The Washington times., 1913-09-22

|, pushing the button several times. with
short pauses between.
Presently the cautious raising OF a
window attracted my attention, and a
glance told me that it was on the lower
fioor; but the light in the front room
had been extinguished.
who is it?''
/ knew the voice in q moment 1t
was tremulouS now.
Nobody but L." I answered.
She knew mine, too. for there was
an exclamation OF astonishment and
dismay.
"you-you have followed me-" she
said, after a pause.
l stepped down ON the lawn and
looked up at the window, a few feet
above me, but could not see her figure
in the dimness.
of course" | answered.
What do you want?''
An explanation.
There was a moment Of silence and
then ner low-pitChed voice said
Go away-pIease! / beg of you, You
you don't understand"
Il certainly do not" answered
promptly. That's why 1 came"
But l cannot tell you anything. Will
you go away?'
ITO do me An everlasting favor will
you 20 away?'
I'm tired of doing you favors," I
answered roughly.
There was a moment Of silence. then
the window-sash descended-which 1
took to be signal that our conversa-
ton was at an end.
At times | am stubborn. Now, I was
not merely stubborn. but angry. / was
resolved to see the thing through to
some more lucid conclusion than this.
went back to the porch anG re-
sumed my ringing Of the bell / kept
II up for ten minutes, perhaps, bring
ing no response whatever. Then I sat
down on the top step, propped my
back against the railing and lighted q
cigar. L would stay there, / decided,
until had further speech with her.
or until somebody came out and threw
me into the street. The night was
able.
Perhaps half an hour elapsed when
/ heard the window softly raised
again.
Please so away
oh; no." ] answered cheerfully.
what are You going to do?''
Sit here till daylight. IL necessary -
1uivered. '0'e
Then I'll stay out" I answered.
It's cutie restful here
There was stified exclamation of
netp'sssness net sss mx isd was glad that I could
her weapons. She might have van
quished me with those, but thev were
hidden IN the darkness of the wfndou
6ut some6ody-may come" the
Then I'll have COMPANY"
Please-please go, Mr.-Mr."
You know the name"
There was another haif-snothered
exclamation. g"
'.Yorl 7 Lpno-
Certainly. I'm your man. Won know
You were to make my acquaintance. IL
you recollect. You were to locate
something. and he was to attend 10 the
rest. Have you forgotten that"
There was sharp low cry from the
WINDOW. 1oilowed by gasp and a mo-
How did you know that-how cnuld
you? I-F'-- ''
Let me in. and I'll tell you how
know" | answered.
II dare not
II don't think you're carrvin, M, ,o,,-
bargain with the tall man" | obserTeJ
Ihats-thats what I'm afraid of,''
This was accompanied by something
that sounded like a sob.
Then i advise you to let me in
There was a pause after this. ana
then the window was slowly closed
Certainly. the conduct of my i,av
mystified me beyond all measure
could make nothing Of It. Yet was
more determined than ever not to ahans
don my quest of an explanation. had
settled back against the railing when
heard the slipping of a bolt behind me
and the rattle of a chain.
/ arose as the door opened SLOWLY
and saw there was a light in the hail
IF you won't go, come in she whis-
pered. Hurry
! stepped across the threshold, and
the great door closed behind me- There
was a vestibule. then an inner door.
preceded her into the hall, and she
closed the second door also.
Then | turned to look at her. She
was leaning back against the wall, one
hand clasped at her throat. Her scar
let cloak had been thrown aside and
she was again the slender, white
gowned figure of the White House.
Only the figure was dropping now, and
very weary and pitiful And her eyes,
There was terror in them. j have seen
the same look in the eyes of a fright
ened deer. and 1t has never failed to
arouse in me quick compassion.
Don't be frightened. Mary" ! said
gently. I'm not going to hurt You
It's just going to be friendly talk
4 Confirmation Of This Story VIII