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

one which everybody who went into the
room was sure to ask. there was such a
difference in the size and appearance Of
the mark nearest the window. The rea-
son-well, minds were divided about
that, and no one had satisfactory
theory. The detective therefore kept
discreetly silent.
This did not seem to offend Miss
Strange On the contrary. 1t gave her an
opportunity to babble away to her
hearts conent-
One. two; three. four. Ave. six" with
them bigger than the others" She might
have added. TT is the trail Of one foot.
and strangely intermingled at that" but
sure that she noted the fact: And
where, just where. did the old wallet
fall? Here? or here?'
She had moved as she spoke SO that in
rectly before the window. The surprise
she received there nearly made her for
get the part she was playing. From
the character of the light in the room.
confront a nearby wall. but not win
dow in that wall Yet that was what
she saw directly facing her across the
old-fashioned alley separating this
house from its neighbor; twelve unshut-
tered and uncurtained panes through
which she caught a darkened view Of
of furniture as the one IN which she
then stood.
When quite sure of herself she let a
why p iooK she ne ered r@f III you upe eant
see right in next door. What a lone
some looking place! From Its desolate
appearance I should think the house
And it is. That's the old Shaffer
homestead. It's been empty for a year"
oh: empty" And she turned away.
world CRYING out as her name rang up
the stairs. There's Arthur calling.
suppose he thinks I've been here long
enough. I'm sure I'm very much obliged
to you. officer. really shouldn't have
slept wink tonight II I hadn't been
given peep at these rooms. which I
had imagined so different" And with
one additional glance over her shoulder,
that seemed to penetrate both windows
and the desolate space beyond she ran
quickly out and down in response to her
brothers reiterated call.
Drive quickly!-as quickly as the
law allows TO- Hiram Browns office in
Duane street.
Arrived at the address named, she
went in alone to see Mr.. Brown. He
was her fathers lawyer and a. family
friend
Hardly waiting for his affectionate
greeting, she cried out quickly: Tell
me how ! can learn anything about the
old Shaffer house in 18th street Now.
don't look so surprised. l have very
good reasons for my request and-and-
I'm in an awful hurry"
know. know: there's been an
awful tragedy next door to 1t. but it's
about the Shafer house itself l want
some information. Has it an agent.
Is his name"
on which he had hastily written both
name and address
She thanked him. dropped him a mock
Ing courtesy full Of charm. whispered,
Fat
Her manner to the man she next in
terviewed was very different As soon
as she saw him she subsidized into her
usual society manner With just a
, ,ouen OF me successful debntante. she an
hounced herself as Miss Strange Of 72d
street She had an old lady friend who
was desrous Of living down town
His answer left her nothing to hope
for.
IT is going to be torn down." he said.
on. what pity" she exclaimed
Real colonial isn't it. I wish l could
see the rooms inside before 1t is dis
turbed. Such doors and such dear old
fashioned mante!pieces as 1t must
nave. Just dote on the colonial. 1t
brings up such pictures Of the old days;
weddings. you know. and parties-all so
dinerent from ours and SO much more
interesting"
Is it the chance shot that tells? Some
times violet had no especial intention
IN what she said save as q prelude Ia
pending request. but nothing could
have served her purpose better than
laughed and giving her his frst in
dulgent look. remarked genially:
Romance is not confined to those an
Gent times. If you were to enter that
mouse today you would come across evil
dences of a wedding as romantic as
any which ever took place in all the
seventy odd years Of its existence A
man and a woman were married there