The Washington times., 1913-10-14
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued)
<.- RANKLYN YORKE! If yol
- can get him you'll be for
tunate. / met him last yea

- can get him you'll be for
tunate. / met him last year
when he was in Washington
on that international assassination
case. He's really a most remarkable
man, and he'll be right in his element
in a case with such-if you don't mind
my saying so-such bizarre elements
as this one presents
only hope Phil can get him; he seem
confident that he can" said Bertram.
Hello, it's full hour now since they
started-I must phone Albany. Come
and have a look at Dysart and tell me
what you think of his condition. and
then help me get Albany. Is Lucy
asleep, Mr.. Ashley"
Il think So" Madge replied; The
poor girl was quite worn out with ex-
I'm awake" interrupted Lucille, in a
small, forlorn voice, as she appeared.
Il did sleep a little but I'm glad I'm
awake again-I had such horrid dreams.
Worse even than the terrible reality
about poor Victoria" Her eyes blurred
controllably, like child's, as she spoke.
Poor little girld" said her husband,
pausing as he passed into the hall.
'It won't do any good dear, to grieve
sor'
I'VE cannot help her by crying now,
Lucille" said Madge resolutely
enough, although there was a hint of
tears IN her own voice as she spoke.
I'VE can only help her by caring for
Dysart and trying to console him in
his sorrow"
And by finding the vile creature
who-who killed her, poor darling,
and-and see that he SUFFERS sobbed
Lucille.
Suddenly she checked her sobs,
dabbed at her eyes with a hopelessly
wet and sodden little wad Of handker-
chief. and looked carefully about to
see that she and Madge were quite
alone.
Then leaning forward, she put her
hand on Madge's and said very seri-
ously: have no right to make such
an assertion aa this, l know. and
haven't particle Of proof. butt do
believe Victoria thought that some
thing might happen to her sooner or
later! l don't mean that she actually
anticipated being murdered, but she
mas acted for months almost as If
a sword was suspended over her head
Haven't you noticed it,"
Why? Tell me what makes you
think So" Madge asked, ignoring the
others question and cycling her keen
~ and narrowly from beneath half
cioSoe Ids.
AS a matter of fact. che had for some
trait and worried and that her gayety
was trffe forced. but little casual
subtle incidents had suggested the
thought to her, which would have en-
tirefy escaped the bland, unsuspecting
gaze 'of Lucille
II the latter had arrived at the same
opinion. then 1t must have been from
obvious signs. which would have been
as 80 much proof to keener eyes.
Well. I don't know what did first
put the idea in my head that everything
was not quite right with Victoria
that something was troubling her 1t
began early last winter. think.
She seemed gradually to lose her
brightness and vivacity, and her face
grew pale and that strained look came
about her eyes-you know what / mean?
toria!
she used to take such an interest
in Dysarts studies and researches that
began to be afraid all that morbid
stun was preying on her mind. Sud-
denly. however. she showed a distinct
aversion to Dysart's work, and didn't
even want to discuss II. II anyone men,
ticned II she seemed to become agitated
at once. and almost afraid
You must have noticed yesterday at
tea how upset she appeared when Dy-
sert was explaining his theory to us
You are so constantly with her you
must surely have noticed the change in
her this past year"
We'll" MadGe conceded. when re-
turned to town from Aiken in the earl!
spring / thought she was unusually
nervous and tired-looking. but I at
tributed II to an ever-strenuous social
season-victoria never was particularly
strong you know.
LucilIe shook her head decidedly.
NO, il wasn't that" she said def
ritely. II wasn't realt' sure there was
anything seriously wrong. TO matter
how much ] fancied. all during thn
spring hut since we've been up here
have been certain OF IT"
But how? What has happened here
TO convince you? Surely. surely YOU are
mistaken. Lucille. Don't let this ter
rible thing lead you I" imagine all sorts
Of fearful plots and things
IT suppose Victoria had the ordinary
little worries and troubles which we
can none OF us ESCAPE. hut as for any
thing else. anv secret which depressed
her or gave her apprehension for the
future-anv secret which mi"ht have
led to this-oh. it's unbelievable"
Lucille compressed h"r lips but re-
mained silent. while Madge watched her
with deepening anxiety. What could
have happened. here In the wilderness.
to open Lucille's gnileless ewes?
Could il be that this impression they
had both received OF some repressed
trouble in Victoria's life had n real
foundation in some u"dreamed-nf and
terrible mystery? But the cOnCert'on Of
such secret In cnnnectio" With Vic
torie was vPritabl" niThtmare-Vic
toria whose whole life was an open
book,
Rut the thought ken recurring to
Nadge-what had Lucille seen-what
change had these weeks in the lodge
brought TO Victoria?
What makes you certain Victoria