Evening star., 1941-07-04

figure, standing there peering un-
certainly at her. All fear left Nancy
as she caught the murmured words.
They told me there was a girl
here. thought it might be Beatrice.
But you are not Beatrice You are
not Beatrice, are you?" There was
childish disappointment in tine
quavering voice
No, am not Beatrice"
She has gone away, and I can't
find her. Do you know where she
is?"
mo, I'm sorry. Won't you let me
take you back to your room now?
You must be cold"
"Yes-yes I'll go. I only came
because I thought Beatrice"
There was hurried tap on the
door, and a middle-aged woman
entered.
Mana, it was naughty of you to
come in here and disturb the young
lady. I'm very sorry, Miss. Shes
really quite harmless. though"
Nancy drew the woman aside.
| VINO is she!
Only old Mana. She's been a
little queer in the head since Miss
Beatrice died. Shed rursed her
from a baby, and took her death
very hard, She's forgotten now that
Miss Beatrice is dead, and is always
| looking for her"
Morning Brings Change.
Poor old thing. Will she so with
you?'
"Oh, yes. She's always gentle and
obedient. Come on now, Mana.
Come with Marie. Good night,
Miss Duyal."
They went out, Marie half leading
the pathetic figure, and Nancy
turned off the light and went back
to bed. But not to sleep so easily.
Her thoughts kept racing around in
circles.
What a strange household into
| which she had come! While she
was not in the least afraid of the
old woman who was queer, Nancy
sensed hidden currents here, things
under the surface. Mrs. Sinclair
| herself was not an ordinary person,
either. And above all, there was
the shadow of the dead girl hover
ing over them. Nancy shivered sud-
! denly
In the light of a crisp, clear Oc-
tober morning her fears of the night
before vanished. Birds were sing
| ing in the giant oaks outside, and
from the south window of her room
Nancy caught a glimpse of sun
shine glittering on the blue of water
She thought of how fearful she had
! been the night before, and laughed
! as she turned on the shower in the
immaculate little bathroom. 1t had
| probably been a powder room in the
days when the Fairfield family had
occupied the stately old mansion.
A Tempting Meal.
Emerging radiant from a hot and
cold shower. she got into one of the
white, finely tucked dresses, and a
high sense of adventure possessed
her. She was one of the girls in
white, a nurse starting out on her
| first case.
The corridor in front of Mrs. Sim
clair's suite was deserted, but as
Nancy approached she saw Marie
emerge.
The maid greeted her with a
friendly smile, Good morning
miss. Mrs. Sinclair is still asleep
she hardly ever rises before II
o'clock. There's plenty of time fol
you to have your breakfast first"
Then I'll go down. Is Mana al
right this morning."
| About as usual, miss. She liked
you-don't be surprised if she pays
you another visit before too long
So if you don't want her coming ir
at night it's best to keep the door
locked"
Breakfast was laid on the lone
oak buffet in one of the first floor
rooms-frozen raspberries covered
with clotted cream, egg and mush.
room omelet, snowy rolls with but.
ter and honey.
I'll have to count my calories
on this job" Nancy thought, as she
helped herself from the silver
dishes.
AS she sat down Gregory saun-
tered in and greeted her smilingly
He was wearing gray tlannels thi,
morning, and was even better look.
ing than she remembered. Yet
there was something about him thai
aroused certain antagonism II
Nancy; perhaps it was the gay anc
unblushing sindolence he seemed tt
suggest.
A Strain Evident.
He was helping himself at tn,
buffet when there was a firm, de,
termined tread outside, and anothe,
man entered the room. Gregor,
glanced up, and surprise, mingled
with some other not so recogniz
able emotion, crossed his fac'
swiftly.
well! If it isn't my esteemed
cousin! Fancy meeting you here
Miss Duval, may I present DR.. Law
renee Sinclair?"
DR.. Sinclair bowed gravely, ignor.
ing the mockery in Gregory's voice
He was man of medium heigh
with fair hair and deep-set gra,
eyes. AS his glance met Gregory
it was like the clashing of swords
but he moved quietly over towart
the buffet. Nancy continued will
her meal, but she could not be un
aware of the tension which had on
tered the room with him.
Rather surprise visit, isn't II
Larry? When did you arrive, AM
how did you manage to tear your
self from the dear little test tubes?
II came last night-got here afte
2, and I brought the test tubes will
me, as 1t happens. You were no
here when I arrived.
mo" drawled Gregory. IT had
date with one of the village maid
ems"
fzJG H.