Evening star., 1926-09-23
M ysterious Sweetheart
BY ELLA WISTER HAINES
ELLA WISTER HAINES
(CoDyight. lo26.)

A tool yes! And she might yet es-
cape him,
The driver Of the car now spoke
to Carolita for the first time.
"If the Senorita," he bowed low
cap in hand, will oblige by sitting
in the front seat? l have much to
say to her"
Carolita obliged with all speed
This man was much more progresses
ing than Milana. He was not only
younger, but better looking and his
manner, so far. had been courteous
1t was a relief to escape from Milana
even though it meant being ques'
toned all over again.
And now her new friend began
as the car plunged forward once more,
II think that you will tell me your
whole story. l wish to know the cir
cumstances Of your life before you left
the convent, the letter which started
you on your journey. The instruc.
tions YOU received from the sisters
and every detail of your sea voyage
and journey from New York. Go slow
ly and omit nothing. We have yet
long drive ahead"
IF l tell you all this" Carolita
asked timidly, ''can you explain
things | long to know? Surely you
understand my difficult position?
have been threatened with death and
rushed about at such rate that |
am confused and exhausted, Where
are we going? What is the cause of
such strange events?'
1T is fair that you tell your story
first he replied. and Carolita, fear
ing to disobey, went lack to the be-
ginning and told it just as he
had asked. emitting nothing but the
midnight adventure in the Pullman
car. the ring she had seen upon the
white hand, the ring these men were
TO knew that the mysterious jewel
was in Pauls safe keeping. and by
this time he must also he in posses
sion of its companion. lie could keep
them until they met again. No mat
ter what happened, that part Of the
story should remain. a secret,
For a long time after she had fin
ished speaking the stranger at her
side remained silent. his eyes upon the
road ahead, his lips tightly closed.
He was a very handsome man, Caro-
lita reflected. with great charm Of
personality. She felt drawn to him
and gradually as the day wore on the
terrible fear which had clutched her
uuf lllE AIlS CARLY Ilou1S III the car
gave way to something like resigna-
ton. The stranger did not speak. and
she knew no more of her destination
than at the beginning of the journey.
Toward sunset the car halted again
and what remained of the provisions
furnished a meager repast.
Must we go yet another night ?"
Carolita asked when. after this brief
rest. she again took her place in the
front seat. Il am desperately tiredr'
Two hours more and you will
reach a house where you may rest :"
the driver of the car assured her
rs that where 1 am to lose my
life?" she ventured.
He shook his head.
Not in the way you think You
fear death? 1t will not be that. but
the loss of your only means of iden-
titication means that life holds little
for YOU. unless
Unless. what" she persisted.
There is one chance" he said. ''one
person who may he able to identify
you. We go To her now"
May | ask your nance" Carolita
gained courage to ask.
You may call me Milana." he re-
piled.
Carolita started in surprise.
The ame?' she inclined her head
to the occupant of the back seat, and
her companion nodded.
He is my older brother" he said
briefly.
Il had hoped" Carolita said after
a pause, that you might be my
guardian" and as he made no reply
she continued. what made your
brother so strangely Ill upon the
train? He appeared as one dead.
Every one was deceived 1t must he
dreadful for him to be so overtaken
While travelling. should think he
would not dare to venture upon a
journey alone
''He has had such seizures before,
hut not for many years. We thought
them safely past, but something that
he had eaten. or possibly something
that he drank produced another at
tack. 1t was indeed tragic. more so
than you can imagine, although you
are the chief sufferer
"Senor Milana. have / a mother?"
"Perhaps-perhaps not"
What do you mean hX that2 You