Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-26
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.

CHAPTER VI.-Continued.
started out aimlessly along country
road. her mind filled with schemes for
getting at Miss Elizabeth Thompson, had,
by a lucky chance. fallen in with this
guileless and amiable party who actu-
ally lived at Ipping House and who might
be Of the greatest use to her.
AS they strolled on, side by side. the
girl elaborated for Horatio's benefit the
same hard-luck story that she had in
vented for Betty on the train, the same
nursery governess struggles. the same
disappointments and humiliations, only
she did the thing much better for Ho-
ratio having had more practice. and,
she finished, the curate'S eyes were filled
with tears.
my dear young lady. am inexpress-
, IDLY touched by your misfortunes. believe
me, am deeply affected" The intensity
of his emotion, as he spoke these words,
| caused the reverend gentleman to open
his pale blue eyes very wide land his
powerful glasses magnified them still
farther), so that Hester thought of him
suddenly as a strange, blue-eyed owl
bending over her, and. to hide her merri-
ment. was forced to turn away.
Look at that queer old girl coming
down the road" she Uttered. feeling that
she must laugh at something.
Queer old girl repeated Horatio. TO-
cusing his vision in this new direction.
"Why, bless my soul, it's Harriet
A moment later Mrs. Merle joined them,
stern of aspect, q female inquisitiOner,
with power of life or death, her husband
felt, over hayward though well meaning
naturalists.
"Horatio!'' breathed the lady, and that
one word held such depths of scorn and
menace that the curate never again
Il 80 Oh,
| ment.
MY dear Harriet" he began, weakly,
but she cut him short.
who is this person. she demanded,
with freezing glance at Hester.
Then came Horatio's great moment,
when, inspired with the courage of de-
spair. he rallied against the breaking
storm, and, for once in his life, as Hiram
Baxter would have expressed it. played
Harriet to a standstill Not one instant
did he give his wife to press her attack.
not one word of explanation or apology
| did he vouchsafe, but by a mastery use
Of the feminine method he put the as
founded lady at once on the defensive
then held her there with admirable STRAIT
egg. then drove her back. point by point,
until she was utterly and ANONYMOUSLY
vanquished.
Il have just been in great peril. my
dear" he answered, gravely. I'm my
stained and disordered garments you may
see evidences of the-er-Struggle.
THE struggle? Horatio? You have
been attacked?' his wife cried. in alarm.
Realizing the value of this suggestion
| and gaining confidence with every word
the curate continued facing Harriet al
most sternly now.
You may see for yourself, my dear.
where the weapon penetrated"
THE weapon? Oh, Horatio!" and she
trembled.
With accusing forefinger as if Harriet
herself were to blame. the curate pointed
to the sinister hole in his boot. There
he said. And if this young lady had
age and resourcefulness that have rare
ly seen equaled-" he paused to control
his emotion, while Mrs. Merle wrung her
hands in distress.
ate," she walled. II shall never forgive
myself. And you, my dear young lady"
she turned her brimmng eyes to Hester.
whose face was averted. what must you
think Of me? Horatio, introduce u.s."
"certainly, my dear, this is my young
friend, MiSs-er-'
Then the adventures decided. Miss
Hester Storm she said. simply. and.
with her wonderful, wistful smile. she
held out her hand to Mrs. Merle.
I'm sure I'm very grateful for what
you've done. Miss Storm" said Harriet,
graciOuSly
And presently these three, such was
macy, were walking on most amicably
toward tipping House, the subject of con-
versation being the wrongs suffered by
Hester in a thankless world and the OBJ
legation of the Merles to now, in some
measure, relieve these wrongs. 1t may
be added that never. to the end OF her
days, did Harriet Merle fully and clearly
grasp the details of the terrible danger
from which this dark-eyed damSel had
saved her husband.
AS turn in the road brought into view
the tiny gable of the gray-stone lodge OF
tipping House. Harriet saw an opportu-
nifty to prove the genuineness Of her peni-
tence and gratitude.
1T have it, she exclaimed, with a
pleased look. THE very thing, Ho-
ratio.''
what. my dear?''
"Old Mrs. POttle.''
'You mean" he glanced beneNOlently
at Hester.
II mean that Miss Storm has no place
to go in Ippingford. no friends except
ourselves and-there are two spare rooms
at the lodge. / am sure Cousin Hiram
would have no objections. and poor Mrs.
Pottle needs some one to help her. Would
you mind helping at the lodge. my DEAR"
mo. indeed answered Hester, sweet
ly II am only too glad to help. It's
SO kind of you and your husband to give
me the opportunity.
Thus it came about that the following
evening, Hester of the scarlet cloak was
watching eagerly near the lodge when
Hiram Bakers big automobile swung in
through the gate and moved swiftly up
the drive with q musical murmur of it's.
smooth running engine. On the back
seat was Miss Elizabeth Thompson. and
Hester thrilled with excitement as she
recognized the fair American. the lady
of the golf bag Here was her chance,
her great chance, but-she had one mis-
giving, Miss Thompson knew her as Jenny
Regain. and now she had given the cur9te
and his Wife her real name, Hester
Storm.
Cu pTER. WIT