The Washington times., 1913-10-10
CHAPTER I.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER 1.-(Contlnued.)
n n ADGE glanced at Victoria, who
Nn was staring at her husband
with eyes which seemed to leap
from her colorless face in a
growing, vainly suppressed horror and
dread
No" Dysart was saying, his eager,
scholarly face alive with conviction and
enthusiasm, Il do not say hat every
descendant Of every criminal must in
turn commit a crime, else would the
world be Inundated with them, since
Cain slew Abel, and Eve broke the law
Of God.
But 1 do claim that If the anteced-
ents OF everyone who murders or does
any other hideous deed could be search
ed there would be found one or more
among that persons ancestors, near or
far, who had actually committed, or had
shown violent tendencies toward Just
such a similar act.
That among the children or grand
children or great-grandchildren of that
descendants, there will be one at least.
who will at some time display the same
tendencies. And ! believe that such
persons should be as carefully sequest-
cred as though in quarantine
Heavens exclaimed Mrs. ASHLEY.
I maJ be descended from Dick Tur-
pln CT Lucrezia Bo-gia for all l know,
and I'm quite sure that Bingham Ash
ley came from much worse. but you
can't make me believe that my Betty
would be likely to indulge in any dark
caree of blood and atrocity.''
A swift, tolerant smile lighted Dysart's
face, making him for just an instant
as yirid'y masnetir as his younger
brother. Then he said quietly:
II don't mean just that 1 haven't
made myself clear. Take eny of the
murders whose atrocities have been
hideous enough to stir the country Iur-
ing the past generation CT twC-Abanell,
CoTte, Smock.
THE families and descendants nf
these people invariably disappear into
the dimmest obscurity, as though the
earth opened and engulfed them; yet
If they could be traced, 1 am convinced
that one at least of them will prove
TO be connected with some other Similar
crime perpetrated in precisely the same
manner, and usually for the same or
fancied motive. should circumstances
force him or her to pass where such
"a deed should have been eXpedient-
lat least that one or more will have a
tendency toward this act whether il
lies dormant or not
THAT one at least from every three
subsequent generations shall be of
such a caiber-they cannot escape the
rnmutable law. There seems to be no
system have get been able 20 discover
which governs the descent of this
hideous legucy.
lieve there's any possibility of such a
thing, do you? Bertrams fat face was
red and perspiIing- That is Madness"
We shall see" replied Dysart quietly.
"Victoria,' cried Lucille suddenly,
starting up. Victoria. are you ill?"
Victoria was lying back quietly in her
chair. her face deathly pale, a little
graz shadow gathered about her eyes
and mouth.
At LuciIie's call she raised herself
with an effort from her chair and stood
half swaying, her fingers pressed hard
rpon the table before her, as If for sup
port.
I'm not ill.," she cried smiling slow
ly. But I'm little tired. l think. and
the heat Lucille suppose We go
and tidy up a bit for dinner.
You come, too Madge; You look as
cool and perfectly self-posseessed as you
always do. but I'm quite sure a speck
of powder or two"
Decidedly catfish of you" remarked
Mrs. Ashley, rising lazily; but she eyed
heI hostess with compassionate keen
ness as she spoke.
II was just. beginning TO be amused
A man who won't talk when one
chances to cross my path-always an
Toys me by his possibilities. and this Is
the very first occasion in all my long
acquaintance with your wonderful hus-
band when ne has loosened. so 10 speak,
the mantle of his fmpenetrability, and
you lure me away with rice powder"
Inconsistency, thou art woman"
murrnured Phillip Merrinan, as she
passed him.
There is only one kind Of person who
reminds a woman of her caprices-and
Mr.. Barnum said one of him was born
every minute" and she made a little
grtmace at him frCm the door
He grinned appreCiatively. and set
tiled back IN his chair. His eye wander
ed toward Bertram, who seemed un-
Usually preoccuPied. and then on to
Robin.
What Is the program for tomorrow"
he asked. We don't make an early
start, do we?"
Robin laughed.
Indeed. no." he said Well loaf
around here all day and start up Moe
casin river about sundown. We ought
10 make a splendid catch by moonlight
you'll like the sport of II. old man, If
you've never gone in for II before"
But Phillip did not reply. The new
maid, Mary, had appeared to remove
the tea things and he watched her
steadily.
She did not once raise her eyes. how
ever. but swiftly rearranged her tray.
and disappeared. At that moment Mrs.
Van Rensselaer's voice was heard call
ing 70 Robin.
After he had gone into the house the
conversation among the three men was
desuItory until Dysart, with an apology
TO his guests and a suggestion that
they order more cracked ice for them
selves retired 10 his study for a half
hours work Then Bertram said.
gloomily:
''T suppose we ought to tell them.
PhiI-well be making rather asses or
ourselves, and | suppose th~re's no real
harm in her hiring herself out as
maid If she rishes 10.
mo harm In thA.A Sut just exactly