Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-11

You're married, he tells me, madame"
Yes, am married, and practically divorced"
Have you been living here long?"
about three months" she answered ut
his wish that I should live here"
DC you know Officer Burnett?"
He saw dull flush come to her face and
die away again.
"Yes I know the sloppy fool!" she said
viciously. And then. realizing that she had been
surprised into expression which was not al
together ladylike, she went on, in softer tone:
MIR. Burnett is rather sentimental, and don't
like sentimental people, especially-well, you
understand, Mr.. -"
"Reeder," murmured that gentleman.
you understand Mr.. Reeder, that when a
girl Is engaged and in my position, that kind
of attentions is not very welcome"
Reeder looking at her keenly. Of her
sorrow and distress there could be no doubt.
ION your birthday" he said How very
sad! You we're born on the 18th of October"
YES" she said shortly. II was born in
Walworth-in Wellington. once lived in Wal
worth"
How old are you?"
''Twenty-three," she answered.
Mr.. Reeder took off his glasses and polished
them on a large silk handkerchief.
1.-The whole thing is ineXpressibly sad" he
said. II am glad to have had the opportunity
of speaking with you, young lady I SYM
pathize with you very deeply"
And in this unsatisfactory way he took his
departure.
CHE closed the door on him, saw him stop
in the middle of the path and pick up
something from border bed, and wondered,
frowning. why this middle-aged man had picked
up the horse shoe she had thrown through the
window the night before. Into Mr.. Reeders
tail pocket went this piece of rusted steel and
then he continued his thoughtful way to the
nursery gardens, for he had few questions
to ask.
The men of section 10 were parading for
duty when Mr.. Reeder came timidly into the
charge room and produced his credentials to
the inspector in charge.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Reeder," said the officer affably.
I'VE have had note from the p. P.'s Office,
and think had the pleasure of working with
you on that big forgery case few years ago.
Now what can do for you? Burnett?
Yes, he's here"
He called the mans name and a young and
good-lcoking officer stepped from the ranks.
He's the man who discovered the murder
he's marked for promotion" said the inspector.
Burnett, this gentleman is from the public
prosecutors Office and he wants little talk
with you. Better use my Office, Mr.. Reeder."
The young policeman saluted and followed
the shutting figure into the privacy Of the in
spectors Office.
"They tell me that you are something of
poet, officer" said Mr.. Reeder.
Burnett blushed.
Love poems, yes?" asked the other gently.
"One finds time in the night-er-for such
fancies. And there is no inspiration hke-er
love, officer"
Burnett's face was crimson
1--WE done bit Of writing in the night, SIR"
he said, though I've never neglected my duty"
Naturally" murmured Mr.. Reeder. "You
have poetcal mind. 1t was poetical thought
to pluck flowers in the middle Of the night"
1.-THE nurseryman told me could take any
7 - inf tol hoC kf1rT
Reeder inclined his head in agreement
THAT I know. You picked the flowers in
the dark-by the way, you inadvertently in
cluded Michaelmas daisy with your chrysan-
themums-tied up your little poem to them and
left them on the doorstep with-er-a horse
shoe. wondered what had become of that
horseshoe"
'T threw them up to her-to the lady's
window sill" corrected the uncomfortable young
man. Gas a matter Of fact, the idea didn't
occur to me until had passed the house"
Mr. Reeders face was thrust forward
This is what I want to confirm" he said
softly. THE idea of leaving the flowers did
not occur to you until you had passed her
house? The horseshoe suggested the thought?
Then you went back picked the flowers, tied
them up with the little poem you had already
written, and tossed them up to her window
We need not mention the lady's name"
Il don't know how you guessed that, but it is
fact. If I've done anything wrong"
ut is never wrong to be in love-" said Mr..
J. G. Reeder soberly. Love is a very beautiful
experience have frequently read about it."
Miss Magda Grayne had dressed to go out
for the afternoon and was putting on her hat,
when she saw the queer man who had called
so early that morning walking up the tessel-
lated path. Behind him she recognized a de-
tective engaged in the CASE The servant was
out; nobody could be admitted except by her
SELF She walked quickly behind the dressing
table into the bay of the window and glanced
up and down the road. Yes there was the taxi
cab which usually accompanies such visitations
and standing by the driver, another man.