, 1923-03-11

FtA IL bull oDOdL llAtIl
s.reens on the rocks"
A few days later Forester met
Mary Sturtevant at a dance.
You are always latey' she chided.
rive dances are Already taken"
IN take these three after young
Melville" Forester, and
wrote his initials on the card.
He held himself in the background
until 1t was time to claim his first
dance with her. Then he hunted fer
her everywhere. She was not to be
found. n ever after the orchestra
had begun to play. she did not appear.
He saw nothing further of her until
time for his second dance. whe he
suddenly became aware tina she was
standing by his side.
You are like the beautiful young
woman that the magician passes
through his cabinet" exclaimed For
roster.
D I ppear and disappear SO mys-
teriously as all that?" she laughed.
but offered no apology nor explana
ton.
Just before this dance ended Rob
ert noted a stir near the conservatory
doors. Though the doors Were closed.
several people were grouped about
them. apparently looking through the
glass at something. They moved
toward the conservatory doors. Just
as Mr.. Melville, sr., their host, ap-
peared ut Forrester's side. The mans
face was pale and drawn.
FORESTER" said Mr.. Melville in a
low voice. I'VE nave had an accident
in the conservatory. I would appreci.
ate your help. Come around by way
kof the hall-the doors from this room
AVE been locked"
Mr.. Melville turned away toward
the hall and Forester excused him.
self to Mary Sturtevant. He noticed
that her a also had paled.
81 think 1 know what has hap
pened." she said. please let me 60
with you"
ut might not be agreeable to Mr..
Melville" objected Forester.
Robert" she whispered, impress.
sively. you are safe only when 1 am
with your
Forester stared Mt her in astonish-
ment. There was a b%eseeching look
in her eyes, however, which he could
not resist.
Come" he said briefly. In the
conservatory. hidden from prying
y among Towering pants lay Mr..
Melville's son. Near by stood a doc
tor.
The deathly pallor on young Mel
ville's face old the story, but For
roster inquired:
"Dead?"
Yes" replied the doctor. "As.
phyxiatedr'
This is the work OF the Friends
of the Poor Forester" asserted Mr..
Melville.
About two weeks ago I was or
c,red by these peop'e to place a GER
tain sum in that oak tree. I ignored
the demand. notified the police and
took every ~precaution to protect my
self. Unable to get at me, these
williams have reached me through my
SON."
when did this happen, Mr.. Mel
ville?'' asked Forester.
About n half-hour ago. should say,
/ saw my son pass into the conserva-
tory with this young lady" and Mr..
Melville turned toward Mary Sturt-
evant.
Forester also turned and looked at
the girl. She met his gaze steadily.
Shortly after I came here she
explained. 'my next dancing partner
entered and claimed me. / left young
Mr.. Melville sitting near that open
You children need n mother more
n 'most anything csc" she said,
and I'm going to be one to you. I
can't be an artist, but I can raise a
family"
By the time Mem arrived tho girls
were calling her "Mother.' Sundry
young men who drifted in thai even
ing were soon calling her Mother"
In a week they were kissing her
window over there"
Forester gave no outward indica-
ton of the shock her words gave him.
He clearly remembered that after
young Melville's dance the next three
dances were his. 1t was during the
first of these. the one she now init
mated belonged to someone else, that
he had missed the girl. He knew.
therefore. hat she had deliberately
lied. that she put 1t squarely up to
him to protect her.
Protect her from what?" thought
Forester. "Wha was the frightful
new development in the mystery?"
f.Any other facts?" he asked aloud,
and received another shock when the
doctor handed him a small piece of
flmy white fabric.
II found this beside the body said
the doctor. Mote the peculiar odor.''
Forester lifted the fabric to his
nose. Instantly To- recognized the
same pungent, drug-'ike smell which
he had noticed the night he was at
tackled with the death mask. Exam
lining the nlmy bit Of cloth. Forester
saw that 1t was a part Of n ladys
I handkerchief which had been torn in
half. In ono corner the letter 49,
was embroidered. C%rumpiing the
handkerchief in his hand. Forester
pushed It into his waistcoat pocket.
81 believe I can make use OF this"