The Washington times., 1913-06-19

II by, her unwilling companion
who recognized him at once, in
| spite of his altered dress and bearing.
| They were swallowed up in q. the crowd
before Douglas had recovered himself.
Something In Cicely's terrified gaze had
/, instantly checked his first instinct
which prompted him to accost them.
speechless and bewildered. He stag
gered into a small restaurant, and sit
ting at an unoccupied table, called for
a bottle of wine.
With the first draft his courage re-
| turned. his mental perspective COM
Joan were in London; Cicely had seen
him. Joan had not From the first he
ha realized that there was danger to
him in this encounter. Cicely had seen
him, but she had made no motion Of
recognition: she had obviously refrained
presence.
From this he concluded that while
she believed in him and was still his
friend, Joan was his enemy. He rolled
cigarette with nervous fingers and
lighted it. Did Joan suspect that he
for him? To the world in general
Douglas Guest was dead. How was 1t
with these two girls?
There were various small reasons why
they might be inclined to doubt what
to other people would seem obvious.
He recalled Joans face. grim and for
bidding enough, almost a tragfcal hg-
ure in her black garb. as severe ana
somber as a country dressmaker could
fashion II. He must get to know these
things He must find Cicely. He walked
Theoretically back to the office Of the
Courier where he found some work.
which, for the time. completely en-
crossed him.
The next morning the following ad-
yertisement appeared in most OF the
London newspapers:
ITO c. s.: | must see you. BRUSH
Museum today at g."
For three days Douglas watched in
vain. On the fourth his heart gave
great leap, for a somber little nsure
stepped out from an omnibus al tne cor
ner OF Russell square and stood hesl-
tatingly upon the pavement looking IN
through the iron bars at the museum.
He came across the street to her
boldly-she turned and saw him: After
all, their greeting approached the con-
yentional. He remembered to raise his
hat-she held out her hand-would have
withdrawn it. but found II already
''Cicely. How good Of you. You saw
my advertisement?
Yes"
And YOU saw me in the Strand. but
you would not speak to me. was that
because of Joan?"
Yes"
Il want to talk to you, he said i
have so much to say"
She raised her eyes to his. and he
saw for the first time how much thinner
she was
Douglas" she said. there is some
thing l must ask you first OF all. be-
fore / stay with you for a moment.
Must I put II into words?
Il do not think you need. Cicely; he
answered 81 went to your fathers
room that night beyond a doubt. but |
never raised my hand against him. !
should have very hard work to prove
1t. / fancy. but i am wholly innocent
of his death-innocent. that is to say.
so far as any direct action of mine was
concerned"
"Ah"'
She drew a long. deep breath of re-
lief. Then she looked up to him with
a smile.
II. yet II is a great weight from my
heart to hear you say So Now. can
YOU take me somewhere where we can
talk? / am afraid of the streets. / will
tell you afterward."
He called a hanson and handed her
in. After a moments hesitation he gave
the address OF the restaurant where he
had first met Rice"
III
explained to her apologetically. but We
can talk freelv there"
Anywhere" she answered. How
strange II seems to be herein London
with you"
There was a sense OF unreality about
I to him. hut he only laughed.
Now tell me about Joan"
She hesitated.
''It will not be pleasant
81 do not deserve that It should be-"
he answered gravely.
she has always been quite sure that
IL was not you who was killed In the
railway accident. She even imbued me
with that belief"
Her instinct there, at any rate. was
tire enough he answered.
..She also believes" C'cely continued.
more slowly. that you robbed and muir
dered father"
Douglas shivered. II was hard even
nov to recall that night unmoved.
"Well?''
oShe has made 10 her mind that you