Evening star., 1922-09-08

YOU shall not ruin mine. Lucy's brother. Mr..
Walden. who engages Craig Kennedy, says
Ss wss Rss s. css. aht
congestion of the lungs. has been on the
houseboat for few days waldon suSsssts
by stray electric energy about seavilIe."
where powerful Transatlantic station 10 Io-
p. Gated. Kennedy. Waldon and the writer are
wsrds.
~ OWN in the hull. OF course, was
the gasoline motor which drove
the propeller. SO that when the
- owner wanted a change Of
scene all that was necessary was to get
up anchor. start the motor and navigate
the yacht -houseboat to some other har-
hor
Edwards himself met US on the
deck. He was a tall man, with a red
face. man of action, of outdoor life.
apparently a hard worker and a hard
player. 1t was quite evident that he
had been waiting for the return Of
Waldon anXiously.
You find US considerably upset.
Prof. Kennedy" he greeted Craig. as
his brother in law introduced US.
Edwards turned and led the way
toward the saloon. AS he entered and
bade US be seated in the costly
! cushioned wicker chairs I noticed how
sumptuously it was furnished. and
particularly it's mechanical piano. its
wood floor which seemed to invite one
to dance in the cool breeze that
fioated across from one set of open
windows 10 the other. And yet. In
spite of everything, there was that
indefnable air Of something lacking.
as in house from which the woman
is gone.
You were not here last night.
understand remarked Kennedy. taking
in the room at glance.
wards. Business has kept me with
my nose pretty close to the grind
stone this summer. Walden called
me up in the middle Of the night.
however. and | started down in my
ear, which enabled me to get here
been able to do thing since l got
here except just wait-wait-wait.
] confess that | don't know what
else to do. Waldon seemed to think
we ought to have some one down
here-and l guess he was right. Any
how. I'm glad to see YOU"
| watched Edwards keenly. For
the first time | realized that I had
neglected to ask Waldon whether
he had seen the unfinished letter.
was evident that he had not.
Let me see. Walden. If I've got
this thing straight" Edwards went
on. pacing restlessly up and down
has0n:, the saloon; Correct Corr me H.. If I
stand cit. there was a. sort of little
family party here. You and Miss
Nerrall and your mother from the
Nautilus, and Mrs. Edwards and DR..
Jermyn."
thought. a touch of defiance At the
words family party He paused as
if he would have added that the
Nautilus would have been more con-
genial, anyhow; then added. we
danced a little bit. all except Lucie.
She said she wasn't feeling any too
we'll"
Edwards had paused by the door.
IF you'll excuse me a minute" he
said, ''lll call Jermyn and Mrs. Ed
wards maid. Juanita. You ought
to go over the whole thing immedi-
a;ely. Prof. Kennedy
Why didn't you say something
about the letter to him." asked Ken
nedy under his breath.
What was the use returned Wal
don. III didn't know how he'd take
it. Besides, I wanted your advice on
the whole thing. Do you want to
show it to him.
Perhaps it's just as WELL" rumi-
mated Kennedy. "It may be possible
to clear the thing up without in
volving anybody's name. At any rate.
some one is coming down the passage
this way"
Edwards entered with DR.. Jermyn.
a clean-shaven man. youthful in ap-
pearence. yet approaching middle
age. had heard Of him before. He had
studied several years abroad and had
gained considerable reputation since
his return to America.
Or. Jermyn shook hands with US
cordially enough. made some pass
i"" comment on the tragedy. and
stood evidently waiting for US to dis
close our hands
You have been Mrs. Edwards,
rueried Kennedy. fencing for an
r-nning
Only since her marriage" replied
I'll" doctor briefly.
She hadn't been feeling well for
several DAYS. had she'" ventured
No" replied DR.. Jermyn quickly.
'T doubt whether 7 can add much
to what YOU already know. I sup
pose Mr. Waldon has told you about
her illness. The fact is. J suppose
her maid Juanita will be able to tell
you really more than I can"
could not help FEELING that DR..
.Iermyn showed a great deal of re-
1uctance in talking.
You have been with her several
davs. thoush. haven't ro,,?'
-Four days. ] think. She was
complaining Of feeling nervous and
telegraphed me to come down here.
7 came prepared to stay over night.
hut Mr.. Edwards happened to run
down that day. too. and he asked
me IL wouldn't remain longer. My
practice in the summer is such that
7 can easily leave 1t with my assist
ant in the city so I agreed. Really,
that is about all I can say. 1 don't
know yet what was the matter with
Mrs Edwards. aside from the neT:'-
business. which seemed to be OF some
time standing"
He stood facing US. thoughtfully
strokine his chin. as a very pretty
and petite maid nervously entered
and stood facing us in the doorway.
Come in: Juanita." encoursged
gentlemen just what you told me
about discovering that madame had
eone-and anything else that you
NAV recall now"
TT was Juanita who discovered
that madame was gone. you know"
put in Waldon.
How did you discover itT
prompted Craig.
maid. "and often on hot nights
would come in and fan rnadane. since
she was so wakeful. Last night
went to the door and knocked. There
was no reply. called to her.
Madame. madome.' still there was
no answer. The worst supposed
was that she had tainted. l con-