Washington telegraph., 1920-03-19

eyes and that she was looking with
relief nj little college pin l was
wearing. She was blushing now from
confusion at her mistake, and the ris-
ip- red I'm her cheeks added greatly
TO her exquisite loveliness.
81 was to meet someone here she
faltcred; "you quite understand. don't
yuu?'
81 understand perfectly" | answer
cd. and recalling the scar-faced man
who had been lurking in the bushes
l buried on to say, "but If l can be
Of any service"
"No. no she sobbcd, apparently
oyerv hclmcd by whatever it was that
vas bcsettlng her. "Its nothing
nothing anyone can help
"Ten me about the man you we're
to meet here"
"Who are you?" she demanded. her
suspicion suddenly rising mt my ques-
tion. you're not a detectiyeT
Far from IT," l answered amused
Iy. "Tm just plain Spalding Nelson,
ON my way to dine with my great
uncle Rufus CASTOR"
"Oh" she said. relieved, "their
apartment is on the same floor as
ours"
'TeI me about the man you were
to meet" insisted 81 may have seen
him."
''Dfd you? What was he lile?" she
demanded eagerly.
"Don't you know himT ! countered.
"No, never saw him. don't even
know who he is. I only know that
there was to be a man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations | was
to come here alone, to see him and
to get the"
She stopped abruptly and tearing
off the flower she was wearing,
trampled it viciously under her foot
mot so loud" I warned her, fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. There were
two Of them"
"Two," she whispered, turning pale.
"Yes, one waiting here on this bench
and the other a villainous scar-faced
fellow hiding in the bushes yonder."
81 dare not go on with it." she
sobbed, 81 dare not! I dare mott Oh
what shall l do?"
"rhe thing to do now" replied, "ls
for you to let me accompany you back
to your home They viii make nc
further attempt to meet you this eve
ming, since my presence has spoiled
their plans. Come, let me escort you
Miss
AS l hesltated over the name sh'
answered simply:
Bradford-Barbara Bradford"
She pondered for a moment over m!
suggestion and then turned to wall
with me toward the apartment house
"What were the men like?" sh
asked
described them as best l could
though really the impression that III
youth on the bench had left was vague
His voice, an insolent, hoarse, uncu
tivated one, was almost all could re
call about him.
II wonder who they were? | wor
der how they knew?"
"Knew what?"
Her lips frightened into a strnisl
. line.
81 can't tell you. darent. 1t ism
my secret"
by this time we had reached he
home and the bowling doorman Wa
20 swinging back the great iron do,
| for us. 1t had been my intention
" announce my arrival, but recalih
= that Miss Bradford had said That Il
CASTOR apartment was on the san
IN floor MS hers, l stepped with her I'M
,r the elevator. When it had descende
III leaving Us together In the corrido
II She turned to me and offered her han
"Thank YOU so much, Mr.. Nelson
81 wish you'd let me help you"
e. cried.
X She shook her head.
ir "Well, promise me one thing" l /
a. sisted.
"What Is it,"
y
to the park to meet those men"
g A tremor shook her body, and on
he more a look Of terror crept into h
eyes.
81 can't promise that. must me
them. | must ! mustw
wv l reached out and took her hand
Ist "Promse me, then, that before y
go again you will let me know"
ch "You must not try to stop my
ing" she cried desperately and fr
t." ing her hand turned quickly and I
of locking her door left me standi
a there alone, staring after her
Perplexed beyond measure MS
lat what l ought TO do, after momen
no. pressed the hell AMI was admitted
lth the CASTOR apartment aud to the pr
on. ence of my aged relatives.