Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-08
CONTINUED from Yesterdays starr


1T was such a lovely day." she ex-
claimed. Il thought / would like
little round The woods with their
autumnal tints are SO perfect at this
time of year.
Caroline does not care a hang for
woods at any time of year. Normally
she regards them as places where you
get your feet damp, and where all
kinds of unpleasant things may drop
on your head. No, it was good sound
mongoose instinct which took her to
our local wood. 1t is the only place
adjacent TO the village of King s
Abbot where you can talk with a
young woman unseen by the whole
of the village. 1t adjoins the park of
Fernly.
We'll" I said, "go on
GAS [ say, l was just coming
through the wood when L heard
voices"
Caroline paused.
"Yes?"
lone was Ralph Patton 81 knew it
at once. The other was a girls. OF
course I didn't mean to listen-'
"Of course not" l interiected, with
patent sarcasm-Which was, however
wasted on Caroline.
But l simply couldn't help over
hearing. The girl said something
didn't quite catch what it was, and
Ralph answered. He sounded very
angry. My dear girl he said. Don t
you realize that it is quite on the
cards the old man will cut me off
with shilling? He's been pretty fed
up with me for the last few years. A
little more would do it. And we need
the dibs. my dear. l shall be a very
rich man when the old fellow pops
off. He's mean as they make EN-, but
he's rolling in money really. / don't
want him to go altering his will. You
leave it to me, and don't worry
Those were his exact words. / re-
member them perfectly. Unfortu-
nately, just then l stepped on a dry
twig or something, and they lowered
their voices and moved away. 1
couldn't, of course, go rushing after
them, so wasn't able to see who the
girl was
That must have been most vex-
ing" l said. II suppose, though, you
hurried on to the Three Bears, felt
faint, and went to the bar for a glass
of brandy, and SO We're able to see if
both the barmaids We're on duty?"
1T wasn't a barmaid," said Caro-
line, unhesitatingly. I'm fact, I'm al
most sure it was. Flora Ackroyd.
only
only it doesn't seem to make
sense" I agreed.
But if it wasn't Flora, who could
it have been?'
Rapidly my sister ran over a list of
maidens living in the neighborhood,
with profuse reasons for and against.
When she paused for breath. l
mur1nured something about a patient,
and slipped out.
l proposed to make my way to the
Three Bears. 1t seemed likely that
Ralph Patton would have returned
there by now.
/ knew Ralph very weIl--better,
perhaps, than any one else in Kings
Abbot, for 1 had known his mother
before him, and therefore l under
stood much in him that puzzled others
He was, to a certain extent, the vic
tim of heredity He had not inherited
his mothers fatal propensity for
drink, but nevertheless he had in him
strain of weakness. AS my new
friend Of this morning had declared,
he was extraordinarily handsome
Just on six feet, perfectly proportion
ed, with the easy grace of an athlete,
he was dark, like his mother, with a
handsome, sunburst face always ready
to break into smile. Ralph Patton
was OF those born to charm easily and
without effort. He was Self-indulgent
and extravaganza, with no veneration
for anything on eaMh, but he was
lovable nevertheless, and his friends
We're all devoted to him.
Could / do anything with the boy?
l thought l could.
On inquiry at the Three Bears 7
found that Capt. Patton had just come
in. / went up to his room and en-
tered unannounced.
For moment, remembering what
! had heard and seen, / was doubtful
Of my reception, but / need have had
no misgivings.
why, it's Sheppard! Glad to see
you
He came forward to meet me, hand
outstretched, sunny smile lighting
up his face.
THE one person 1 am glad to see
in this internal place."
| raised my eyebrows.
What's the place been doing?"
He gave a vexed laugh.
ITS a long story Things haven't
been going well with me, Doctor But
have a drink, won't you?"
Thanks, / said, Il will
He pressed the bell, then, coming
back, threw himself into chair.
mot to mince matters" he said,
gloomily, I'm in the devil of a mess.
In fact, haven't the least idea what
to do next"
Whats the natter" 1 asked, sym.
pathetically.
ITS my COMPOUNDED stepfather"
What has he done?"
1T isn't what he's done yet, but
what he's likely to do
The bell was answered and Ralph
ordered the drinks. When the man
had gone again, he sat hunched in
the armchair, frowning to himself.
us it really-serious?" l asked
lie nodded.
I'm fairly up against it this time"
he said, soberly.