Evening star., 1921-06-05

Elmford murder Garth, 1eav-
ing headquarters. made an
unaccustomed purchase. Not
long ago such affectatfon would have
appealed to his sturdy. straightfor-
ward mind of a detective as trivial.
possibly unmasculine.~ He Redeemed as
he handed his 10 cents to the shape
less Italian woman whose fingers
about his coat lapel were confusingly
deft. He had no illusions as to the
source of this foppish prompting. The
inspector had called him in and told
him that Nora would welcome him at
the fiat for dinner that evening. The
event appeared milestone on the
aanorous path he sought to explore
hand in hand with the girl he rear
lied his desired destination was not
yet in view. but such progress re-
uuired a deviation from the familiar
some peculiar concession to Its sig
n.ncance. So he turned away from the
cheap sidewalk stand. wearing, 1Qf
the first time in his life. flower IN
his buttonhole-a rose OF uouot1ui
.;..--, AID unaristocratic lineage.
That nrsnt or as.s. edge of winter IT
was thoroughly dark wEsS ,?r.' Jonn
Randall left New York for his Log
Island home. Treving had unexpeGt. @
interview had evidently projected
more than the unforeseen, for Ran
dall'S habitual calm was Sudoeniy oe-
stroyed by the color and the zines OF
pasSionate indeciSion. He crossed the
Queensborough bridge and threaded
the Long Island city streets with
reckless disregard of traff1c whlch
probably went undisciplined only pc
cause of the green cross on the raol-
ator of his automobile.
a
city limits had an air. particularly
under this wan starlight. remote ana
depressing. Heavy trees. which Gus
tered near, appeared to shrouo N.
The doctor. scarcely SlackenlHs
speed, swung up the drive At the
turn the house rose before h1m.
square, frowning. black. IT was oniy
after moment that nebulous radl-
ance from a curtained WINDOW up
tairs defined itself as light
Randall sprang out. and nearly run
ming. stumbling a little, climbed the
steps. crossed the veranda and pushed
the electric button No sound OF nutIy- -
ing feet followed it. Randall. after
waiting for a moment took out MS
latchkey and entered.
Bella" he called.
Immediately the relieving answer
came:
Herein my dressing room. John.
Why are you so late?
He leaned weakly against the wall.
II was detained.
"Where are all the servants?" he
demanded.
you've forgotten" she answered.
1--WE talked it over week or so ago.
and l thought you had agreed. Ellen
wedding. Naturally they all wanted 70
go. l had an early dinner and packed
them off But l counted on you. l was
srowing afraid, all alone in the house.
What kept you?
"Old Mrs Hanson-at first. She's
very ill., I should really have stayed
the night. I went to the club for
bite
He broke off He walked closer. look
ing down into her eyes which did not
quite meet his.
"At the club knew I must come
home tonight II sent your cousin,
Tom Reddng. to Mrs. Hanson"
She shivered for moment uncon-
trollably.
gether blind about You and Treving."
CHE exclaimed impatiently. but her
~ shiver was repeated. and the uncer-
tainty of her voice fingered.
But Treving's seemed a decent
enough sort in spite Of the way he
spends his money and his Broadway
record. and, you see. Bella. I've always
trusted you unquestioningly."
"And now? Tell me what you're
Don't work yourself up. Bella. You
know. I've told you. It's bad for you.
What do you expect. when you in
sinuate@
TITS just this: we must talk it out
I've a right to know how far this folly's
gone-what 1T portends. so that can
take measures of defense for myself
and for my wife"
She yielded and sat down. but now
she bent forward, her hands clasped at
"I overheard" he said. "It was Della
field and Ross / went to Ross. felt
I knew him well enough. My dear:
It's common scandal-much worse, I'll
facts. You've been seen with Trevlng
in cafes of doubtful reputation. and out
here on ong Island. at some of these
unspeakable road houses
He turned away.
The lines about his mouth frightened.
'7Treving." he said with an affecta-
ton of simplicity. "came into the club
while ] was talking with Ross He had
been DRINKING great deal. didn't
realize it at first-it's quite necessary
YOU should hear this-so took him
out in the hall and tried to talk to him
reasonably. I told him it must stop
any friendship between him and you.
AS I told you, he had been drinking.
assurance. l don't want to do you an
Injustice, but 1 couldn't help fearing
his confidence was based on an UNDER
standing with you. I told him. If l
heard of his coming near you again or
communicating with you in any way.
would thrash him within an inch Of his
life. Bella. he laughted at me-"
HIS eyes left hers. A look Of utter
discouragement entered them. He spoke
slowly. with unnatural distinctness.
tn a r1 stakes
he'd spend this evening with you.
His eyes remained averted. Perhaps
ne didn't dare risk the vital testimony
hers might have Yielded.
But I don't think he'll succeed. And
] warned him as he deserved. You may
that incident is finished. Unless.
ReIla- That's why, when l saw the
house dark. ! was afraid you'd gone
Did YOU and he know about old Mrs
Hanson? Have YOU any arrangement
with him for tonight?'
She pressed her lips together. Blood
congested her cheeks.
Somewhere in the house a bell con-
menced to jangle. and continued, irri-
tatingly, insistently.
.sWhy isn't it answered? oh. yes.
You might have kept Thompson at least.
Let it ring. 1 shan't go down.
"A doctor,'' she said scornfully.
She arose with an effort. The lace
of the mauve dressing gown exagger-
ated the difficulty of her breathing. His
glance. which took all this in, was not
wholly without contrition.
Answer it," she said. Il shan't fly
from the house to any mans arms "niie
YOU are in the library.
She stood for time by the door
listening. Once or twice she placed her
hand above her heart. Her face set IN
the cruel distortion that precedes tears