Evening star., 1933-10-02

nv attempted. At the time he had
v first taken DR.. Snyder'S place
he had thought the sending for
minister had been ruSe on lreneiS
art to gain time and make covert
ppeal for help. Now he realized that
lle had really wanted the sanction OF
elgion for the sacrifice she was about
b make and that she had wrung that
S a last deSpalring concession from
he monster who had her in his power.
Now Vern had upset that applicant
nd unless he confessed his trick and
Eas bundled impotently back to the
acht the only thing he had done was
% tear away from Irene the one tiny
prop she clung to as solace to carry
With her into the terrifying shadows.
1t was rather a question to Vern's
hind whether anything would be
aimed now by revealing to Dummy"
hat he was not an ordained cleric.
md it certainly would have the effect
Il putting him Immediately out OF all
ouch with the situation and the pos
ibility of taking a hand in case any,
hing violent happened.
Evidently Irene guessed the Self-con-
emnatory thoughts which were going
through Verns mind, for she said:
Never mind. After all, I'd as soon
pc married by you as by any one. 1t
oesn't really matter in case OF this
ort, does it?"
To Vern nothing mattered. save that
he was being torn from him. but to
Women he knew that weddings did
halter They are inStinctively and by
bitter experience the cuStodians of the
Conventions, and rightly SO. To them
legal marriage is an anesthetic which
AN make endurable the most dreadful
nightmare of a diStasteful mating
Still masking his real emotions under
he language of a churchman, Vern
old her: Il was afraid that you might
pc unhappy about having the cere-
nony performed by a clergyman who
vas not of your own denomination"
That" Irene assured him, lis not
tremendously material"
Vern looked at her sharply. Was
he girl jesting or did her speech con-
ey a hidden message? 1t was exas-
berating to be obliged to talk in rid
les this way. There must be some
practical subterfuge which would gain
few moments of straightforward con-
Fersation with the girl he loved, the
kirl who, incredible as it seemed, had
kissed him the night before.
While We are waiting for the re-
urn of the witnesses" Vern suggested,
1 should like very much to be shown
through your house and grounds. They
ire charming and stepped in a mellow
1avor of the old-time South, which
has not been nearly SO we'll preserved
n other cavalier Colonial homes which
have visited"
Irene was visibly distressed. "I
|hould like very much to show you
(round, but 1 think 1 ought to stay
here while my brother is up in the tree
op. Not that 1 worry exactly, but I
Want him to know where I am"
Oh Vern comprehended.
Perhaps at some"
Tap, tap, tap, tap"
Irene stopped short in her speech
Ind made sign to Vern to be silent,
oo
Two dots That was "I' in interna-
ional Morse. Vern could guess that
he master Of the Cane Key used it as
sort of 'attention" signal when he
Wished to communicate with Irene.
The tap. tap" came again. 1t was
being raped out on the floor some
where.
Irene took her fathers cane and re-
beated the signal
In taps came the message
Vern could translate it himself, but
be thought it best to let Irene COM
hunicate the permission to him.
He says that I may show you over
he place. she told him.
That will be very interesting. I'm
lure. 1t will seem good to walk about