Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-30
Continued from page II

For the merest fraction of an instant her
heart seemed to stop, then resumed its
function at a much brisker tempo, as she
saw that the taller of the two wore black
patch over his right eye, while the glare in
forming his left was not only mallgn but
Enthusiastically one of significance personal
to herself, being accompanied by silent
laugh that, exposing the mans teeth, was
less laugh than peculiarly unpleasant
snarl.
Happily Peter chose that moment to
disturbing vision On the other hand, he
was quick to note the evidence of her dis
treSS.
"Hello!" he cried in deep concern. whats
up? Surely you're not feeling ill!'
She shook her head vigorously and in
needless agitation raised gloved hand and
pointed. 1Peter, who is that mantle
tall one, there, with the black patch over
his eyer"
aWhich2 Oh, see' Here the car drew
away, so that Black Patch was no longer
visible. 3I'm not dead sure" Peter re-
sumed, 3but he looks heap like chap
Quoin pointed out in the smoking room one
night,-one of a brace of deep-sea sharks
Lefty-no, I've got it-Southpaw Smith.
Why do you ask? You certainly cant
know the fellow"
Lydia sank back into her corner, with
head awhirl. NO." she said, mo, | don't
know him. The somehow reminded me
of something very unpleasant
CHAPTER XVI
FROM the manner of the room clerk
Lydia inferred that the name of Thad-
deus Craven was well esteemed by the man
agement of the Great Eastern. Nor was
this impression at all modified by the rooms
to which she was shown,-a suite SO COM
plete and luxurious in appointments that its
appeal was strong to the sybar1tic STRAIN
with which heredity had endowed the girl.
Toward six o'clock she dropped, worn out
into an armchair beside an open window in
the living room. YEARLY the girls eyelids
dropped. Insensibly she drowsed, drifting
into sort of halfwaking nightmare, where
in she with her father waged incessant war
against powers of darkness, shapeless,
featureless, inscrutably malign-
The last rays of the sinking sun flooded
her face, even as it impregnated her dream,
with the hue Of blood. Twilight, succeed
ing, caught together the gaping arras OF the
sky. Minutes wove web Of hours
Abruptly Lydia found herself on her feet,
a low cry shuddering in her throat, aware
she was no longer alone. Then, calming,
she realized nothing more terrible than
Cravens return.
He stood near the center of the room,
II staring, evidently at loss to account
for her agitation, his face slightly flushed
yet lowering.
aWell?' he demanded sharply. what
the deuce is the matter with your"
@You-you startled me- she faltered
with tremulous smile. Il must have fallen
asleep, waiting for you-and then I had
horrible dream"
Cravens look swept her from head to
foot, captious and ugly. 4You haven't
dressed" he said-meaning that she hadn't
changed for dinner. Been asleep long?"
@Why-some hours, | presume. What
time is it? 1t was just sunset, the last l
knew"
aAfter nine o'clock now. Then you've
had no dinner?"
Lydia shook her head. Il was waiting
for you
aYou shouldn't have he grumbled
Thought l told you not to count on me.
I've been busy of course, flying round all
afternoon, getting Betty settled. Other
wise should have been home long ago.
Il have been worried about Betty-Mrs.
Merrilees-"
@Oh, that business He smiled grifnly.