The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-02-09

81 asked her directly. after the doc,
tor had disappeared"
You must have become very famil-
tar" questioning once again in her
voice
so Miss Maclaire evidently thought.
Judging from her manner. However
she answered frankly enough. and
even defiantly added the Information
that the gentleman had something to
impart to her of the utmost import
ance. sarcastically asking me if |
didn't wish | could be there and over
hear. But sit down. Hope. until tell
you all that has occurred"
He went over the various events in
detail. watching eagerly the express
sion upon her face as she listened in
tently, only occasionally interrupting
with some pertinent inquiry. The light
fell SO that she sat partially In The
shadow. where her eyes could not be
read, yet he experienced no difficulty
In comprehending the various moods
with which she met his narrative. the
color changing in ber cheeks. her sup
pie form bending toward him. or lean
ing backward in the chair. her fingers
clasping or unclasping in nervous at
tention He began with Neb's report.
repea ting. word by word. as nearly as
he could recollect, what had passed
between Hawley and her father. He
paused to inquire If she had ever
heard the name Bartlett. but her re-
ply was merely a negative shake of
the head. When he described their
missing the train, she was, apparently.
not convinced as to the Generals de-
parture upon it. although finally agree
ing that. If be really believed the re-
port that the man sought was else
where. it would be characteristic of
him to accept the first means of get
ting there IF he only knew | was
here" she exclaimed wearily. 1t
might be so different. but. oh. We are
all Of US just cropping in the dark !"
Then Keith turned to his chance meet
ing with Miss Maclaire. and repeated
carefully their conversation, dwelling
particularly upon the few admissions
which had slipped through her lips.
These did not seem important to eth
er. although they treasured them up
and talked them over. Then. having
exhausted the topic. silence fell be-
tween them. Keith asking the privi-
lege of lighting q cigar. Hope. after
watching him apply the match. think
ing what fine face be had as the
ruddy flame brought it forth with the
clearness of cameo. leaned back.
drawing aside the semblance to lace
curtain, and staring forth. without see
ing. into the street.
Somehow. 1t was hard for her to full
ly realize the situation. and how close
ly it affected her. The swiftly passing
events. the complication arising so
suddenly. apparently out of nothing,
left her feeling as though she must
surely awake from dream. She could
not comprehend what II was all
about; the names Bartlett and Phyl-
lis had no clear meaning. they repre-
sented nothing but shadows; and this
other woman-this music hall singer
what could there be in common be-
tween them? Yet there must be
mething-something of vital import
ance to her father-something which
had already cost her brothers life.
That was the one thing which made it
seem an actuality-which brought it
home to her as a rugged fact. But for
that-and Keith-Keith sitting there
before her-she would have doubted it
all And yet even Keith had come
into her life so suddenly. so uneXpect-
edly. as to leave her dazed and un-
certain. that she extended her hand
and touched him. as though to make
sure of his actual presence.
What is it. Hope?'