The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-02-21

proclaimed the witchery Of the night.
With a scarcely perceptible tilt,
the boat grounded on the shelving
sandy shore Bedight sprang out
and pulled the craft further upon its
cushioned anchorage. The girl sat
in the boat. intently watching the
mayor That gentleman took from
the locker basket well laden. Quick
ly gathering some dry wood, he
stacked it over a bunch of tinder-
like weeds, touched match to the
pile, set the basket at safe distance
and pulling a revolver from his pocket,
fired in the general direction of the
moon.
Having Inaneuvered thus peculiarly.
he fastened back to the boat, showed
Off and rowed from the shore a hun
dred yards Resting on his oars, he let
the boat toss idly upon the lake. Five,
ten minutes passed The dry wood
burned brightly, making beacon of
light, into the circle of which there
came, at last, three shadows, followed
by unintelligible conversation.
They've found it." said the mayor.
picking up his oars and turning the
boat toward the hotel.
1t was midnight when the sides of
the craft rubbed its sister boats at
Mine Hosts dock The mayor and
the girl crept softly up the winding
pathway toward the hotel. Suddenly,
in the moonlight ahead. the form of
a woman appeared advancing to meet
them. The mayor and the girl saw
her simultaneously. He stopped in
stantIy with a restraining hand upon
the girls arm.
Quick" he commanded, springing
in front of his companion and turning
her about face. Walk rapidly down
the path to the boathouse."
She complied instantly.
Over his shoulder the mayor saw
the woman hesitate, then follow de-
terminedly through the shimmering
60 into the boathouse," directed
Bedight hurriedly. "Wait until | en-
gage her in conversation. Then open
the rear door and run for the hotel.
And be quiet!"
81 understand" whispered the girl,
excitedly.
Slipping through the door, she
closed it softly. Pulling a cigar from
his pocket, the mayor scratched
match on the sole of his shoe and
blew a puff of smoke at the same tar
get which earlier in the evening he
had failed to hit with his leaden mis-
sile.
The woman rounded the corner and
came directly toward him.
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Bedight,"
said Judge Vining in a cold, formal
voice, for following you, but as chap
erone of the young ladies at the hotel
| feel that it was my duty to do SO.
L"
The mayor bowed.
Duty to the one performing it," he
gallantly, is oftentimes
rksome, but begrudgingly done fire.
luently conveys pleasure to another.
your eyes, but find your duty pleases
ne greatly" bowling again. Now, the
The Judge" made deprecating
gesture
DO not attempt to evade," she
warned Il am deeply in earnest
Where is the-the-" She seemed at
/ loss to proceed. Finally she threw
diplomacy to the winds. who was
he girl with you-alone-at this hour
If the night? l have right to know
Ind had thought you gentleman,
.hough l should have known that no
gentleman would have-have-" she
finished lamely.
"Kissed you?" questioned the may
Or, the frivolity scarcely gone from
lis voice
Certainly" she flashed.
Bedight puffed thoughtfully at his
cigar. the fragrant pungency of the