EVENING LEDGER-PHILADELPHIA. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1915.,
, c
tTHE BLUE BUCKLE
A BAFFLIJNU MXSTWKX AINU J3KEATHLESS TALE OF ADVENTURE
By WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE V-UiNiuiu
Author of "The Red Mouse," "The Running Fight," "Cntsnaw." Elr
.r.-rrl.M. 1914. McBrlde. N..t Co.)
ovunpRtfl.
'"' .-.... i air, iitit"'" ... --- . it
. ifwMrf W ?;,?i"ii, icim Tier Invalid
tftl -X 0 , board l J- Baron HeMer-
irtfi o flww,nlT,7 ... if-- Tnlcotf. loiter
1SSHrt'.5!2 JK, Vl7Im operator I.
tft1grsurAL
CHAPTER IV-Contlnued.)
if. and sliranK ..- -
' . . ,,,,, nn one not
w
'"a, not I can lru.t no one-not even
vn? .'& BBiure' ihou6h ? it
. , t CmlB'o heart to pounding In hi.
fun!, "t Crt'B gecmc( t0
., rtof acknowledgment that she was
Sum to trust him above all other
ZL.he realized the confesBlon under
m? Mr Vorde. for .he loosened the
L w nal tUB- ttnd turned ,a I0,
r ,?hnew that she v. a. hiding It In the
Crg knew u bt0ast.
"."'?. .he taccd him again the ship'.
Ju,t uId above their heads. The girl
fhW!l mtd"y w ttl hlm Bnd found
lan"Lrdlng her with a steady eye.
lm h rushed 1 Into her cheeks until
"Im,? the pale drawn look of fright.
,he lii.J i whether from confusion or
"rtcSi' could not discover. Bho
"" to realize his right to the oxplana
,1"msd had not a. yet asked In words.
"?.? ?Souiht that wo had evaded them.
,, . .Mh "urprlw and shock to find
"INCH c
ihit any one Knew ""'"-"," t.rt-i.
Inc. to set lti
she began, henltatlngly
''u mean-r Prompted Cra,g.
"You mean-
Why-the blue bucKic. 01 otujk.
U ,ooks odd. of course but 1 dor, t
. why any ono tw ;
f,ni. ihcy know what It means."
"nvnat docs It mean?" nsked Craig
........ t mniil sncrl lco nolltcness
;fo get to the bottom o? this sjatary. If
fflKsn had led the subject up
ibruptly to this same blue miCKie.
jorui...r ...,.. .u ..mint- unman
The I00K which " "
fashed back at him was a muto Plea, for
indulgence, a charmlnB apology for being
not wholly frnnk with him.
"I'm not quite sure. That Is, I-wcll. I
don't exactly know." she evaded. "
A half-nmllc crept around Crnlg s lips,
u he continued to look In her eyes.
"Oh, I know It seems silly!" she ex
claimed. "I really don't know what It
means; but I know that I mustn't lose It
-that something dreadful would happen!
Tint Is the reason why I've kept It al
orays In my sight."
She turned, as If Impatient of this silent
cross-examination. The chill of her sud
den reserve startled Rutherford's finer
sensibilities Into life. He dreaded losing
a fraction of the little progress ho had
made toward the real self of this nllur
1ns woman 'Might she not, Indeed, ho
telling him the simple truth? The Idea
cama to Tlutherford that her elderly hus
'fcand, that man of such distinguished
bearing nnd classically handsome face,
was using her very Innocence and fascina
tion to serve some underhanded purpose
cf his own She was being made n cats
jw, was being hurled Into unseen
dangers-the recent attack of that stocky
man showed It while the real criminal
jlaytd Invalid, nnd shielded himself be
hind a woman's skirts! The violent blood
ruhed Into Craig's face, as this disturb
ing" thought came homo to him. Im
petuoualy he lenned forward nnd with
in action so swift that she could not
lvo.'d It, he took one of her hands In both
Ms pwn and again gazed straight Into her
eies.
"Mrs. Talcott," ho said, In a voice
vibrant with sunnressed emotion, "a mo-
"mertt ago you said you could trust no
"eno-rnot even me! You are wrong. You
can trust me. I may seem presumptuous
In prying thus Into your affnlrs. but It Is
only because I want to help you. You
way be In danger you seem alone. Will
)ou not trust me and let me help you
In any and every event?"
She gently released her hand, and met
his Imnassloneil look with a clear caza
' that teemed to read his very soul. Ho
nier laitercd, although he felt that she
ja appraising him for all time to come
Then a smile so wonderfully blended of
the glint of laughter nnd the shine of
tears that the man could scarcely pre
erve his calm "attention" gaze, shone
Up at him.
"Mr, Itutherford, I thank you." she
said with simple sincerity. "Perhaps
there will be no danger let us hope
there will be none but If there Is, or any
other occasion nrlses I shall remember!"
It was a confused but effective little
Pech-et Craig, man-like, was dis
appointed, nnd showed It. Sho was
'zfd Uli a kindly impulse to explain.
'You see, no one must know"
"But l"
.. . . .
, .u, noi oven you at least, not now.
II must try to carry It through alone."
L Before he could speak again, she
jturncd ami hurried away.
tf CHAPTER V.
A SUMMONS FROM THE ROYAL
SUITE.
, . muiienora rcu as ir some one
a,, ttrucl ''Mil a well-directed blow.
erivlnir a terrible and Insistent question
'J? h'a brain. "I must try to cany It
IhrouRh alone!" What else did she mean
tWliat else COUlll shn mean rni th
I smuggling?
LThe glamour of that beautiful, condd
em smile was still upon him. fighting
C .5 "" mcanliiff conveyed by her last
?!' ,niltnrford tried to bring hlm
mL? ller Psslbl Point of view. He
iirf l malie "'mself understand that a
Jin. otherwise Kood and honorable, might
regard smuggling valuables Into a coun
i7. "I ?. Wtlmate sort of business He
-Ki- L,, . . . K woiiovo uiui a Kin iiko
7ii "'?.' " nave been reared with the
W..i "i 'J!at smuggling was a perfectly
L'S?'111118 wai ot earning a llvlng
l, !!., resPtable. In fact, as running
rh.?'11"n,e, establishment. She might
en lock upon It as requiring high men
W development He knew that there
. 'f Jnaiy people who regarded petty
iffi w J.'... -P?.Bilm.!Taa ".m.ethl"B
ffcif!?.' ?.ome. f the very passengers-
ltioin il whQ Wfre now ready to
.--.-. ... iiuBer or scorn ot the Talcotts
th it, ia y 1uallng In their boots at
jj- . v ui iiib cuaioms omcersi uuj,
4r7 & ha mlErlil ha. nniiM n. .,.,. 1.1.
iVA 01ahloneU notions with regard to
InVv !h"S8 un wore han he could
E5 ,hl lrl a party to them. And yet
; 1d J81, what did she mean?
fin?,!1 r,vexln question thrust Itself
ft. "oromence beside the first What
Rhi i" ,I,0W C0Ul1 It possibly aid In
rman iJn r 3eweU? Ani vet that
r,: - " " oeen, one or in
J7'"" mem tnat fellow who had
ft fi ... "er WBS trying to seize tn
K,... T1 mu" fy cay 1' through
??. "-he haa Bald' It-What was it?
RHUtterford tramDed crrlmlv alone tha
age. The blue buckle was a blind.
tS!Jf ,,.w?3 "18 unsuspecting tool of an
ept Villain Who nnsirl am h.r. kiiahanA
recallesfl with what courteous cold
Ja Mr Talcott had repulsed every et
Sit on me part of the passenger, to
ir,i 8 aM"alntance of his fair com-
c-w. ,vnai ne had thought was the
fljwnpy Jealousy of an elderly husband.
-- juung wire attracted too much at
uon. now appeared to be the clever
iw. a rrook to protect hlmeelf from
"W and possible detection. Ituther-
ftOuld ha.n fniinif M. ndrlaln ajitl..
lOll In thai Ihnimli, .(.afr- !.! h. a H rtt-m.
'r otm luoua tp or inconsiderate of
1 j.;..: " ' w nw tianii) sue n wai
B4 ejVin bi aJendet eeltlOtt.
,-
What0VIr Mr. Tntnnll mII.I Via In nlt.B-a
he was tho perfection of kindness and
affcttlon to the young creature who hung
about him nnd tended the sick man with
manifest love. And so, all Rutherford's
reasoning got him nowhere.
During tho succeeding days, na th
steamer neared her port, tho young man
grew moro nnd more restless. He sought
other opportunities to sneak to Mrs. Tal
cott alone, but found none. Meanwhile,
the story of tho smugglers poisoned the
minds of nearly every one else. Rumors
nitttd about among tho passengers.
Those who had formed pleasant ncqualnt
an during the voyage suddenly found
chill nnd suspicion spoiling them. The
entire first cabin becamo a placo of fer
ment and discontent, The few bearded
men dodged about as inconspicuously as
imooioie, or appeared unwarrantably
brazen In their efforts to seem abovo sus
picion. The situation was not without
Ita humor, but for once Rutherford was
blind to the funny side ot things. He
could do nothing but worry over tho
twdln or rather the one who seemed
uneontclous of, or Indifferent to, nil this
covert suspicion. And, try as ho might,
ne found no chance to get within speak
ing dlstancu of Mrs. Talcott unwntched
by the invalid or the secret-scrvlco men,
Rutherford's discomfort and uneasiness
were not lessened when, on his return
to his stateroom, ono morning, ho found
many trifling evidences that his things
had been disturbed.
He hurried Into the smoking room nnd
found other men fuming and fussing over
similar surroptltlous searches in their
quarters. This was strange. Certainly all
tho pnssongcrs could not bo under sus
picion, nnd If they were he knew of no
legal right for such overhauling. It looked
na if the net wero gradually being hauled
In around the Talcotts, and this general
sflurchwere merely n pretense. But tho
whole performance struck him ns at
variance with Government procedure nnd
moie like tho work of private detectives.
TCavnrthp l-.fi-. It waa ilfMrlndlv nnnovlnr.
I and Rutherford listened In silent sym
pathy while the mon pouied out their
vials of wrath upon tho whole situation.
Presently a voice nt his elde claimed
his attention
"Mr. Helderman would be glad to have
you Join him In his room, sir."
Crnlg started up, glad of nny distrac
tion. Die financier's valet una standing
respectfully waiting for a reply.
"Very well. Toll him I shall bo there in
15 minutes If that's agreeable"
The man bowed and withdrew Craig
did not know Just why he had not fol
lowed the man nt once Porhaps he did
not want to teem to be dancing attend
ance upon the occupant of tnc roal
suite. Pel haps ho wanted breathing spaco
to think things over, before trusting
himself with tho lynx-eyed German, At
any rate he stattcd to his own room first.
As ho walked noiselessly ahead over
the rubber carpet he saw two men stand
ing between his own door and that of
lira. Talcott. They were so absorbed In
their investigations that they did not no
tice his approach.
"The door's always locked!" ono com
plained. "She keeps the key," the other asserted.
The two men huirled olt in oppLSlle di
rections tho moment thej ijllmpsed
Rutherford, but n flash of understanding
came to him as he saw the square,
stocky back of one of them. Ho wna the
secret service man and llkewlso the man
who had tried to take tho blue buckle
awny from Mrs. Talcott. .
This put nnother and ery disturbing
idea. Into Rutherford's head. Certainly
tho man could have no possible uso Sor
the bucklo: was that. then, what he had
really been after or had tho girl used
the buckle as a blind? Had tho man
really -wanted the diamond necklace, con
cealed upon her person.
The moro Rutherford puzzled over the
situation, tho more at tea ho wn. Cus
toms ofllccrs didn't usually proceed that
way; nnd he was ready to stake his soul
upon his fnlth in tho girl. He went Into
his room, scowling and shaking his head,
and busied himself trying to dlscovor
whether or not his unwelcome visitors
had been his way again.
Presently he heard the door Just across
tho corridor open softly, almost stealth
ily. His own door stood open by a tiny
crack and cautiously he stepped to it
nnd peered through. He saw a slender fig
ure In n gray cloak, her back turned to
him, ns she tried evidently, to turn the
kay In the lock. The key stuck, and In
turning It she dropped It to the floor. It
struck the metal trim with a sharp clang,
Bho did not stoop to pick It up; on tho
contrary, with n snlft und, lie thought,
frightened glance along the corridor In
both directions, she hurried off.
This was very strnnje conduct to the
bllent onlooker then n swift second
thought seemed to enlighten him. The girl
had been In her room all tho time the two
spies were trying the door. She had been
too frightened to call for aid, especially
with the lively memory of the attnek
upon her In the corridor; mid now at tho
first opportunity he wtjs hurrying to her
husband for piotoution. Rutherford si
lently cursed the man who, though ill,
could subject his young wife to such In
dignities. Eager to aid the girl, he rushed out
Into thehall, picked up the key she had
dropped' and started nfter her. At the
turn he saw her figure a little way ahead.
"Mrb. Talcott 1" hu called.
But she either did not hear or would
not heed. He chose to believe the first
and quickened his puce Into n run.
"Mn. Talcott, one moment"
The girl, however, did not pause, al
though she could not have helped hearing
him. She seemed to be actually running
nway from him.
HU pride made him pause; then tho
thought of her peril and loneliness urged
him to forget himself In her. Obviously
she wbb Jf rightened. It was enough to
scare any woman to have her door tam
pered with. In her haste she' was confus
ing him with one of the fellows who had
been annoying her.
He sped forward again, but she had
Rained n good start and a corner sud
denly shut her from view. When he
reached the turn she was nowhere to
be seen.
He stopped and Blared along the pass
age The unreveallng doors of the rooms
on either side faced each other and him
as blankly as if they had no secrets In
the world, and had never heard of a
slender woman in a gray cloak and blue
veil who had lately rushed by them, or
entered one.
Ruthelford was baffled, and his wits did
not tend to clear as he suddenly realized
that Mr. Talcot's room was not at hand
at all. but aft. Where, then, could the
young woman have been going? Into
what room did she disappear? The Tal
cotts had no acquaintances on board that
one knew about. ...
Rutherford thrust the key savagely into
his pocket and turned the other way.
After all, what concern was It of his
where tho girl was going? Why should he
care? But his self-revealing heart told
htm that, willy-nilly, he did care He
promised himself that, sooner or later,
she must come out on deck, and then
he would obtain permission to speak to
her aloneto tell her what he knew and
perhaps clear up some of the things that
wero vexing him.
As he strode along he suddenly remem
bered that he had an appointment with
Helderman Half-reluctantly he turned In
the, direction of the royal suite, in no
mood for the financier" witticism, or
Elbe. Just as he reached the private
corridor leading to the ulte. he found
himself attacked by a human oaUpult.
A man fled by him with such, haste that
he was djshed back .gainst the wall
The door iron whW h4
emerged slammed, cutting In two the
;""5y. DI "orman oaths which had nix
tended tha Morii
Craig pulled himself together, fairly
sizzling wllh Indignation, nnd laid hold of
tho man who hnd bumped Into him so
unceremoniously. It was tho stock
student, tho sccrel-servlco man, Tho man
recognized him no less quickly, and with
one of his quick dodges was off ngaln
uuwn mo pasaage. Rutherford's nnger
of n moment beforo was ns nothing to
the rage that now possessed him With
a quick leap ho seized tho thick shoulder
and swung the man nround.
"Not so fast, my Tine fellow!" ex
claimed Craig. "You might nt least stop
long enough to npolonl7e. Besides, I have
been looking for you for some time."
Tho man shifted uneasily, but wan
silent.
"Talk, you sneak!" snld Craig, shaking
him. "Government ofllcer or not I don't
bellove you hnvo any license to search
rooms or nttnek young women In tho
halls'" And Crnlg punctuated his re
marks by a slinking- such nn n terrier
would give a rat.
Curiously enough, the man made no at
tempt to fight; but nt tho words "Govern
ment ofllcer" he glanced furtively at his
assailant.
"Let up!" ho growled,
"Not till you tell me what I want to
know. What do you mean by snenklng
Into my room, trying to get Into Mrs. Tnl
cott's, and nosing around In Helderman's?
He served you Just about right. And If
I had caught you down my way you'd
have come out Just about the way ho
sent you I"
The fellow flashed nnother quick glance
at Rutherford.
"You rich gus think you ought to Ije
left alone," ho muttered, "but we've got
to stick to our Job. 'Taint no uso huntln
for diamonds In the steerage, so I Just
took a look In tho royal suite "
in splto of himself Rutherford chuckled
at the Idea of Helderman the hlntnnt,
self-npprcclatlvo Helderman, who believed
thnt his money could do anything being
subjected to surveillance like the others
"It seems like a mighty bad wny to ro
sbout It," observed Craig, momentarily
relaxing his grasp. "I suppose you vnnt
to prove us all. Do you suspect any one
In particular?"
His concern for Mrs Talcott had taken
the place of his nnger. Tho detectives
were searching ovcry one, nnd the fact
thnt they had tried to enter her room
might not mean anything In particular
"Don't I. though!" tho man exclaimed
with n wink; then profiting by the other's
absorption, ho turned quickly and made
off down the hall.
The young man mndo no attempt to fol
low him. Ho was again busy with his
own thoughts. Whnt did the man mean
by his wink? Did he nctunlly suspect
Helderman of smuggling? The Idea had
a certain fascination for him. Or did the
wink mean that tho man hnd fixed his
suspicions where tho passengers had
placed theirs? Surely the espionage In the
library, the attack In the corridor, the
nttempt nt the door opposite his own,
could have but one meaning
A thought moie disquieting thnn nil the
uncomfortnble ones which had thus far
assailed him now presented Itself nnd
would not down. Helderman wns Inter
ested In Mrs. Talcott. He had mndo 10
secret of It. If ho were seeking to get
her Into his power what a raro opportu
nity circumstances were offering the wily
financier. He had been watching tho net
closing In about the girl. Perhaps he hnd
summoned tho secret scrvlco man to his
rooms In order to brlbo hlhj to let tho gl-l
go free, and In this way obtain a hold
upon her gratitude, ft was ultogelher
likely thnt he had offered the man 11 bribe.
Craig recnlled the case Willi which he
had tempted the wireless operator.
Tho stormy ejectment might Just ns well
mean that tho man had refused to serve
two masters and paid tho prlco for his
fldelltyby getting kicked out. That, too,
would explain the German oaths. This
was a much moio reasonable theory than
that of Intrusion Indeed, Intrusion In tho
royal suite, whore several scrvnnts were
constantly In attendance, would have been
next to Impossible. Tho secret service
man must have been asked to tho royal
apartment
At this point Craig's Imagination ran
wild. He saw tho nstute financier allow
ing the elderly husband to becomo em
broiled with the Government He pictured
him, with his remarkable mental re
sources and his smooth wnys, slowly mak
ing himself Indlspensnble to the young
woman. He would relieve hor of every
nnxlcty. He would even assist her hus
band, while with his brilliant Intellect and
Knowledge of the world ho slowly weak
ened her faith In him. She would be made
carefully to see her husband's duplicity
and Helderman's unbounded generosity,
until, until
Full of the madness his own imagina
tion had conjured up Craig turned sharply
back toward the roynl suite He must
face this man. He must know what lay
back of Helderman's interest in tha wom
an he himself loved with a Helf-sncrlflclal
passion He had dedicated the best of his
manhood to her service without hope of
reward. He suspected that Helderman's
Interest would not be so unselfish.
He leached tho private hall ngaln. The
door stood slightly open, giving a glimpse
of tho reception room, luxuriously fur
nished. A long mirror was set in the pan
eling directly opposite tho door. Ituther
ford saw reflected therein the entire room.
Helderman, straight, cold, an expression
of contempt on his fuce, was In the cen
tre. He stood looking down upon a woman
whose arms wero clasped about his neck,
whose attitude expressed love nnd en
treaty. The woman wore a gray cgat nnd a
blue veil. Hers was the same slender
form that had flitted ahead of Craig from
the door of the stateroom opposite his
own. t
CHAPTER VI
THE HOUSE IN TENTH STREET
Home again' The great ship had passed
Sandy Hook and the outer and the Inner
bay. Up the Hudson River she had
slowly nosed her way, convoyed by tugs,
and dodged by ferries and smaller craft,
until the welcoming flag of the docking
pier had signaled the Journey done. Then
came tho long, tedious wait while the
vessel was warped carefully Into her slip
minutes which seemed hours to those
whose friends awaited them at the land
ing. At last, however, came the welcome
clang, of the lower gangway, and the pas
sengers began to stream Impatiently
down.
Rutherford was detained but a moment
by the customs officers. They seemed to
take lilm pretty much at his word, and ha
hurried beyond tho retaining ropes with a
determined get of his eyas ahead.
He had carcely closed his eyes, all the
inlght before, with the memory of that
last tableau In the royal stateroom er
rising In front of, him. He felt that he
could never trust womankind again, and
that ha never wanted to set eye. again
upon any of his shipboard acquaintances.
The very name of tha ship was anathema
to him.
He had trusted he had even loved. In
spite of his trust and he had been thor
oughly disillusioned The sight of the
familiar bustling strts of New York
made him feel lonely Indeed He must
gt to nork and forget all this, like an
evil dream lie remembered, with a breath
of relief, that he had a controlling Inter
est In a downtown bank He would go
to work there, If it were In the humblest
place
ICUNTINI.KD TOSIUJIB.OW)
JIF CAME AND SAW
AND IS DISAPPOINTED
Boy Stowaway From Jnmnicn
Finds United States No
"Fairyland."
During most of tho 16 y'enrs of his life,
"Jimmy" WllllnmB has been playing be
nenlli the tropical suns on tho sands of
his native land, the Island of Jnmalcn.
Between dips In tho deep blue waters of
tho ocean, ho dreamed wonderful dreams
of tho "fairyland" called tho United
Slates.
Clad In nondescript garments, "Jim"
hugged n sizzling radiator In Captain
Tollefsen's quarters tlilct morning. His
rolling eyes were filled with tenrs All his
hopes liae been shattered. His wonder
ful dfcams hnvf alt been dispelled. In
their place reigns dense gloom 'Iho big
fly In Jim's ointment Is tho weather.
"Ah'se nevnh knew suh, that thar war
such cold places In tho wurld befo'," he
said The snow on the ground flabber
gasted him. Inspector Muslin, of tho Im
migration service, explained to him that
It f1I from tho skies. But Jim wns skep
tical nnd he naively nsked Busha It ho
wai n pallor.
When "Jim" stowed away he wore lesi
than Eve did In the Garden of Eden. In
the hold of the steamer he mode himself
a nest of straw beneath bunches of
banunas. A few crusts of bread and some
of tho fruit was all he hnd to eat dur
ing tho five days required to m&ka tho
run to this port from Jnmnicn.
He wns discovered when tho longshore
men removed the bananas. "Ho was too
dark for September Morn," said tho man
who discovered him, "so 1 called him De
cember Morn Tho sun rises later then."
A hurry solicitation among tho crew for
clothes for Jim soon gave him enough
covering to bring him out of tho hold.
When he reached Captain Tollefsen's
quarters he wore nn old bnttered derby
hat, n pair of trousers that were too loose
under the armpits and a pair of shoes
THE TEMPTING OF TAVERNAKE
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENIIEIM
BOOK II.
CHAPTER V-(Contlnucd)
"She was singing at a miserable east
end music-hall so that her father might
find some soit of employment," Tnvcr
nako said. "Tho people only forboro to
hiss her father's turn ror her sake. Sho
goes nbout tho country with him. Heaven
knows what they cam. but It must be
little onoughl Beatrice is shabby and
thin nnd pale. She Is devoting the best
ears of her life to what sho Imagines to
bo her duty." ,,
"And how does this nffect me? Eliza
beth asked, coldly.
"Only In this wny," Tavcrnaka an
swered. "You asked mo how It was that
I could find you as beautiful as over and
adore you no longor. Ttio reason is oe
causo I know you to be wretchedly
selfish I believed In you before. Every
thing thnt ou did seemed right. Thttt
was because I was n fool, because you
had filled my brnln with Impossible
fancies, because I saw you nnd every
thing that you did through a. distorted
mirror."
"Have you come here to be rude? sho
asked him.
"Not In the least," ho replied. "I came
hero to see whether I was. cured."
Sho began to laugh, very softly at first,
but soon sho threw herself back among
tho cushions and laid her hand caressing
ly upon his shoulder.
"Oh, you are Just the Bamo!" she cried.
"Just the same denr, truthful bundle of
honesty and awkwardness nnd ignorance.
So you are going to bo victim of Bea
trice's bow and spear, after nil."
I have naked vour sister to marry me,"
Tavornnck admitted "She will not."
"She was very wise," Elizabeth de
claied. wiping the tears from her eyes.
"As an experience you are delightful. As
a husband you would be terribly Impos
sible. Are you going to stay and take
me out to dinner this evening? I'm sure
jou have n dress suit now."
Tavernake shook IiIb head.
"I nm sorry." ho said. "I have already
an engagement."
She looked at lilm curiously. Was It
really true that ho had become Indiffer
ent? She was not used to men who
escaped.
"Tell me." she added, abruptly, "why
did you come? I don't understand. You
aro here, and you pass your time being
rudo to me. I ask you to tako me to
dinner and you refuse Do you know that
scarcely a man In laonaon wouia noi
havo Jumped nt such a chance?"
"Very likely," Tavernake answered. "I
have no experience In such matters. I
only know that I am going to do some
thing else.
"Something you wnnt to do very much?'
she whispered.
"I am going down to a Httlo music-hall
In Whltechapcl," Tavernake said, "nnd
I am going to meet your sister und I am
going to put her In n cab and tako her
to havo soma supper, nnd I am gong to
worrj her until she promises to be my
"lfc" . ,
"You aro certainly a devoted ndmlrer of
the family." she laughed. "Perhaps you
wero In love with her nil the time."
"PcrhapB I was." he admitted.
Sho shook her head,
"I don't believe it," she said. "I think
ou were quite fond of me once. You
have such absurdly old-fasloned Ideas
or I think that you would bo fond of mo
now."
Tavernake rose to his feet.
"I am Eolng."-he declared, "Tills will
be goodby. Tomorrow I am going to
British Columbia."
The laughter faded for a moment from
his face. She was suddenly serious.
"Don't go." she begged. "Listen. I
know I am not good like Beatrice, but I
t&o like you I always did, I suppose it is
mat wonaenm uuii'- --
v... ... n riir-Arent tvne from the men
one meets I am rather a reckless per
son It Is such a comfort sometimes 10
meet any one like you. You seem such
an anchorage. Stay and ta k to me for
a little time. Take me out tonight. You
asked me to go with you once, you know,
and I would not. Tonight It is I who ask
"This la goodby!" he said, firmly. "I
suppose, nfter all, you were not unkind
to me In those days, but you taught ma
a very bitter lesson, I came to you
today In fear and trembling. 1 was
..ih -rhana that the worst was not
over. that there was more yet to come.
NOW tjKnow in ' --
She stamped her foot.
"You shall not go away like that, she
declared.
"Do'yuthlnk I do not understand?"
he continued. "H 1 only because I am
able to go. because the toueh of your
fingers, that look. In your eyes, do not
drive me half mad now. that you want
me to stay. You. would like to try your
powers onco more. I think not. I am
satisfied that I am cured Indeed, but per
haps It I. safer to risk nothing."
She pointed to the door.
"Very well, then," she ordered, "you
can co."
He bowed, and already Ills fingers were
on tha handle. Suddenly she called to
him.
"Leonard! Leonard I"
He turned round. She was coining to
ward him with her arm Qutatretofafd, her
eye. worcxfull of tear, there were nobs
in her voice.
"I a lonely,". h begged "I have
tpousbt Qt ou 0 Mimn Duo t go aw-iy i
t v '
A y. a 1 '
"JIMMY" WILLIAMS
In shncklos after ho nrrived from
Jnmnicn ns n stowaway on tho
steamer Sosua.
that hnd lost their mates months ngo.
Into cither one of Ihem ho could huve
put both feet. StrlngB from tho banana
stalks wero used for lnccs. Tho peg tops
of tho trousers obvlnted the necessity for
socks. An old, oll-soakrd sweater that
has not alwnvs been ns big as It looked
on "Jim" came noxt. The cont that
topped off nil was almost beyond descrip
tion. It reached to his knees, was rolled
up at the leovcs nnd could havo been
doubled over Ids chest nnd buttoned in
back. It hnd ns many colors as the
famous cont that Joseph wore. In this
uniform "Jimmy" Williams Is going bnck
home, never moro to roam.
unkindly. Stay with mo for thli evening,
at any rate You can seo Bcatrlco at any
time. It Is t who need you most now."
Ho looked around nt the splendid apart
ment: ho looked nt tho womnn whoso
flngeis, Bllttcrlng with Jewels, rested
upon his shouldeis Then he thought of
Beatrice In her shnbby black gown nnd
wan little face, nnd very gently he re
moved her hands.
"No," he said, "I do not think thnt you
need me nny moro than I need you. This
Is a caprice of yours. You know It and
I know It. It's worth whllo to play with
one another?"
Her hands fell to her sides. Sho turned
half nwny. hut sho said nothing Taver
nake, with a sudden impulse which had
In It nothing of passion very little, In
deed, of nlTectlon-llftcd her fingers to
hla lips nnd passed out of the room. Ho
descended the Btnlrs, filled with a wonder
ful senso of elation, a buoyancy of spirit
which ho could not understand. As ho
walked blithely to his hotel, however, ho
began to realize how much ho had
di ended thlB Interview. Ho was a frco
man, after all
For over un hour Tavernake endured
tho smells nnd the bad ntmospheio of thnt
mlserahlo Httlo music-hall, watching
eagerly each tlmo tho numbers vvcro
changed. Then at last, toward tho end
of tho program, tho manager appeared In
front.
"Ladles nnd gentlemen," ho announced,
"I regret very much to Inform you that
owing to the Indisposition of the young
Indy, Miss Beatrice Franklin nnd her
fnthor are unable to appear tonight. I
have pleasure In announcing an extra
turn, namely the Sisters Do Vero In their
wonderful burlesquo act."
There was ,1 murnjur of disapprobation
mingled with pome cheering. Tavcrnnko
left his place nnd walked aiound to the
back of tho hall. Presently tho manager
camo out to him.
"I am sorry to trouble you, sir," Tavor
nako said, "h-,. I heard your announce
ment Just now fiom tho front. Can you
give me tho address of Professor l-Vank-lln?
I am n friend, and I should like
to go nnd see them."
The manager pointed to the stage
doorkeeDCr. "This man will give It to you," he an
nounced, shortly. "It's quite close. I
shall look In myself nfter the show to
know how the young lady Is."
Tavernake procured the address and set
out In the taxlcab which ho had kept
waiting. Tho driver listened to the direc
tion doubtfully.
"It's a poor sort of neighborhood, sir,"
ho remarked.
"We've got to go there," Tavernake told
him.
They reached It In a few minutes, n
miserable street Indeed. Tavernake
knocked at the door of tho house to
which he was directed, with sinking
heart. A mnn, collarless nnd half dressed,
It tG&'r n
J i ST- "
Tllfa' -S
$m j m
m' W- ? ' L 1 &
I IV iSa !! I I SI a IJ wfr in ffw H 1 I I B I 1
OjHlIwI IIt1JJaJuLK0111w
TO
r a y f qrniapacific COAST
IJUERKATIO,!!!! ESACSETER N0
M.ruineruT &XvWffi&Mfc'jMMi MMyWwM. Every Ea.ternor.hould
MAGNIFICENT NmWI' WwWWi ea tha rno.t b.autlful
ELECTRIC LIGHTED fSmmkMMi CMM-. ' ' wovlna cloture.
STEEL TRAINS 5CK-,TXMi', H$A !""" th t'ln "-
MWwLS&Tf in r ,wn,i Baltimore and Ohio
with every modern Idea S?WWMMmmk. QUFjMEXICO MJ Railroad, and key
in Comtorl.blo Coach... Vl WwSmm -tfrm..!? ,xlY,n? h,U2f ?'
Pullman Equipment V Ni JS . K tMVM"d
and Dining C.rS.rvloe Wyffl$?wfflWwfm. $) 1
Go one way and "psSSa tvmTikAit,
Seeoth Fair. Vvr astltntll iof9rmaUn WnMnd tU.V.tu7A2i. tvifliV
rostra, tide trip, Illustrated IUrura, milr, XWS&S&rSMW,, '"4iB19Ur
Lot US prpr your pbona w call Ililto. & Ohio Ticket Oaicfi U m 3RBSHE
Itinerary St J5?"' ftetei. or fcUtloi ui sad 1rr,SS' Mm&W 'yBBBBk
r.u M.n t im, im uKit.NAUD asub? 1"8Sm' WSmmMmK
Ot tm ni M Piairiet rMtr .Isn't. ItWadalela, HMP?'HIMi
In carpet slippers, opened tho door after
n fow moments' waiting.
"Well, whnt In It?" ho asked, gruffly.
"Is Professor Kranklltf here?" Tnver
iiAko. Inquired.
The man seemed ns though he were
nbout to slam tho door, but thought bet
ter ot It.
"If you're n friend of the professor's,
ns ho calls himself," ho snld, 'and you've
any money to shell out, why, you're woi-
omc but If .you're only asking out of
urloslty, let mo tell vou thnt he used
o lodgo hero but rio'a gone, nnd If I'd
mid my wny he'd have gone n week ngo,
lilm nnd his daughter, too."
"I don't understand," Tavernake pro
tested. "I thought tho young lady wns
111,"
"She may be III or she may not," the
man replied, sulkily, "All I know Is that
they couldn't pay their rent, couldn't pay
their food bill, couldn't pay for the drinks
tho old man woalwiiys sending out for.
So tonight I spoko up nnd thoy'vo gone."
"At lenst you know where to!" Taver
nnko exclaimed
' I nin't 110 sort ot an Idea," the man
declnicd "Tnke my word for It straight,
guvnor, I know no more nbout where they
went to thnn tho man In the moon, ox
ccpt thnt I'm well shut of them, nnd
there's a mat.r of eighteen nnd slxpense,
if you caro to pay It."
No sickening suds-smell,
No temper-trying steam
through the house;
because no hot fire is needec)
when
Mf ovjciij, 2!ylk
however big the wash,
however soiled the clothes,
they come out sweetly clean.
Not rough not crude.
FeSsSoap Powder.
Refined, sweet, and does the work.
Easter Never Before Inspired
Such Fascinating
Neckwear
There s so much, and it's so pretty, so "different' and
so reasonable in price that you'll find plenty of oppor
tunity to give full rein to your fancy.
Vestees the "taking" pieces of the season. High neck or
surplice collars in many shapes, SOc to $9.00.
Guimpes sleeves o.r sleeveless charmingly featured with
hand-embroidery, as are all the season's ncckfixings. 50c
to $15.00.
And Fichus Colonial in their effective simplicity, $2 to $18.
Collars the bewitching new mushroom shape in voile, and
a score or so of equally becoming shapes; plaited lace collars.
Collar prices range from 25c to $6.50, $7.00 and up to $15.00.
Shoulder Bouquets (home-garden effects), single Roses and
Groups 25c to $1.00.
J-B-SHEPPARD srSONS
1008 CHESTNUT STREET
"I'll give yod a sovereign," Tavemnft
promised, "If you will tell me where lhy
are now."
"What'i the good of making shir con
dltlon-i like thnt!" the man ghimbltd,
"If 1 knew where tl.ey were, I'd tjarrl thi
quid soon erioUgh, btlt I don't, hhd that',
tho long nnd the short of lti And it yod
nln't going to pay th eighteen and l,
well, I've ..nawcred nil the questions I
feel Inclined to."
"I'll mnke it two pounds," Tavernake
promised. "I'm going to sail for America
tomorrow morning cftrly, rthd I must see
them first."
Tho man leaned forward
"Look here," he said. 'If I knew where
they wns, a quid would bo eulle good
enough for me, but I don't, and that',
straight. If you wnnt to look for them,
I should try ono of the doss houses. As
likely there ns anywhere."
He slnmmcd the door nnd Tavernake
turned nwny. A sudden despair had
seized him. Ho looked up and down the
street, ho looked nwny beyond and
thought of tho miles nnd miles of streets
the myrlnds of chimneys, tho huge
branches of the great city stretching far
nnd wldo. At 8 o'clock the next morning,
hu must leave for Southampton Was
It too lnle, after all, that he had dla
covered the truth?
(CONTINUED TOMORROW.)
washing
ii
.li