New-York tribune., 1918-03-17

A tramp. of footsteps sounded on the
gravel outside, and Captain Phipps
sprang up.
"Your guard has come for you, Mr..
Belke," he said tI'm sorry to inter-
lrupt this conversation, but Pm afraid you
must be moving"
CHAPTER Ill
The Empty Envelope
|C OMMANDER BLACKLOCK closed
~ the front door. "Chilly night" he
observed
"It is rather" said Eileen.
The house had that peculiar feeling Of
quiet which houses have when stirring
events are over and people have departed.
The two remaining inhabitants re-
entered the parlor, glanced at one an
other with half smile, and then seemed
simultaneously to find little difficulty
in knowing what to do next.
"Well," said Blackjack, tour business
seems over"
eyes," said she, almost as casually,
night, suppose"
~ shall have to write up my report
of our friend Mr.. Belke's life and last
Words" said he, with half laugh.
"And l have got to get over to Mrs.
Browns" she replied, "and so I had
better go at once"
"Oh, there's no such desperate hurry"
he said hastily. ~ haven't much to write
up tonight. We must have some supper
first"
eyes," she agreed, 81 suppose we shall
begin to feel hungry soon if we don't. III
see about it. What would you hke?"
"The cold ham and couple of boiled
eggs will see me-"
She agreed again.
'That won't take long, and then you
can begin your report"
While she was away he stood before
the fire, gazing absently into space and
scarcely moving muscle. The ham and
boiled eggs appeared, and little more
animation became apparent, but it was
not a lively feast She talked for a little
IN an ordinary, cheerful way, just as
though there was no very special subject
for conversation, but he seemed too alb
sentminded and silent to respond even
to these overiures, except with a brief
smile and briefer word. They had both
been quite silent for about five minutes.
when he suddenly said in a constrained
manner, but with quite different in
tonation:
well, am afraid our ways part now.
What are you going to do next?"
i've been wondering," she said, "and
think if Mrs. Craigie still wants mo
l ought to go back to her."
BACK to the Craigies!" he exclaimed.
"And become-er-a governess again?"
1T will be rather dull at first" she
laughed, "but one can't have such ad-
ventures as this every day."
Il wish l could offer you another lob
like this" said he.
sparkle leaped into her eyes.
If you ever do see any chance of
making any sort of use of mel mean
OF letting me be useful-you will be
sure to let me know, won't you?"
natner: But, honestly, I'm not likely
to have such bit of luck as this again /"
"One must take ones luck as it comes -
she said, with an outward air of philoso-
ply, whatever her heart whispered. "Ill
leave you to smoke" she said, "and saw
good night now"
One momentv said he, jumping up.
Ihere's something I feel 1 must saw.
i've been rather contrite about it. I'm
afraid haven't quite played cricket so
far as you are concerned"
She looked at him quickly.
What do you mean?" she asked.
Its about Belke. Pm afraid Phipps
was quite right in saying I'm rather
cold-blooded when I am keen over lob.
Perhaps it becomes little too much of
mere problem Getting you to treat
belke as you did, for instance. You were