The Washington times., 1918-04-11
Part One-(Continued)

especially in the new excitement of
the sudden departure of Gen. and
Mrs. Kelton. Mrs. kelton returned
alone to Westchester. the general
went to New York. and shortly
after, by his own wish. entered an
asylum for the mentally unsound.
The boys were taken charge o. by
some relations.
Lived Alone.
The wife lived in absolute seclu-
sion. and died some six years later,
an old and haggard woman. And
during these years-and even after
Oakley Manor was left untenant-
ed and uncared for. No one was
permitted TO go beyond the gate of
the property. A great wall was
erected all around il, which effec-
tuaIly shut it off from prying eyes.
The ruin into which the old house
was allowed to fall was a by-word
in the country.
And what was the cause of all
this? The explanation was given
TO Lillian by Martha Jones. as she
had become after her marriage to
Matthew Jones, the one-time conf
dental servant of Mr.. Kelton.
Matthew had not lived long after
his marriage, and Martha-she who
had been Mrs. Kelton's maid-was
left early a widow. Poor Martha,
too, was not destined to be long
lived.
GLeaVe the Window Open.
General Kelton had returned un-
sxpectedly early from a visit to
Liverpool. He had, as rsual, gone
straight to his room, for in those
days he rarely came to his wife's.
not even for the purpose of bidding
her goodnight His wife slept on
the ground floor, and when Martha
left her, after doing her hair. the
window which opened on to the
lawn was wide open. Martha had
wiGhed to close II. but she had re-
marked that the night was so beau
tifully fnS and warm that she
would keep It open a little longer.
II was about an hour later that
Martha heard the general descend.
ing the stairs, evidently bound for
his wife's room a few moments
later her mistress called at her
door for Martha, who, Of course,
obeyed Immediately.
NlAlt1 HIS "ue.
The maid found husband and wife
in the small boudoir which ad-
Joined the wife's room. They were
talking. to all appearances, amiably
together, the general relating his
experiences of the day. He had
brought a message from some mu-
tual friend in town, and had come.
contrary to his custom, to deliver it.
Mrs. Kelton appeared troubled and
constrained in her manner, and ii
occurred to Martha that she had
been sent for merely in order that
the interview might be curtailed.
Now, in the boudoir there a deep
cupboard let into the wall. Mrs.
Kelton used it for hanging up
dresses. From this cupboard. just
as Kelton was about to bid his
wife goodnight, there came a faint
sound of some one moving. The
general heard the noise and stop
ped. He looked at his wife; he
looked at Martha.
Then he turned to the maid, and,
pointing to the door, said: you
may 60"
The Lover Is Trapped.
HdLlld ODtycO- ouc hdO 70 80
round by Mrs. Kelton's room. for
the door OF the boudoir was lock-
ed 1t was by the bedroom that
General KeIton had entered. Out
side in the passage Martha stopped
to listen. She could plainly hear
the sound of voices.
There is some one in the cup
board" the general said sternly.
IL
Martha trembled for her mistress
sake, for Martha knew much that
she should not have known.
''Greta, there is some one con-
cealed in the cupboard" General
kelton repeated his words. and ii
was evident that he took a step
passage could hear every sound.)
NO, no you are mistaken" there
was an agony of fear in the voice
OF the countess, but she was cvi-
IDENTIFY struggling TO compose her
self and speak calmly.
Then you will not object 10 my
seeing for myself"
There was a hurried movement.
1t was as IL the lady placed her
self before the cupboard.
Il will never forgive you il you
mistrust me now. We will part,
and part forever"
The words were spoken slowly,
forcibly and with apparent SINGER
fly. Mrs. kelton had an eXtraor-
dinary aptitude for carrying con-
might make. The man drew back.
nil
said. slowly and sternly. You will
swear TO me before God and upon
your soul that there is no one in
fession OF being a religious woman.
VIII you take this OATH"
There was a moments pause.
Then the wife whispered: 81 swear
there is no one there" martha, hear
ing the oath. gaAped, for she knew
that her mistress was forsworn.
Good" The general spoke more
softly, but there was an underlying
ring OF cruelty in his tone. 81, too.
promise you. Greta. that will
never open that door. From today
It shall never be opened again.
VIII you kindly call your maid. as
] wish to speak to her."
@SeaI the Door, He Said.
The bell rang. and Martha, OF
course, did not delay about answer
ing It. The general bade her 20
and fetch Matthew Jones. who was
awaiting his masters return in Lord
helton's own rooms. Jones was a
useful fellow, who had travelled
much and could turn his hand to
anything.
Matthew" said the general. cold
ly. as soon as the servants arrived,
There is job which I wish you to