The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-08-27

you wish It. Or course ! ought 10 40
what little l can. Why. what In this
seal ring?"
She stopped and picked the article
up from the floor out OF litter OF
dead leaves and held 1t to the light be-
tween her fingers. As sire gazed her
cheeks whitened, and when her eyes
again met mine they evidenced fear.
"That-that was Philip Henleys
ring" she said grayely. Family heir
loom; he always wore 1t. He must be
here"
AT least 1t would seem that he has
been. The seal Is peculiar one. not
likely to be duplicated. But | doubt
If he Is here now. for he could have
no reason for avoiding US. unless
81 know what you mean." she re-
piled. as | hesitated, unless he In
tended to repudiate me. TO refuse me
recognition"
as he that kind of a mann
"NO, not when sober. Under the
influence Of liquor be becomes brute.
capable Of any meanness."
Perhaps that may be the secret
lucu uc OtHciS ucit tudy NC hCcpihS
him intoxicated and hidden away for
purposes of their own. However, this
need not change our plans. Will you
go In to SallieT
"Yes; 1t will be a relief to be busy,
to feel that | am accomplishing some
thing"
stood upon the bench. from where
could look out above the weeds and
tangled bushes. and followed her
course to the house. At top of the
steps she paused an instant to glance
back and then disappeared within.
waited patiently. knowing that II she
failed to discover the housekeeper she
would give some signal. Meanwhile
| watched the weed grown area about
me carefully In search Of any skulker
observing our movements.
The knowledge that Philip Henley
was alive. that any discoveries might
make would benefit him even more
than his wife. robbed me Of some In
terest in the outcome. Nothing | had
heard Of the man was favorable to
his character. ] felt profoundly con-
vinced that whatever affection bis
wife might have once entertained for
him had long ago vanished through
neglect and abuse. My sympathies
were altogether with her. and | had
already begun to dream Of her as free.
She had come into contact with nv
life I'm such way as to impress me
greatly We had been thrown togeth.
err In strange familiarity. Little by
little ! had grown to appreciate her
beauty. not only OF face. but also Of
womanly character.
dreaded the temperance of Hen
ley Would she return to him? World
she forgive the past? | could not be
ignorant of the fact that she liked
me, trusted me as friend. But be-
yond this rather colorless certainty l
possessed no assurance. She was not
the kind ever to compromise with
duty nor to pretend. No love for me.
even if it had already begun to bios
som in her secret heart, would make
her disloyal TO sacred vows. l knew
that and deep down in my own con-
seriousness honored her the more. even
while l struggled against the inevi-
table Yesterday might have spoken
the words of passion on my lips, but
now they were sealed.
| felt the pistol in my pocket, took
it out and made sure it was in readi-
ness. then advanced cautiously to-
ward the house. The hall was empty
and so was the front room. The latter
appeared desolate and grim in its dis
order and dirt. My thought centered
on that picture of Judge Henley hang
ing against the further wall. | could
never be satisfied until | learned alb
solutely what was concealed behind
that heavy gilded frame. There was
mystery to this house. and perhaps
here / had already stumbled upon the
secret. | opened the door leading to
the rear. silently. and listened. There
were voices talking at distance. two
women. one a pleasant contralto. the
other cracked and high pitched. The
lady was doing her part; | must do
mine. | closed the door gently and
stole over toward the picture.
A black haircloth sofa with broad
mahogany arm offered two easy steps.
enabling me to tip the heavy frame
sufficiently so as TO peer behind. The
one glance was sufficient. Underneath
was an opening in the wall much less
in width than the picture. yet ample
for the passage of crouched body.
The arm of the sofa made egress COM
paratively easy. while the frame of
the picture. though appearing heavy
and substantial. was in reality OF
light wood and presented no obstacle
to an active man. The passage WAS
black. and thrust my head and shout
ders in, striving 10 discern something
OF its nature. For possibly three feet
could trace the floor, but beyond that
point ii seemed to disappear into i'm
penetrable darkness. This line of
change was SO distinct that | surmis-
ed at once ii marked descent to r
lower level, either by ladder or stairs.