Putnam patriot., 1915-02-05

"I want to serve you"
 man. am convinced l chose alright You are the man l thought you to be.
 l am glad l came
 For an instant the hot blood coursed
 through my veins Wild words leaped
 to my lips, only to be choked back un-
 rpoken. although | scarcely knew what tfength combined 10 win the swift truggle Impulse. made with sudden
 eyelation of love. swept me perilous- hear to outburst. vet reason held .uffi iently firm to restrain the flood of passion knew l must refrain;
 cad it in the calm depths of those syeS fronting me in frank friendship. \ word. a single. mad. i'll considered word would sever the bond between
 F as though cleft by a sword. With my other I might have dared all but not with her She trusted me-yesi Put as a gentleman Should fail in that test of her faith l could never again hope to regain my place in her esteem.
 q. cts not talk of ourselves 1 said, releasing her hands. but of what we must face here. l have told you that Coombs claims to be working under the orders of your husband. Is that possible?"
 T cannot conceive clearly how it could be, and yet he might have re- eeived notice of his fathers death in time to assume control of the estate by telegraph or even by letter. T hardly think Coombs has been here so short a time
 He might have been the old over
 seer, however. and retained True. Yet how could Philip Henley know that he had inherited the prop-
 erty?s
 She thought moment seriously. a little crease in the center of her fore { head
 "Of course l can only guess" she hazarded at length. but it would seem likely he was notified of his fathers
 death by one of the administrators and doubtless told at the same time of
 his inheritance He was the only son, and there were no other near relatives. | It would be only natural for him to retain the old servants until he could come here and select others There is only one fact which op- poses your theory" l acknowledged otherwise 1 would accept it as my | own also. Coombs plainly threatened | to confront you with Henley to test your claim to being his wife Even that would not be impossi- ble.' she admitted reluctantly, flor he must have known of the judges death even before-before l left. Only | l do not believe it probable as he was in no condition to travel and had very | little money. Besides her voice strengthening with conviction, those men who sent you here. Neale and | Vail, would never have ventured such
 d scheme had they been uncertain as | to Philip Henley's helplessness. be | iieve he is either in their control or | else dead
 Then Coombs lied" Perhaps. although still another sup | position is possible. Some one else may claim to be the heir This was a new theory and one not
 so unreasonable as it appeared at first thought, Still it was sufficiently im- probable. so that dismissed it with out much consideration. She apparent y read this in my face Tt is all groping in the dark until we learn more." she went on slowly. Have you decided what you mean I to do?7
 'Only indefinitely. l want to make careful exploration of the house and grounds by daylight. This may reveal something of value. Then we will go | into Carrollton before dark. l cannot ! consent to your remaining here an other night after what has occurred. Besides. we should consult a lawyer | the best we can find-and then proceed | under his advice. Do you agreey" Certainly; and how can l be of as- sistancey
 If you could go back to the house
 and keep Sallie busy in the kitchen for an hour: hold her there at something
 so as to give me free range Of the house.
 With Sallier' She lifted her hands in aversion. Tt doesn't seem as though could stand that But. she added. rising resolutely to her feet, T will If you wish it. Of course l ought to do what little 1 can. Why. what is this seal rings"
 She stopped and picked the article up from the floor out of a litter of dead leaves and held it to the light be- tween her fingers. As she gazed her cheeks whitened, and when her eyes again met mine they evidenced fear. ''That-that was Philip Henley s ring" she said gravely. Family heir loom; he always wore 1t. He must be here
 At least it would seem that he has been. The seal Is peculiar one. not likely to be duplicated. But l doubt If he is here now. for he could have no reason for avoiding us, unless T know what you mean" sbe re- piled, as l hesitated, unless he in