Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-14

during the fight who said he had
picked up the story from some person
unnamed.
Panton himself denied that he was
either aware Of or had mentioned any
such outcome Of the attack where
upon Connington. recalled. admitted
he might have been mistaken in that
particular. but point ed out that the
threatened lack OF Mills bombs seemed
10 disturb his company commander
rather more than the circumstances
warranted if the show promised -
be nothing out of the ordinary.
This phase of the inquiry was in
vestigated fully. but every witness
reached a dead end when questioned
as TO the source Of the rumor. l.
appeared that Connington led the
company with great skill and bravery
during fierce and protracted engage
ment. which cost the battalion nine
officers and nearly two hundred rank
and file in killed and wounded Il
was generally supposed that the ser
geant major would be recommended
for the d. c. NJ. and a commission, but
in the sequel neither was awarded.
That was as far as Panton's ac-
Cuaintance with the main features Of
the affair went. He would never for
get how his very soul was pierced by
the point of his sword extended TO-
ward him on a table when he was
taken to hear the finding of the court.
After that his life was blank He
did not ask why he had escaped the
death penalty. He crossed the chan
mel like one whose mind was de
ranged by melancholia, making
straight for Inverlochtie driven hy
some vague notion that he must have
1t out with his father
Now. Maj. Alistair Panton had
taken no part in the proceedings.
While on the actual date Of his Cou-
sins curious collapse he was fifty
miles away, engaged on transport
work. in which he was al admitted
expert. OF what avail to badger ones
brains in the effort to involve him in
the CHASTITY business? John Panton
saw the folly of it for the hundredth
time. Vet some secret nerve urged him
to drag Alistair into some nook where
no other could interfere. and force
from him an ayoWal of guilt. even
though he should be brought To
deaths door before he confessed.
John closed the notebook in i'm
potent anger when he saw Maple
Leslie approaching across the lawn.
The gardener said you were here"
she said gayly. You look as though
YOU were enjoying the fine weather.
so hop i'm and be miserable for tea
Il have just come to the conclusion
that ! had better take the next
steamer for Canada" he said, rising
That very idea. has been the MAX
ing of many a man" she retorted.
Anyhow. tea is ready. and you'll
probably change your mind twice he
fore dinner. What's given you the
hump this afternoon"
"A careful review of all the cir
cumstances which led tn my iCnomin-
ious dismissal from his majesty's
service
The girls bright face paled. and her
air of banter flew.
lis that really true. john" she
said wistfully.
Absolutely true. I may have been
more sinned against than SHINING. but
the plain fact remains. that after q
full review of the evidence I can only
find myself guilty
For moment there was silence.
Maple Leslie wanted to cry. but
forced herself 10 speak instead.
TELL me, John. even though il
hurts. she said. Did Eileen Grant
believe that of you?"
Thank God, she never knew.-un-
less Alistair--ah. that is il! That is
how he broke her to his will, May
my little friend, if | don't get away
from the old country soon | shall kill
The answer was unexpected and
highly distasteful. May Leslie bit her
lip so as to keep that unruly tongue
of hers quiet. If John wanted to beat
up Abstain, well. let hint was Il
way men had. But why couldn't he
drive that girl out of his thoughts?
What was the use. anyhow?
Not many minutes before the first
guest reached Braeside, Wimbledon, a
young woman came through an open
French window Of the fine old stone
at Inverlochtie in the high
lands, crossed Il paved terrace, and
stood near flight of broad steps lead
ing to a garden. She was in evening
dress, but. though to the manner
born, or. more likely, because she
knew her 1nverness-shire even on a
fine evening in late July. a warm and
feecy white shawl protected her neck
and shoulders.
lCopyright. 1925 BY Louis Iracy.l
CONTINUED tomorrow