The Washington times., 1913-10-11
Wh.s I-don's know won't hurt me- j

lily OF the garden party, save for the
shortnesn OF the ikirt. The owner oi
the costume that she had borrowed
was evidently considerably shorter
than herself. for the skirt, with hei
seem almost like a little girl shs
flushed Ina family a: she saw me study.
Doesn't hurt at ALL" I answered.
after a pause. Please tell me where
we are-if you know"
We're in West Virginia." she an.
sSwered, seating herself at the side Of
7 didn't think we'd made tina. far" 1
commented.
Jus a little way over the line she
went on. They've been down to see
tne aeropiahe; It's wrecked completely,
It's pityr'
Il can build another" 1 said care
iessly. But go on"
1t was a masquerade We came to-
she continued. There's big house
PIE. They're out riding to the hounds
this morning. They couldn't believe at
Querade."
- II thought they'd never wake up" ,
ed. This Is Major Nesbitt's house; he &
some big man in this part Of the State,
I understand. The major and his wife
are entertaining about twenty young
people here, and last night there were 9
lot Of the neighbors too. They're doins
everything in the world for us. Do. you
remember the little girl In the Gains
borough hat?"
/ nodded.
That's their daughter She's ador-
able. able, Im-rm wearing one Of her
SO see" 1 answered. xiancinx down
Mary tucked her feet beneath the
chair and went on:
DIR. Graham lives near here. He's
they're so interested in what happened
to US. They wouldn't believe q lot of IL
until they found the machine"
Have you told them anything"
"Not-everything," she answered slow
y: but a good deal. They think It's
well, Is it," I asked. bluntly.
Il don't know. l suppose II depends
on the point Of view. Major Nesbttt 10
a dear, and So is Mrs. Nesbitt. They
want US to stay Just as long as we Will
The party has Just begun ,,.s S.., ar, .. !"
oh! / don't know I answered try
ing to move II.
From what I could see. 1t looked Ike
a pretty nice place In which to stay. IL
was restful: 1t seemed like home.
1T seems queer to be uninyi.sd sues u',,
they Really seem to want VS., Dan
liked her to call me Dan; l ley
quiet and closed my eyes, ietuhs the
word sink In.
And while / can," she said, her voice ice
sinking low, Il want to thank you ior
~ - h,,,a dome for me. to thank you
from the bottom OF my hearI
~ don't see what YOU have 70 tnahk
me for" I answered, opening my eses
and reaching for her hands. ""hats
been accomplished? .u., Oh.
1--WE escaped from the spell she
whispered. ITS all past now; n.
found one of her hands and held "
Then it has. indeed. been worth
whiIe,' ans9ered. rssn her
For q minute sne let me keop nv
coal. slender fingers; then. with sua-
dem contraction OF her forehead and a
Snorn intake of her breath. she drew her
hand away and began staring out Oh
tba sunlit window 1t was as some
had flashed upon her: i Jay
there smiling. There was sonetnihs
knew. and Mary didn't. ,5
Then came a knock on the door, anu
Major Nesbitt entered the room;
Good morning and congratuiatlohs,,
he said. as he crossed over 10 the -
nv Graham tells me there IL nothing
serious. l am glad, sir-very glad! ana
7 uish to apologize for myself, my Fam
inv and nv guests. We were very hlow
IA understand last night-unpardonapiy
slow. FEAR that we caused you unnec-
ss.arv main. Miss Donaldson"-he turn
ed to her with a courtly bow-"has tola
ne much of your adventure, MT. MANS
held. 1t Is extraordinary-very ex
nj
and Mrs. Nesbitt that you should remain
with us as long as you will. We should
be charmed II you could remain until
Won are completely recovered, sir. we
wish to add you and Miss Donaldson 10
DUR house party. We shall try to make
4 congenial The house Is yours; our
is yours. My daughter Is
already in love with your faneee. Sir.
We feel honored to have you both.
|, confused way tried to thank the old
gentleman who stood at my bedside.
Xhy was IL that all these people as
,umed that Mary was my fiancee?
After a further urging OF his cordial
invitation to remain his guests Major |
Sesbitt withdrew. and Mary escaped !
With him. tried to detain her. She af-
ected not to understand. but could |
,ot fall to note the high color in ner |
'heeks. as she followed MN out or ne |
DOM. |
After that they left ME alone for a |
While. occupied the time in trying |
q summarize events and put them into |
heir relations to one another. What |
vas the result Of 1t all?
First, 7 had been mysteriously Fhad- |
WED at the behest of n tall man. Then |
had passed under an alias at the |
White House. had committed an ap-
,arent robbery OF a messenger boy. I |
lad forced nv wav into a strange |
Iouse and explored u like a burglar I |
lad played the bandit In a prominent ]
Iotel. I had lost the hand q Q LADY,