Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-06

Thanks 10 the tardy Advertisement OF
the fete, the avidity OF people ever
seeking some new thing, and the fame OF
| Abigail Gosnold as an entertainer OF
eccentric genius, that day could hardly
/ be said to wane; rather 1t waxed TO lts
close In an atmosphere OF electric excite
ment steadily cumulative. The colony
droned like some huge dynamo with the
/ rumor OF secret preparation against the
/ night. other than servants scurrying 10
and fro on pressing but mysterious err
/ rands, few folks were visible In the AFTER
noon the drives and beaches, the lawns,
terraces, courts, gardens, Verandas ana
casinos we're one and ell deserted.
AT Gosnold House, below-stairs, IN
kitchens and servants halls and all
about the grounds as we'll multituoe
| of work people swarmed like an invading
army of ants Astonishing feats or prep
aratlon were consummated as II by leser-
demain. And though the routine OF the
household proceeded marvelously without
apparent hitch or friction, luncheon and
dinner degenerated into affairs of emptlest
formality. At the latter, indeed. Mrs
Gosnold presided over an oddly balanced
board three-fourths Of those present were
men--fully half the feminine guests din
ing from trays in their rooms or else alb
staining altogether, in order that not one
precious moment might be lost to the
creation of their improvised DISCUSSES.
And the talk at table was singularly us
connected, with an average or interest
uncommonly low. People were obviously
saving themselves up There was no nm
gering over tobacco; the last course
served, the guests dispersed In all haste
compatible with decency.
II was at this meal that Sally got her
first glimpse OF Savage since his arr1VaI
In the course of the afternoon. She had
been far too busy to keep watch and
unable to invent any plausible excuse for
inquiring after him. but the thought of
his return had never been far out OF
mind. However busy. she had not been
able to dismiss entirely the consideration
that Savage was bringing the first authen-
tic news of whatever activities the police
might have inaugurated in connection |
with the burglary and whatever their |
progress In pursuit. Of the clue furnished |
by the garments discarded In the bath
room. And all the reassurances of Mrs. |
Gosnold were impotent to counteract APP |
prehensons fostered by such reflections. |
But there was the length and the width |
of the table between them. She had to |
be content with all that Savage found |
chance to accord her-a bow. n smile, and |
n glance down his nose significant or un- |
speakable intelligence.
She thought he looked a bit pale and |
worried and betrayed more nervousness
than was natural in the man as she had
come to know him.
Whether or not he had been accom-
panied by the threatened insurance ad-
juster Cor detectiveD she was unable to
surmise; Notwithstanding several strange
faces In the number at table, she was in
clined TO believe that a person of such
character would have been lodged some-
where in the village which served as the
islands main port of entry, rather than
brought to Gosnold House-already
crowded with guests.
As soon as the company rose Savage
to the side OF the girl detain-
Ing her long enough to convey a surrep-
titlous message under cover of apparently
greetings.
Must have n talk" he muttered out
Of the corner of his mouth. Something
you ought to know Immediately"
A pang Of pure fear shot through her
mind, but she retained sufficient command
Of herself not to betray her emotion or
even TO seem anxious to make an appoint
ment with the man.
"Oh there's no chance for that now"
she evaded as per instructions and with
so successful a sembance of indifference
that Savage was openly and profoundly
oerpleXed. 1--WE heaps of things yet to
10 for Mrs. Gosnold-Im really friEhtfully
pushed for time even to dress"
"Yes-of course. But this talk has got
|
,ught to be easy enough under our masks.
What costume will you be wearinG?"
~ don't know Mrs. Gosnold promised
o find something and send It to my room.
presume she must have forgotten-but
perhaps it's there now
well, keep an eye bright for me- then
III be Harlequin-an old costume I hap.
,ened by sheer luck TO have left here
ome years ago. Otherwise, I guess ia
lave to wrap up in a sheet and act like
dead one
She laughed mechanically. murmured
4 must hy!" and forthwith dashed I'D
he great staircase and to her room.
Her costume had not yet been deliv-
red; she had still TO wait half an hour
W the clock. but there was plenty of de-
all wherewith to occupy her time On
he other hand, the routine of ones toilet
8 famous incentive to thoughtfuness,
md as she went automatically through
he motions of beautifying herself and
Iressing her hair, Sauy's mind took ad-
of this, its first real freedom
II the day, and focused sharply on her
,wn concerns.
CONTINUED TOMORROW.