The Glenwood post., 1923-04-12

tnerE Sne asked.
"That is the picture of EatonT
"Yes."
81 thought So"
She tried to assure herself of the
shade of the meaning in her fathers
tone; but she could not She under
stood that her recognition of the pic
ture had satisfied him in regard to
something over which he had seen in
doubt; but whether this was to work
in favor of Hugh and herself-she
thought of herself now inseparably
with Hugh-or whether 1t threa tened
them, she could not tell
"Father, what does this mean?" she
cried to him.
"What, dearT'
"Your having the picture. Where
did you get it?"
81 knew where 1t might be. sent
for it."
"But-but, Father" It came to
her now that her father must know
who Hugh was. "Who-"
II know who he is now," her fa-
ther said calmly. 81 will tell you when
can"
when you CAM"
Yes" he said. Where Is Avery 2"
as though his mind had gone to an
other subject instantly.
He has not been in, believe. since
noon"
He is overseeing the search for
Eaton?'
'Yes."
"Send for him. Tell him l wish to
,cs him here at the house; he Is to
remain within the house until / have
seen him."
Something in her fathers tone
startled and perplexed her; SHE
thought of Donald now only as the
Inost eager and most vindictive of
Eaton's pursuers Was her father
removing Donald from among those
seeking Eaton? Was he sending for
him because what he had just learned
was something which would make
more rigorous and desperate the
search? The blind mans look and
manner told her nothing.
You mean Donald is to wait here
until you send for him, FatherT"
"That is it"
1t was the blind mans tone of dis
missal. He seemed to have forgotten
the picture; at least, as his daughter
moved toward the door, he gave no
direction concerning it. She halted
looking back at him. She would not
carry the picture away, secretly, like
this. She was not ashamed of her
love for-Eaton; whatever might be said
or thought of him, she trusted him;
She was proud of her love for him.
May l take the picture?" she asked
steadily.
DO whatever you want with it."
her father answered quietly.
And so she took it with her. She
found servant of whom she inquired
for Avery; he had not returned so
she sent for him. She went down to
the deserted library and waited there
with the picture of Hugh in her hand.
The day had drawn to dusk. She
could no longer see the picture in the
fading light; she could only recall 1t;
and now, as she recalled it, the pic
ture itself-not her memory Of her
fathers manner in relation to it
gave her vague discomfort. She got
UP suddenly, switched on the light
and, holding the picture close to 1t,
ture that gave her this strange un-
easiness quite separate and distinct
from all that she had felt when she
first looked at it, she could not tell;
but the more she studied 1t, the more
troubled and frightened she grew.
The picture was plain, unre-
touched print pasted upon common
square cardboard without photogra-
piers emboss or signature; and
printed with the picture, were four
plain, distinct numerals-S253. She
did not know what they meant or If
they had any real significance, but
somehow now she was more afraid
for Hugh than she had been. She
trembled as she held the picture again
to her cheek and then to her lips.
She turned; some one had come in
from the hall; 1t was Donald. She
saw at her first glance at him that his
neuICH nuu Hot yet SuCceeueu uHu SIel
threw her head back in relief. See
ing the light he had looked into the
library idly; but when he saw her.
he approached her quickly.
"What have you thereY' he demand
ed Of her.
She flushed ut the tone "What
right have you to ask?" Her instant
impulse had been to conceal the pic
ture. but that would make 1t seem she
was ashamed of it; she held 1t so Don
aid could see 1t If he looked. He did
look and suddenly seized the picture
from her. "Where did you get this,
Harriet"
"Donw
"Where did you get it?" he repeat
ed. Are you ashamed to sayY
Ashamed? Father gave 1t to me r.
"Your father!" Avery startedi but
! If anything had caused him apprehen-