Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-05-27

receiver spitefully, thinking 1t only
the methodical Terrence confirming
the appointment made by telephone.
But the operator began reading:
Springfield, Ohio, September 80, 1917.
"CabIe from London agent says last
forwarding address for Violet Dewing
was hotel in Seattle. Please ask
Hathaway & Stein and anybody else
on Broadway who might know what
companies are on coast or headed
that way. l find no clew in theatrical
papers and don't want to mess things
by making inquiries direct. If party
can be located, will start West iEl-
mediateIy. "Searles."
The thought of Searles was comfort
Ing. and l reproached myself for not
having summoned him at the begin.
ming Of my perplexities. Immediately
dictated this reply:
''Take first train east and come to
me at Barton as quickly as possible.
Hope to have news for you"
then jotted down on scratch pad
this memorandum:
1.-THE young woman representing her.
self as Mrs. Bashford and now estab-
lfshed in my uncle's house is one or
all of the following persons:
II. Uncle Basins widow.
20. An impostor.
49,. A spy Of some sort, pursued by
secret agents.
~. Violet Dewing, an actress.
IS. The most interesting and the
loveliest 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 tmpostor-" IF she is a spy playing
deep game in the seclusion of Bar
ton" IF she is the actress Searles
is seeking" AT any rate. l would re-
spect her wish to play the game
through; the dangers of carrying the
story-bock idea to one Of half dozen
possible conclusions were not incon.
siderable, but was resolved that she
should finish the tale in her own
If l 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 selfshness in not taking me
along. Alice Immediately suggested a
tramp later In the afternoon.
IN 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 went for her; land
you mustn't look at the addresses i"
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 I were here this
morning." she said when we reached
the big boulder. LET me see; think
I'll try 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; IF the flap side turns up.
I'll destroy It,"
She sent it spinning into the air. A
branch caught and held it an instant,
then it fell, turning over and over,
and lay straight on edge against a
weed.
mo decision!" I cried. tits an ex-
act perpendicular"
She knelt beside it, bordering. Il
Isthink it leans just q trife to the adj
| dress side," she announced. There
fore you may return it to your pocket
and It goes into the post Office"
"These letters would probably an.
swer lot of questions for me If I
dared run away with Them" ! sug-
gested.
"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.
cious-yes, you know you debut,
take It all In all, you do very we'll"
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. IS.
If my life hung in the balance.
should certainly not act where fate
had been so timid." # +. 1 I
Suppose" said Alice musingly, II
were to, tell you that IL mail this
letter the effect will be to detain me
"a u. z.. 4, i j