The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-02-29

he destroyed it. He carried the first
message around Richmond golf course
with him, intending to dispatch his
caddy with 1t Immediately on the con-
clusion OF the round. The fresh air.
however, and the concentration re-
-quired BY the game, seemed to dispei
the nervous apprehensions with which
he had anticipated his visit, and over
an aperitif in the club bar he tore the
telegram into small pieces and found
himself even able to derive a cetrain
half-fearful pleasure from the thought
Of meeting again the woman who, to-
gether with her terrible story, had
never for one moment been out Of
his thoughts Andrew Wilmore, who
had observed his action, spoke of it
as they settled down to lunch.
$50 you are going to keep your en-
gagement tonight, Francis?" he OBJ
served.
The latter nodded.
after all, why not?" he asked, a lit
tie defiantly. at ought to be interest
Ing"
well, there's nothing Of the sordid
criminal. at any rate, about Oliver
Hilditch," Wilmore declared. Neither.
II one comes to think of it, does his
wife appear to be the prototype Of
suffering virtue. wonder II you are
wise to go, Francis?'
why not?" the man who had asked
himself that question dozen times
already, demanded.
Because" Wilmore replied coolly,
underneath that steely hardness Of
manner for which your profession is
responsible, you have vein Of senti-
ment, Of chivalrous sentiment, / should
say, which some day or other is bound
to get you into trouble. The woman
is beautiful enough to turn any ones
head. AS a matter of fact. I believe
that you are more than half in love
with her already"
Francis Ledsam sat where the sun
light fell upon his strong, forceful
face, shone, too, upon the table with
Its simple but pleasant appointments.
upon the tankard of beer by his side,
upon the plate of roast beef to which
he was already doing ample justice.
He laughed with the easy confidence
of man awakened from some haunt
ing nightmare, relieved to find his
feet once more firm upon the ground
Il have been a fool to take the
whole matter so seriously, Andrew"
he declared. Il expect to walk back
to Charges street tonight, disillusioned.
The man will probably present me with
"Well, what about the woman?" VIII
more asked, after brief pause.
"Oh, I don't known Francis de-
clared, little impatiently. 1.-THE wom-
an is the mystery, of course. Prob
ably my brain was little over-excited
when came out of court, and what
imagined to be an epic was nothing
more than a tissue of exaggerations
from a disappointed wife. However,
I'm sure I'm doing the right thing to
go there"
The two men returned to town to-
gether afterwards. Wilmore to the
club and Francis to his rooms in
Charges street to prepare for dinner1
AT few minutes to eight he rang the
bell of number 10 b, Hill street, and
found his host and hostess awaiting
him in the small drawing-room into
which he was ushered It seemed to
him that the woman, still colorless,
again marvelously gowned, greeted
him coldly. His host, however, was
almost too effusive There was no
other guest, but the prompt announce
ment of dinner dispelled what might
have been q few moments Of embar-
rassment after Oliver Hilditch's almost
too cordial greeting. The woman laid
her fingers upon her guests coat
sleeve. The trio crossed the little
hall almost in silence.
Dinner was served in small white
Georgian dining room, with every APP
purtenance of almost sybaritic luxury.
The only light in the room was thrown
upon the table by two purple-shaded
electric lamps. and the servants who
waited seemed to pass backwards and
forwards like shadows in some mys-
teri0us twilight-even the faces of the
three diners themselves were out Of
the little pool of light until they leaned
forward. The dinner was chosen with
taste and restraint, the wines were
not only costly but rare. A watchful
butler, attended now and then by a
trim parlor maid, superintendent the
service. Only once, when she ordered
a bowl of flowers removed from the
table, did their mistress address either
of them. Conversation after the first
few amenities speedily became almost
a monologue. One man talked whilst
the others listened. and the man who
talked was Oliver Hilditch. He pos
sessed the rare gift Of imparting color
and actuality in few phrases to the
strange places of, which he spoke, of
bringing the very thrill of,strange hap
penings into the shadowy room. 1t
seemed that there was scarcely coun-
try of the world which he had not Wis
tied, a country, that is to say, where