Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-31
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR AUGUST 81. 1918

about Them as though it were but yesterday set the
stray string twanging and made the old wound ache
again.
until the dull pain died down into the old placdty and
indifference; then calmly went down the slope and
round the loop of the road that led to the gates He
surprised to find them swung back upon their hinges
and looking UP the drive between the doube row of
standard trees that the lower windows of the
house open. Early the hour was, his arrival
expected by the caretaker in charge of the place. for
within hour after his return to his hotel the day be-
fore telephone message from Henry Jessop had pre-
pared him for that.
Cardyce walked up the drive with crisp steps and
have it in his or her poverty George!-to tell her
when she that he had acted other than man
who utterly Indifferent to his surroundings, and
be touched by things that had to do with her
than she might be by things that had to do with him.
But apparently there pryng eye in the case at
ALL and finding the door unfastened he opened it and
Yes, decidedly he was alone No caretaker: nothing
at all but long dark travelling cloak the hall tabea
leather dressing bag the chair beside it, stiffness that
scarcely more than merely disturbed by an occa-
siona noise from the direction of the library some
body engaged in the pastme of tearing leaves out OF
books and that Close stale, dusty smell which belongs
to neglected and long unaired houses
Cardyce kicked the door to with his heel walked with
loud clicking footsteps the polished oak floor and
raped loudly the hall table. Il say he sang out in
that utterly unnatural tone when he is
enceavoring to make his voice carry to great distance
@Caretaker! Porter Is there anybody here?'
The noise like the sound OF tearing leaves ceased abb
rupty, and another voice-a wornans voice, pitched
like his to unnatural key, in order that might be
heard through closed door-fairly screamed back,
ehf the san all on pan
1Well, of all the cheek" commented Cardyce; then
walked straightway down the hall to the second door
on the right opened it, and stepped in with the amabe
intention of giving the caretaker piece of his mind.
RUT although he entered the place aggressively, he
- spoke not word, took not step after that
which brought him over the threshold and presented
him with full back view of woman sitting on the
floor the window engaged in the task of tearing
letters and papers, litter of destruction side OF
her. and big, brass bound-box on the other.
He did not need to see her face to guess to what
depths of double dealing Henry Jessop had descended:
ence of that brass bound box which in the days gone
by, had been the receptacle for their little personal
treasures: these told him, beyond all possibility of
doubt.
She had not desised for instant from the work of
destruction she carrying on when he entered in
deed, she did not much as look up or turn round
The opening of the door, however, told her when he did
come in and she spoke almost on the instant.
"Oh dear! Whatever made you come SO carly MIR.
Holcomb she said 1T was SO late when got here last
night, couldn't do thing but 60 to bed! And have
had time of it since, can you! When got up
that wretched had gone off somewhere, leaving
note to tell that I'd find my breakfast all cooked and
ready but she sorry to have to inform that she'd
been called to Havant to sister who danger
ously ill., and that she wouldn't be back until evening.
I've been at these dreadful things since, and I'm
not even half finished yet What time do have to
be away from here? My heads in such a mudde I
can't remember single thing"
Cardyce that there possibility of evadng
the issue-that is unless he wished give her the i'm
preston that he weak enough to harbor any feeling
that would make meeting painful to hn-and faced
the situation calmly as he could "There isn't any
for haste he said in cold, calm, voice. at
appears that there has been mistake of sort.
You may take your time. 1t doesn't matter"
She flashed round on him at the first word saw him,
a Sheet then rose with little shaky laugh and stood
a moment trembling. "Well, of all the Why, it's