The Washington times., 1913-10-12

w she has oversight" Mrs.
Ashley. Robin, and Dysart
were gathered on the veranda an hour
later, awaiting the appearance of the
hostess and the sound of the breakfast
gong.
BY Jove, it is late!' said Robin,
looking at his watch. Il wonder what
is delaying breakfast. Did you see Vic
toria this morning, Dysart? Maybe she
has a headache and doesn't feel like
getting up
Il didn't see her-I tapped at her door
as 1 passed and called out to her TO
hurry down"
Suppose l run up TO her room and
tell her we've been out on the lake and
we're all starving-shall I?' suggested
Mrs. Ashley. a bit anXiOusly. II hope
she isn't III"
We'll send Mary up" replied Robin,
ringing the bell. I'VE can begin break
fast without Victoria if she is still
resting
A kitchen maid appeared in answer to
the bella painfully shy and embar-
rassed young woman, who twisted her
Redeemed hands awkwardly in her apron
at thus unexpectedly being thrust into
a situation new TO her.
Il had to answer the bell, sir. Mary.
AHc anu CODh SdIl lIIiN
her nowhere, sir. She amt anywheres
in the house or around. Her things is
all in her room, but upset like, and
she's gone"'
,.Gone!" echoed Robin sharply.
Where can she have gomez
Il don't know, sir. There amt any
where's up here for her to go to. but We
can't find her. The last We seen of her
was when she took Mrs. Van Rens-
selaers chocolate up to her. Shall 1
serve breakfast, sir?'
Yes" Dysart spoke in reply. Then
as she disappeared: "Victoria's had her
chocolate, so she's probably dressing.
We won't wait for her
IF you don't mind, I'll go up for just
minute. and speak to her" said Mrs.
Ashley, rising. Il won't be long"
Maybe Victoria sent the girl over to
the Goodalls for something-it's not
more than half a mile over the back
trail, remarked Robin, when he and
his brother were alone.
Perhaps" answered Dysart, but II
would be strange thing for her TO do.
] wonder-
A scream rang suddenly through the
house-a piercing, prolonged scream.
which seemed to reverberate through
the quiet rooms and echo back from
the dense grown, softly rustling trees.
There came second scream, wilder
and more shrill than the first and then
silence-silence save for the sound of
a body plunging, falling, dragging itself
ever nearer.
The two men sprang to their feet at
the first cry and then stood as II
paralyzed, waiting.
Suddenly Mrs. Ashley appeared, stag
gered through the open easement, and
where she crouched like some wounded
thing, her whole body twitching con-
VulsNely, her face distorted and gray
with an unspeakable horror.
viciorIs she he gasPSa he'd, Oh oh my my Cod
God in heaven, you must not go; you
must not see her, Dysart,
But Dysart did not hear her last
words
The dreamy, introspective look had
left his face, which was scared with a
sudden fearful apprehension. At the
mention Of his wife's name he sprang
through the easement and dashed UP
the stairs
ders and forced her tc sit upright-to
face him.
What is it? Tell me. What has
happened to Victorian" he commanded.
his tones harsh with anxiety and
Mrs. Ashley raised her head and tried
vainly TO speak. but her voice failed.
Finally she managed by a supreme
effort to partially control herself.
She's-dead" she rlurmured family:
oteu iSpcdACO thc "Olh
mechanically. with stiffened lips. It
seemed as if no recognition of the sig
nificance of Mrs. Ashley's cSead mes
sage had penetrated his consciousness.
she is lying on the floor with her
head thrown hack-there IS a great
cash in her throat, and the blood,-I
shall never forget the siGnt of that
blood lying in pools all about her and
creeping ont over the mating"
She was rocking her body to and fro
~ hnr md ha
iucoherently. as if she mus unburden
her mind of some Of The horror which
was consuming her. Robin watched
her with a ghastly, expressionless face
as II he did not hear
Dead" he repeated. DULY Dead.
Victoria-deadt"
Mrs. Ashley started up wildly
oh, We must do something. she
cried. We must get help, Dysart
must not be left alone with that-thats
frightfui thing before his eyes, He
might go mad-he might kill himself,
Go TO your brother, Robin-heTl need
you
These. last words seemed TO rouse
him. His face lost the terrible fixed
stare which had glazed il, and he
brushed his clenched hand hurriedly
across his eyes.
"Dysart-of courseF' he muttered
hoarsely Il must go TO him
Suddenly he dropped his face in his
shaken with heavy. deep, racking
sobs as the overwhelming realization
OF the tragedy swept over him at last.
Mrs. Ashley waited until the storm
OF grief had almost spent itself. then
she laid her hand tenderly on his bowed
head
Dear boy she said gently Dear
Robin. ] know guessed long ago.
And ! think Victoria would want me
TO tell you that she knew II. also. But
We must think of Dysart now"
Robin raised his head. and. without
meeting her eyes, he took her hand 81
lently, and for an instant held il tightly
Then he rose and squared his shoul
ders.
Yes. I'll go to him. VIII you send
some one TO GoOdalls and ask them to
come at once? yacGues had better go
with the motorbdat. That will be quick
est, and he can bring them back
'In attend to II. Get Dysart down
into the library il you can. and-and
lock the bedroom door. The authorities
will have TO see-everyth!ng. just as
We found it. YOU know. Hurry-I am
fearful for Dysart,"
Robin passed his hand again across
his eyes and stepped resolutely within
Mrs. Ashley meditated for a moment
and then rang the bell
Your mistress is ILL she said when
the same Ungainly kitchen maid who
had previously obeyed the summons
appeared.
She has met with an accident, and
must on no account be disturbed. None