The Washington herald., 1913-01-05

drawing room and sat down. waiting
for a further explanation on her part.
She was q rarely beautiful creature and
the idea that any man could harbor
thoughts against this exquisite life hlled
my soul with horror.
"The will is IN the safe. but the safe
Is In the library. Wait till go and see
II the papers are intact" She hurried
from the room. leaving me with a sense
OF utter bewilderment There was some
thing about her present actions that
could not understand. She was gone
fully five minutes. When she returned
she was very pale. but all her agitation
was gone or suppressed The will is
there: nothing. as yet. has been disturbed
Tell me all you know"-looking anxious
ly at the clock, the hands of which were
now close upon midnight.
Yes, I have a terrible enemy. who
seeks my life at every turn"-her slen-
der fingers snarling and unsnarling.
l nodded comprehensively. You ought
never to be alone" said.
| 81 realize that This will leaves
mo untold mining property. I, To my
horror ] must confess that this man
Is a near relative"
| your brother7" I whispered
Heavens, no! A cousin; yes. that is
II, n cousin. l live from day to day In
constant misery"
'Frightful!"
Els II not? And am 30 young," Then
she proceeded to tell me what believed
to be the family history. II was mar
velously complicated.
Tt seems Incredible observed: yet
we read OF like tales every day in the
newspapers"
my thanks to you. sir. You have put
I'd had ri
uncle"
'UncIe?'
did i say uncle ?"-with a catchy sort
of laugh IT meant cousin. I was going
to say that had heard he had left the
country"
But why did she watch me so close
ly? Every move I made caused her to
start When I turned down the collar
OF the other fellows coat. she shuddered;
when I drew of my gloves, she paled:
when I folded my arms. she sent a terri
fed glance toward the door. ] could not
make any sense out OF her actions.
ITO prove the manner of his entrance,
let me see II the bow-window Is unlatch-
cd. But watt cried. producing the
frayed envelope. Listen to this and see
how carefully he planned II, the rascai"'
then read to her the scribbling, putting
careful emphasis on the bow-window and
not mind. I'll try the window"
Sure enough. II was Unattached!
You seeP' cried trtumphantly.
The wild look returned TO the girls
eyes.
"Let-let me see that paper.'-holding
one hand to her throat while the other
she stretched out toward me.
/ gave the paper TO her. She glanced
at It. dropped II. and burst into tears
Good heavens ] cried.
Then she laughed shrirly and hysteric-
ally.
What is the matter7'
You positively came here. then, to
do me a real service: and all the while
I have been thinking that you were
a
What"
"A lunatic"'-coverinG her face.
"A. Iunatic?'' was absolutely dunn
founded
Yes: and when left the room IT was
simply TO call the police. The manner
Of your entrance-the incredible thing
you told me-sir, there Is some dreadful
mistake. l haven't an enemy IN the
whole world. There is no will in the
safe. My brother and / live with our
aunt. who owns this house. We have no
property whatever. What I have been
telling you was in the effort to keep you
in good humor till the police arrived. But
what can II all mean? II Is simply in
credible"
! picked up the envelope and stared at
II stupidity. The address is the same"
l said, trying TO find something TO stand