The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-02-14


sat still.
But. why?" And there was a hint
OF suspicion in the look she gave me.
"Eie Is asleep" | told her. And
when she had relaxed into the great
chair again. | added. temporizing, mir.
Bryan will let US know when he
wakens."
Her disappointment was undis-
guised. and in secret sympathized
with her. She was experiencing some
thing of that which had come to me
when Bryan had refused me converse
with his patient But II were better
to divert than to commiserate. and so
said:
This is the day am TO hear from
Miss Clement"
rs 2" she asked. indifferently, the
disappointment still ranking. IL didn't
know"
"SEe has promised me important in
| formation before three O'Clock. II she
keeps her word, this whole perplexing
mystery may very shortly be cleared
| dp."
| iSH tHdl Wndl yOu Wouiu Vail
J supererogatory? she asked, smiling.
II should think Uncle Robert could tell
all that Is needed, now, himself"
was at loss for moment how 10
answer her; and in that moment the
telephone broke in, and did away with
the necessity OF response.
| The instrument was on the writing
table al my elbow, and with Shall
I?' 10 Evelyn, took the receiver from
the hook and bent to the transmitter.
Eyes" said, Miss Grayson is here.
Who is it, please?" | thought recog-
nized Miss Clements voice. and | was
not wrong. But. after all, 1t was
she wanted, She had called up my
rooms and my office, and, unable to
get me at either place, had taken the
chance that Evelyn might aid her 10
my discovery.
You have learned something" ]
asked, Disgusting as we'll as could my
burning interest. Ii possible, would
keep from Evelyn the least suggestion
of how vitality important | regarded
the news hoped for
81 hardly know how to explain IL to
you came Miss Clements reply. II
was on the verge of what | am sure
was a most pregnant revelation. |
was TO be given names and dates and
circumstances. ] had been promised
these by one In whom put the great
est reliance And now | am asked to
wait another twenty-four hours. Some
thing has happened, my confidant tells
me- something puzzling and utterly
unexpected, and those who know most
Of the matter are now most at sea"
Evelyn must nave seen me smile.
II was quite evident to me that Miss
Clement was in touch with some one
we'll informed, but ii was not that
| which provoked the smile. ] smiled
because felt that Cameron in some
way had outwitted his captors and
| gained his freedom. This was the UNI
expected happening which had thrown
the villainous slant-eyed camp into
confusion, and rejoiced at my friends
intrepidity.
And So" | said to Miss Clement,
you wish me to wait another day."
II think 1t would be worth while, ="
she answered.
And do, too" told her. 81 don't
suppose you've seen an afternoon pa
per- have you?" went on. well. they
contain some news OF interest. They
say that Mr.. Cameron came home last
night, and for once, at least, they tell
what is very nearly the truth"
II sincerity ever carried over wire
ii carried then in Miss Clements con.
gratulations, and there was something
almost divine In her forbearance to
ask for particulars. She congratulated
Evelyn. too, and promised to come to
see her. soon; and then once more she
assured me that she would yet learn
everything we could possibly care to
know.
"The Chinese" she added, ARE a de-
liberate race, Mr.. Clyde. They refuse
to be hurried. But eventually We shall
have our answers"
With Evelyn beside me the hours no
longer dragged. We talked unceasng
ly; reviewing everything from the re-
ceipt of the first letter; conjecturing
on each of the score Of little problems
making up the one great mystery. but
arriving at nothing detinite adding. II
changing conditions at ALL to our own
confusion.
And IL, In passing, at intervals.
where opportunity offered. | spoke ten
der words and pleaded for definite,
or at least closer, more intimate I'M
Outstanding between us. who shall say
that | was 10 blame? She was never
more lovely, never more appealing
than she was that morning; and |
begged for an admission of senti-
ment above and beyond the mere sis
terly regard to which hitherto she had
persisted i'm limiting her expressed af-
lection for me.
More than once | had read i'm her
eyes--without unseenly conceit. l
trust | may be permitted this asser-
tion--what ] now asked in lip avowal.
But there seemed TO be with her no
ton that the occasion was ill.suited to
my plea.
Philip she said. dear Philip,