The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-04

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Carew, who had lived most of her
twenty years abroad, and he had no
more tolerance for her opinion than
he had for anybody else's that did not
agree with his.
They may be plotting to rob
bank" he abruptly bent the talk back
to the paramount topic.
Van Vechten regarded him with a
far-aWay look.
Cor starting a dramatic school," he
added, 'or condemning vivisection or
woman suffrage, OR something equally
CHASTITY. Drop it, Tom; that's my ad-
vice. Sitting comfortably at a window
and waiting for whatever surprises our
House of Mystery may have to dis
close, is one thing; actively interfering
with something that does not in the
least concern US, is quite another. If
there really is any mystery, and it is
to be dealt with at all, it calls for
thin, keen blade, net bludgeon."
IF that's some of your pink-tea w.t."
growled Tom, "a bludgeon is mighty
good thing to have when you are deal
ing with crooks"
"Doubtless-when the crooks do not
fight with rapiers. I'll give you a
chance to break even; you don't want
to owe me hundred, l suppose?"
The troubled look, result of unwont-
ed mental effort, was instantly erased
from the handsome boyish face.
mo, 1 don't. I'm on, if you're bet
ting nobody will show up at one"
Either end you like. A hundred
says no man will enter thirteen-thir-
teen at one o'clock"
Which was very decent and accom-
modating of Van Vechten, considering
that he would have been rather sur
prised than otherwise If one o'clock
came and went without bringing a
fresh arrival. And there was another
arrival, and he was surprised-very
much surprised. And Tom Phinney
lost his second wager, too, which he
could i'll afford to do.
This was the way of it
1t was very close to one when they
resumed their seats. Alexander, with
patient disappointment, reported that
nothing at all had happened. Then
cab whirled madly up and came to a
skidding stop in front of Number 1913.
A lady hastily descended, a fashion
ably gowned lady, who fairly ran up
| the steps; and before she had time
even to touch the bell the door swung
open and she darted through the open
ing and was swallowed up.
Tom was indignant and Disguised.
Now what do you think of that!"-:
! giving the exclamation the slangiest
sort of intonation. He was, of course,
thinking only of the outcome of the
bet.
But Van Vechten had not heard. The
! instant the woman appeared at the top
of the stoop-until then the cab had
partially concealed her-he startled
| Tom into forgetfulnesS of his disap-
! pointment, by bounding from his chair
At the same time he smothered an ex-
| late, was a good deal more indicative
of agitation and amazement than
Toms had been.
What the dickens!" Tom cried.
Van Vechten slowly sank back into
his seat again.
Il thought-for a moment" he
muttered vaguely. eff l did not posi-
lively know to the contrary, l should
| say"
He left it unsaid, however. The cab
turned and departed, and the young
man sat staring in perplexed way at
the closed door. 1t was as silent and
illegible as it had been for months,
the windows all as irresponsible, the
sooty facade as sphinxlike.
Tom was still contemplating his
| friend in bewilderment.
You didn't by any chance think 1t
was Miss Carew. did you?" he asked.
The other bent startled look upon
him.
Paige? Heavens, no! Don't be a
blooming idiot. 1t was a young girl
though. l couldn't see her face, but
for second l thought she was some
one l know-a much older woman
The words trailed off.
There followed a moment of silence
then he announced with quiet de-
cision:
tom, l believe my interest is re
viving. If you don't mind, my dea,
fellow, we shall see whether this is an
occasion calling for an outsiders inter
ference"
Tom chortled. Enter, a girl, and
the bludgeon is to be supplemented by
a keen, thin blade.'"
Just so, old man." drawled his
| friend.
But these two puzzled young ner
were not afforded much time to ex
! change views upon the newest develop
| ment. Without the slightest forewarn
ing of the gravity OF what was about
to happen, Number 1913 gave them
the most startling episode so far o.
the day.
The door had been closed behind the
girl a minute or such a matter, wheI
Van Vechten and Phinney saw i
| iarked nartially omen and at once