Evening star., 1912-11-24
CHAPTER XXXII-Continued.

Yes, but your mother told you. Oh
YOU NEEDN'T look so innocent. I'm sure
she did. Why, you didn't even remember
the little keepsake you gave me-
What keepsake?"
"Ah! I told you! And I've kept it al
these years.
She opened her lizard skin bag and pro-
duced a silver pencil with a whistle at the
end.
There. I suppose you've even forgot
ten the whistle" She blew shrilly on the
little plaything.
Bob looked at her out of straightfor-
ward, loyal eyes. II own up, Betty. l
had forgotten. l didn't know you until
mother gave the thing away, but I'll say
this, you made me think of Betty.
never knew how it was. but = now
know" He leaned toward her eagerly.
There's only one Betty in the world;
there couldn't be two. and
1T really is going to storm Bob she
said. rising nervously. Just hear that
wind. And see how dark it's getting
She felt caressing shivers running up
and down her back as she caught the
unsteadiness of his voice
sit. down, Bob. I'm going to sing for
you. I'm going to sing my favorite song.
He tossed his big shoulders impatiently,
and she flung him a pouting reproof.
''Oh, well, if you don't care to hear my
favorte song
Il do care, Betty. I'm crazy to hear it.
but-hello!' He paused as pompous
cough and ponderous tread resounded
through the hall
It's the bishop said Betty, and the
words We're scarcely spoken when his
lordship entered. his benfgnant smile re-
his ecclesiastic coat and buckled knee
breeches.
''Ah. my young friends" was his sonor-
Gus greeting as he peered among the
shadowed spaces of the great room An,
here you are. Quite a charming twilight
picture.' He took their hands in a hearty
grasp, then. turning slyly to Bob, Il
don't think / need apologize for keeping
you waiting"
Young Baxter gave a little self-con-
sciOuS laugh, but Betty Immediately be-
came dignified.
I'VE were talking-about music
Yes added Bob. you know Betty
has been studying singing in Paris-she
has a splendid voice
a beautiful speaking voice. / should
very much enjoy hearing Miss Thompson
sing" The bishop bowed gallantly.
You're just in time. Miss Thompson
has promised to sing her favorite song
and-er-I was saying it would be rather
nice to have 1t in the dark with-er-with
the organ accompaniment
Betty opened her eyes at the glibness
of Bob's invention.
ITO be sure approved his lordship
In the dark by all means, with the
storm raging outside. Bless my soul
Look at that RAIN"
The water was coming down in sheets
and torrents. lashing the library win
dows and seething over the glass roof OF
the conservatory.
1T sounds like Belasco melOdrama,
laughed Bob.
"Yes, yes. quite so,'' murmured the
bishop. not understanding in the least
this allusion. And what is your favor
ite song. my dear?' he asked Betty.
'Oh, I would never have the courage
to sing before you she declared.
'Nonsense!" said he.
Besides. it's SO much more interesting
to talk Well have some lights and some
tea, and-you must tell US what brings
"Why, don't you know? Didn't you tell
her?" The churchman turned to Bob in
surprise.
"i-er-I thought I did, stammered the
latter, but Betty shook her head.
Its quite q mystery. my DEAR the
prelate explained. Its in connection
with that unfortunate affair in the train
you remember?'
1.-The purse?'
Exactly. l received a telegram this
morning from Scotland Yard-the police
headquarters"
'Yes?"
Perhaps you don't know it. but they
have sent a detective here, a man named
Grimes"
Betty could feel her lips getting white
but she kept her self-possession.
Il know she said, quietly, Il saw
him."
Il had a few words with him myself
just now. He seems like a straightfOr-
ward fellOw-says he has clue, but-he
isn't quite ready to make his report
''How can he have clue in this
house?' objected Bob. "The servants
have all left. and-I guess it's false
alarm
1--WE have had SO many false alarms. You
remember those German musicians, Miss
Thompsono''
Il remember
well, l suppose we must be patient.
the prelate continued. In a tone OF resig.
nation, land, for the moment, my dear
nothing could be more delightful than
the song you were speaking of-in the
dark, please"
Betty looked out into the park, where
the swaying pines. tortured in the
strength of the tempest, were hurting
their branches to and fro like huge black
hands. She listened to the shrieking OF
the gale as il rose and fell. and then.
without speaking, she went to the old
organ. and. seating herself at the yellow
keyboard, in the paneled recess, began to
play softly a tender prelude of minor
chords. AS her courage grew she sWelled
into a brayer. ascending movement. with
danger notes sounding here and there
and. finally, improvising through rapid
procession Of major chords. she swung
into a triumphant, crashing finale with
the full strength of the organ, storm
within and storm without, that stirred
old Bunchester to the depths of his tired
soul and gave Betty Thompson new cour.
age for the task that was before her.
Suddenly she stopped
There was a moment of tense silence
then her sweet voice lifted in an inspired
melody and. with all the tenderness OF
ner nature, she sang annie Laurie
Wonderful! Admirable.'' exclaimed
the bishop when the last note of the
haunting words had died away. You
nave an exquisite voice. my dear. Really
II don't know when I have been more
genuinely touched
Betty herself was SO deeply moved that
she could scarcely trust herself to speak
Bob" she called, softly. will you gel
my handkerchief? It's there by yOu-ir
my desk-the top drawer"
She spoke as if she thought Bob was
sitting near her desk, but he rose from
the opposite corner of the room.
Certainly" he said, crossing over
wait, I'll turn up the lights and he
did so touching button In the wall.
AS the electrics flashed out Betty looked
about her in surprise.
"Why how strange!' she cried.
"What?" asked the bishop.
Surely you-yOu haven't been sitting
there all the time-while l was singing?'
my dear young lady. / haven't moved
from this chair" declared his lordship.
But you must have moved. Some one
| moved. across this room.'' she insisted
ns-tI,