had memorable in
terview. 1t was characteristic of Merle
that he chose this spot of soothing
beauty, where nature seemed to reveal
her tenderest moods. for the hard busi-
ness Of criminal investigation.
1.-The point is. Hester" he began. Il
have been thinking over the matter of
your arrival at Ipping House and your
establishment here, and, while l have
the deepest sympathy for you. my friend.
and desire to help you. l feel that 1
should have shown a greater interest in
your family and - er = antecedents; in
short, should have asked you to tell me
little more about yourself
IN be glad to tell you anything you
want to know the girl said. with an air
of perfect truthfulness, while the curate
continued to marvel.
How did you happen to COME to so
small and unimportant a place as Ip-
pingford? AS understand it, you knew
no one here and-er-why did you buy a
ticket to Ippingford?'
Il didn't answered Hester, with ready
invention. II bought a ticket to York,
and II got off here because she hesi-
tated, and her eyes, wandering over the
We're drifting down the cove in stately
squadron. In an instant she had her ex-
PLANTATION.
"Yes?" said Merle, encouragingly.
II got off here because it was so beau
tfful. 1 wanted to be in the country
away from noise and smoke, and-you
see I've always lived in cities, and I've
been unhappy there: I've had no luck
there, and when l saw this lake and the
hills and green things it seemed like a
voice calling me, and IL just got Off the
train, couldn't help it."
There was a quiver in her voice that
stirred Horatio's sympathy. but he har-
dened his heart.
Then you had no specific purpose in
coming to Ippingford?"
''Oh, no! l did not even know the name
Of the town.
'And suppose you had found no friends
here. no employment? What would you
have done?"
Il should have gone on to some other
place. And 1 should never have forgot
ten the flowers and hedges and that love-
ly walk l took the day l met you-when
you were so kind to me-
Her sweet, low tones moved him
strangely, but he kept to his task
THAT was only natural. my dear, after
you had come to my assistance. But
tell me, are you contented here? Do
you plan to stay with us, now that We
have made a place for your
Hester looked at him sharply. How
came he to put that question? What was
he driving at?
why, yes" she assured him. 81 want
to stay, If you are satisfied with me-
''You have no intention of going away?
No thought of returning to American
NO" she said, disturbed by his per-
sistence. "Why do you ask me that?''
Il thought perhaps your family in
America-or your friends
She shook her head sadly. Il have no
family. No friends. i am all alone"
"You have no father or mother? No
brother? No sister?'
Again she shook her head There was
no particular reason why she should lie
about Rosalie.. except that her sister
was too sacred a thing in Hester's life
to be mentioned lightly. And she failed
to see what difference it could possibly
make to this queer little man whether
she said that she had a sister or had no
sister.
But it made a great difference to Ho-
ratio, for Hester's denial of Rosalie came
as crushing elimination TO her other
falsehoods. She had lied in declaring
that she had no special purpose in visit
ing Ippingford She had lied i'm saving
she was not planning return to Amer
lea. And now she had lied about her
sister. The moment had come for Merle
to strike. His trap was ready, his victim
helpless and defenseless: he had only to
touch the spring, or, more precisely, to
produce the accusing letter
HOratio sat silent looking out over the
lake. now bathed in its full summer
splendor What a glory of color, What
a profusion of life and joy of life! The
birds, the insects, the myriad creatures
Of field and wood and Lake, all happy in
their several ways! There were the
thrushes calling!
Horatio sighed. Why should not men
and women be as carefree as these song
sters Of the air? Why all this sadness
tiful? Why all this sorrow and sin?
(TO be continued tomorrOW)