Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15


counting under its roof forty years ago
He has been married twice and she once
in the interval: but the old love held
firm and now at the age Of sixty and
their days in peace and happiness. They
came here about S, got the keys,
drove off. went through the ceremony
in that empty house. returned the keys
steamer for Naples. and were on the
sea before midnight. Do you not call
that quick work as well as highly
romantic?'
Very" Miss strange's cheek had
paled. 1t was apt to when she was
stand" she added. the moment after.
How could they do this and nobody
know about 1t? I should have thought
it would have got into the papers"
they told their best friends. A simple
announcement in the next days
journals testified to the fact OF their
marriage. but that was all. 1 would
not have felt at liberty to mention the
circumstances myself. II the parties
were not well on their way to Europe
Why. miss? What's the matter? You
look very much disturbed"
Don't you remember? Haven't you
thought? Something else happened that
on that block. Something very dread
full"
Mrs. Doolittle's murder~
Yes. 1t was near as next door.
wasn't It? Oh. II this happy couple
But fortunately they didn't. Nor are
they likely to, till they reach the other
side. You needn't fear that their
honeymoon will be spoiled that way"
But they may have heard some
thing or seen something before leaving
the street. Did you notice how the
gentleman looked when he returned
you the keys?"
I did. and there was no cloud on his
satisfaction"
"Oh. how you relieve me-" One-two
dimples made their appearance in Miss
Strange's fresh, young cheeks. I can
not think of them as actual persons
without knowing their names"
The gentleman was Constantine Ami
don: the lady. Marian Shafrer. You
VIII have to think of them now as Mr..
and Mrs. Amidon."
And will. Thank you. Mr.. Hutton.
thank you. very much Next to the
pleasure Of getting the house for my
friend. IS that Of hearing this charm
Ing bit Of news In it's connection"
She held out her hand and. as he took
1t, remarked:
They must have had a clergyman
and witnesses"
They were two old men"
"Oh. no! Don't tell me that"
"Fogies: nothing less"
But the clergyman? He must have
been young. Surely there was some
one there capable Of approaching the
situation?'
Il can't say about that. 1 did not
see the clergyman"
"Oh. well! 1t doesn't matter" Miss
Stranges manner was an nonchalant
as 1t was charming. I'VE will think of
him as being very young"
And with a merry toss of her head
she fitted away
But she sobered very rapidly upon
entering her limousine.
"Hello!'
"Ah. Is that your
Yes. l want a Marconi sent"
"A Marconi."
yes, to the Cretic. which left dock
The very night in which we are SO
deeply Interested"
Good. Whom to? The captain"
NO to a Mrs. Constantin Amidon.
But first to be sure there is such pas
senger."
Mrs What idea have you there"
Excuse my not stating over the tele-
phone. The message is to be to this ef-
feet Did she at any time Immediately
before or after her marriage to Mr.. Am :
1don get a glimpse of any one in the
adjoining house2 No remarks. please
/ use the telephone because ! am not
ready to explain myself. If she did. let
her send written description to you OF
that person as soon as she reaches the
Azores"
You surprise me. May not call or
hope for line from you early tomor-
Il shall be busy till you get your an
swer.''
He hung up the receiver. He recog-
nfzed the resolute tone.
But the time came when tho pending
explanation was fully given to him. An
answer had been returned from the
steamer. favorable to Violet's hopes
J Mrs. Amidon had seen such a person