Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-12

ara &raSpeQ MS lovely DurQeIl
Helen kicking feebly and yoicinl
my 1ady's naughty spirit ant
disdain, that fierce temper with which
she had struck Sir Richard only
few hours before.
"The dew" he explained. "It lie
heavy and fear for thy pretty feet"
ooh, 'tis hateful to abuse my help
lessness." but my lady's voice betrayed
her utter lack Of scorn and its gentle
ness surprised even herself.
Keeping close to the shadows OF thu
garden, Sir Richard carried my lady
and she, nesting within his arms. fell
a delightful sense Of repose and com
handsome head against Sir Richards
shoulder.
Thus they came to a rustic seat be.
meath an ancient cherry tree and care.
fully he placed her upon 1t, seating
himself beside her. Once more he I'm.
folded the letter to the moonlight anc
together they read 1t carefully.
"Our Thomas becometh somewhat
vague in places" said Sir Richard.
But" said Helen, pointing to Ger.
tain line, "this Is clear enough" anc
forthwith she read:
"'Should you hear aught Of hi:
whereabouts hasten to tell me, fol
naught Is well until he Is took
Richard, this surely means you
Into her voice had come again that
exquisite note Of tenderness.
There ensued a silence, and Helen
grasping Richards arm with both hel
hands, watched his thoughtful features
as he studied Tom Pitts scrawling-
the bold line Of nose and brow, the
somber eyes, the sensitive mouth and
the square jut Of chin. A strong
face? Yes, decidedly A good face?
Beyond all doubling! Now, as my lady
sighed Sir Richard turned his look into
her uplifted eyes and she saw In his
mobile lips curve Of unexpected ten
dernesS.
you feel cold?" he questioned.
bending to peer at the letter again
1.-THE night is very warm. But what
more make you O. this rougish mes
sage2" 49,, ,.oa
mill inspires me to prophesy that verify
haunted It's like to be. And so much
for this. So come We now to thysel1
and myself"
"And what Of me?" she asked.
"Well, first thou art my Helen!"
"And thou art presumptuous!" said
she, though her voice was kinda ca
ress and not a reproach.
Second. thourt mine own especial
housebreaker that, caught + the very
act, yet faced me undaunted-
MAY, Richard, VOW no poor soul
was ever more fearful than L"
Then art drawer than I deemed!'
said he, and took her hand In both OF
his. ALSO, twas to serve thy friend!'
Here he raised her hand to his lips
and kissed it. My lady nestled closer
to Sir Richard, her Slim hand still helc
firmly in his grasp. Again they sat
silent, reluctant to break the peaceful
quiet Of the enchanted night. At las
my lady spoke in voice meek and small
ere You fo,,nS l. the rem ring yoS had Ios
to one thought you you left Il
to ward suspicion from me at peril o.
your life {. wherefore?"
"You were my friend"
"And would be so STILL" she answer.
ed; "thy ever grateful friend"
Then, Helen, in friendships name
I bid you tell me where is your cats.
eye ring?"
IT lost It," she answered. turning Il
him in swift surprise. But why d.
you@"
Helen. tell me how you lost 1t. ant
when?"
NAY, I'm not sure, yet I think 'twa
when the masked man stayed me II
the lane. Mistaking this man for you
I grew angry and dashed my purs
| meath his horses feet, and so flercel.
that my gauntlet few Off, and with 1t
I think, my ring, though missed !
not until next day. But why so grave?
Because with his last breath Julial
spoke me this warning: Ware, Dick
the cats eye"
For q moment they sat utterly still
looking upon each other and never
word. :.
"oh. Richard" sighed she at las
in awful whisper, "then you think n
saw ton his slayer's hand-my cat
eye ring?"
"Would it fit mans finger. Helen?
"No-yesl I'm not sure, but 'twa
loose on mine"
"These white fingers!" said he, AM
took her hand into his warm, vita
clasp again.
der where now it Is"
I'D give much to know" said h
thoughtfully. But enough O. this; n
more O. the past. I'll tell thee OF tn
what canst thou know Of the future
Richard?"
"That shall WOO thee" he an
swered. "Ay, and further prophes
that this thy Richard shall suddenl
vanish awhile and yet, so vanished, b
nearer than thou, or any, dream.
prophesy that because thou art womal
very tender and compassionate tho
shalt yet come to think on thy Richar,
with an ever-growing kindness. unit
one day perchance shalt be glad t
know him so very truly thy Richard II
command I prophesy that Richar!
vanished, his glad ghost shall yet watcl
over thee till at last this murder shall
! to clutch and seize thee to his heart
and then-how say you, Helen?"
may, prophet, speak thou" she muir
INJURED.
| But even as she uttered the words
distant clock chimed 4.
"Richard, dawn is upon. us!"
Gas 7 did prophesy!" he nodded
"Here have we sat the night through,
sighed he. "Nor have presumed y
kiss thee once!"
Indeed. but you have, Shiny hands
both of them!"
"But never thy lips. Helen. Nor shal
I ever until my name be clean ana
myself, rnayhap, something NOR
now. looking into his somber eyes
she caught her breath as II indeed sn
had read there something beyond ex
pectation wonderful.
And when she had vanished into tn
house he strobe away, and in. his eye
| q radiance not of the dawn.
"And we do pronounce verdict o
! vilful murder 'gainst Sir Richar'
! Guyfford Of Weare, baronet."
The inquest, indeed, had been bu
| a perfunctory business. Witness ate
| witness had been called and examines
| while Sir Richard, crouched at tn
/ Judas, had watched, listened an
learned MANY things about himself.
re was q sot. O careless landlord,
il -. "a ..inA us.a oSdl life friend q