The Yale expositor., 1920-08-12

this memorandum:
"The young woman representing her
self as Mrs. Bashford and now estab-
lished in my uncle's house IN one or
all Of the following persons:
II. Uncle Bash's widow.
Y. An impostor.
"S. A spy Of some sort, pursued by
secret agents.
~. Violet Dewing, an actress.
rs. The most interesting and the
lsveliest and most charming girl In
the world"
The following day nothing Of impor-
lance happened. though Alice and Mrs.
Farnsworth again spent the morning
In the woodland, presumably studying
Searles' play. My thoughts galloped
through my head In definite formula
If she is not my aunt" IF she is
IN impostor-" eff she is spy playing
a deep game in the seclusion OF Bar
ton" "If she is the actress Searles
is seeking" At any rate. would re-
spect her wish to play the game
through; the dangers Of carrying the
story-book idea TO one Of half dozen
possible conclusions were not incon.
siderable. but l was resolved that she
should finish the tale In her own
fashion.
II had expected Searles and his
play TO be introduced into the table
talk, was doomed TO disappointment.
A dozen times ] smothered an impulse
to tell Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth !
had watched them In the woodland
and Of Searles' long search for the
ideal of his LADY Larkspur," but
was afraid to risk their displeasure.
They enjoyed walking in the wood,
they said, and when charged them
with selfishness in not taking me
along. Alice Immediately suggested
tramp later In the afternoon.
"Tll send you away after luncheon
II have loads of letters to write. but
by four o'clock I'll be keen for the
woods again."
Letters to all my good fairies"
she laughed when l went for her; land
you mustn't look at the addresses |"
She suggested that we walk to the
village, as she liked to post her letters
herself. We went through the woods
where / had seen her the day before.
Constance and were here this
morning." she said when we reached
the big boulder. Let me see; l think
I'll try q little trick to test the hand
of fate. Give me those letters, please.
II this falls with address up, I'll mail
It." and she chose one and handed me
the others; III the flap side turns up.
I'll destroy It."
She sent II spinning into the air. A
branch caught and held II an instant.
then II fell, turning over and over,
and lay straight on edge against q
weed.
"No decisionl" / cried. ITS an ex-
act perpendicular"
She knelt beside IL, bordering. II
think II leans just trifie to the ad-
dress SIDE" she announced. There
fore you may return 1t to your pocket
and II goes into the post office"
these letters would probably an
swer a lot OF questions for me II
dared run away with Them" ! sug-
gssted.
1.-THE thought does you no credit, sir.
You promised not to NEEDLE, but just
TO let things take their course. and
! must say that you are constantly
improving. At times you grow suspi-
eious-yes. you know you debut
take II all In all, you do very WELL"
At the post Office she dropped all
the letters but one into the chute. ut
really did fall a little to the address
side" she questioned.
gave my judgment that the letter
stood straight on edge. inclining Meth
er way.
IF my life hung In the balance, I
should certainly not act where fate
had been so tlmid."
Suppose" said Alice musingly, IL
were to tell you that II l mail this
letter the effect will be to detaln me
In America for some time; IL l don't
send II, shall have to write another
that will mean that shall 90 very
soon. II l stay on at Barton Instead
Of going home to take up my little
part again for England In the war. It
will be an act Of selfishness-just
some more of my foolishness, more OF
the makebelieve life that Constance
and have been living here"
Il want you to stay" said earnest
~. taking the letter. Let me be your
fate In this-in everything that affects
| your life forever"
She walked quickly TO the door, and
I dropped the letter into the chute and
hurried after her.
-Yoo didn't turn round" Z said as
we started down the street. "For all
you know. I've got the lettsr In my
pocket"
''Oh. I'm not q bit frightened II
would be just az interesting one way
as another"
But I want you TO stay forever"
I declared as we waited on the curb
for a truck 70 pass
The remark IA almost impertinent.~