THE TANGLED WEB By Ethel Walla-Masiford Grant Axbo of "Dopa." "WtittwJk." Etc Copytie, 1906, by Beni. B. Hwaptoo CHAPTER I. EVELYN ORANGE Is one of tho show places of Long Island. It occupies a hill crest commanding the great Hempstead plains, made beautiful by its fine graduations of distance and color. To the left lies the wooded rolling country of Wheatley Hills, and hut a few motor miles away the blue waters of 1 the Sound Indent the Island's shore. The house a vast edifice of pale rod brick with whlto trim possesses terraces bordered by marble balus trades, descending In steep succes sion; each a giant step of flowers, divided down the middle by a marble staircase alternating with pebbled pathways. The right wing of' the mansion Is devoted to the luxurious housing of its guests. The left wing contains the servants' quarters and the necessary array of kitchens. De tached buildings for squash and bowls offer exercise and pleasure for dark and sullen days. In the dis tance the great bulk of the stables lies shrouded in huge trees, whence a faint yapping from the crowded kennels is almost always audible. It was Wendham's first visit to the Grange, and, as he drove up the long, leaf littered road In the gather ing dusk, . he was unprepared for the Imposing structure that met hia sight. "Really," he said to Mrs. Lawdon, who had arrived on the same train, and sat beside him en veloped In chinchilla and grey veils, "'a title should go with it. Doesn't seem the proper thing for Just a plain Mister, does it?" "Do you think anything is too fine for the American gentleman?" she answered. Wendham was glad that the grow ing dusk hid his smile. "Really, I wasn't quite serious about it," he answered, "and I've been away so long, you see, that I've grown con tinental.' She nodded. "Charlie told me you'4 been in Europe how long four years, wasn't it?" "Four years," he echoed thought fully, "and what changes!" "And Charlie married! you got our cards, didn't you? It seems to me they were sent to Vienna or somewhere like that." "Yes, I received them about six months ago." "Then there's the Boskwith di vorce that must have surprised you and Nellie Gaynor's a widow now, you know." She paused abruptly, suddenly recalling the gossip that linked Boyd Wendham's hasty departure with the marriage of the lovely Nellie. "Doesn't look heartbroken," she commented to herself, as she turned to examine his appearance under cover of admiring the passing land scape. She saw a strong-featured, keen-eyed man of powerful build, whose hair, though prematurely grey, did not age his appearance, chiefly because of the boyish sparkle of his unusually handsome eyes, and the affectionate humor of his flexi ble mouth "Decidedly handsome," thought Mrs. Lawdon, with a dab at the gilt fringes of her hair. "I won der why she didn't take him they say old Gaynor was a pill." Aloud she said, "Mrs. Gaynor's to be one of this house party. Did you see her abroad? She was over there more than a year after Mr. Gaynor died." "No, I didn't happen to see her In Europe. My specialties I'm a phy sician, you know kept me in Vien na, but I'm looking forward to re newing an old friendship. I've had a glimpse of her, of course, since I've been back, but only for a moment' He Bpoke so naturally that Mrs. Lawdon was disappointed. He glanced at his companion, wondering how that astute cotillion butterfly, Charlie Lawdon, had ever been so "let in." The whole surface of their world had been rippled by the plunge of this particular little clod Into Its distilled and filtered depths. There was no denying Mrs. Lawdon's gaudy and perfumed plebelanism. "Do you know Mrs. Evelyn well?" she asked abruptly. "I've only met her once or twice, but they're old friends of yours, aren't they?" "They are two of the best I have," he answered. "Cass and I were col lego mates and Patty, oh well, I remember her with long red silk legs and short brown silk braids,' he laughed remlniscently. "She was a tunny child, always tired: ahe was born tired but, hero we are; let me help you." The carriage drew up before the main entrance, whose white columns seemed vast in the soft electric Il lumination from the dull glass globes guarding the doorway. The footman rang the boll and returned for Wendham's simple suitcase and Mrs. Lawdon's elaborate traveling impedimenta. The rest of her col lection was in charge of her maid, due later In the servant's trap. A large hat trunk, however, she bad 1 as sisted should accompany her; In deed, the valued millinery Bust not be out of her sight, and with diffi culty It had been Installed, to the detriment of the speckless knees of the footman, who now deposited It resentfully upon the veranda. The door swung open, revealing the subdued, rich tones of the in terior, where the glow of antique velvets, heavy with tarnished em broideries, met the eye. Grape wound torsion columns of the Span ish renaissance formed the door ways, while a dreamy-eyed madon na in the brocade and Jeweled robes of the sixteenth century smiled from a canvas that filled the wall space by the stairs; two macaws, of ostenta tious plumage, swung In gilded rings, adding a final touch of old world ec centricity. The new arrivals entered and a moment later Mrs. Evelyn, In a floating teagown, was extending languid greetings. Evelyn, however, made up In heartiness for his wife's tepid cordiality. "Nobody minded Patty, anyway; It was Just her way." Mrs. Lawdon, not being familiar with her hostess's peculiarities, at once took umbrage. Only the Joy of be ing within the Evelyns' exclusive portals prevented her from Immedi ate rudeness. She contented her self with a mental note to "get even," and noisily devoted herself to Mr. Evelyn and Alice Rawlins, who entered In her cross-country rid ing trousers, high boots and gray frock coat, as alert and vigorous as a young Amazon. "Hello, Kate, have some tea, have a highball? Pat, there, will never think to ask you. Better warm up a bit before we go to 'red up' as the countries say. Oh, Boyd, It's bully to meet you again. Of course Cass looked out for you I see it in your eye. But it takes the new woman to look out for herself. What, ho! "WHAT A PEACH," MISS RAW LINS EXCLAIMED. James! What's yours, Kate tea? James, take Mrs. Lawdon's furs, and send them up to the blue suite. It is the blue suite, isn't it, Patty? And send Mrs. Lawdon's maid and things there when they come. And Nellie see who's here Boyd Wend ham! Arise and make salaamlngs." A tall, slender, white-clad wo man rose from behind the elaborate tea-table where she had been presid ing, and advanced cordially. "Oh, Boyd!" she exclaimed, "It is good to see you." Her lovely, high-bred face lost its cameo whiteness in a soft flush of pleasure, while her dark, heavily-ringed eyes lighted as from within. Wendham took her extend ed hand, and the old emotion that the years had not lessened, flooded his heart once more. "Mrs. Gay nor," he stammered, "this is indeed a pleasure." She laughed reproving ly. "Mrs. Gaynor, Is it, Dr. Wend ham? Dear me, have we had a quarrel? I was unaware of it," Before he could answer, Mrs. Eve lyn had recalled her duties as hoB tcss. "Oh, you haven't met Mrs. Gay nor have you, Mrs. Lawdon? Dear me, how remiss of me," she drawled. "Meet each other, do." Mrs. Lawdon's heart warmed. She forgave her hostess's apparent aloof ness for the sake of this most desir able Introduction. But before she was able to do more than bow cor dially and take breath for an appro priate speech, the prize was re moved by the doctor's prompt seiz ure of the lady's attention. Once more Mrs. Lawdon devoted herself to Alice and Cass Evelyn. Wendham and Mrs. Gaynor had become absorbed in talk. Every moment her charm took stronger hold upon him, but he could not but note her nervous, strained condition, the tell-tale pallor, and the bruised, sleepless setting of her over-brilliant eyes. "I wish I'd never studied medicine, when I see you, Nellie; It ranks me worry about you. What in tho Tr!i have you been doing?" "Oh, notLing much I suppose you know I've goso In for racing a good deal." He looked at her In surprise. "Oh," she added hastily, "I had to make my living, and I was left part owner of a racing stable when my husband died. Pre been very successful, didn't you know? I'm very busy and my correspondence alone la enough to wear me out." "That reminds me," he. said abruptly, "I was entrusted with something for you. Let me give it to you now, before I forget it" Prom an inner pocket he drew forth a thin, foreign-stamped letter. "It came 'while I was with the Morti mers, and Calvin forgot to reman it. I was entrusted dth it as a sort of object lesson to forgetful husbands." CHAPTER II. Mrs. Gaynor received tbo letter and looked at the address. She paled; her eyes sought his face In a swift glance. , "No, not for me, after all." she said, laughing unreasonably. "And not a spot left on which to re-address! I must enclose It, I suppose. Forget It for a week, at least, be cause I haven't an envelope to fit. You know how it Is. I'm sure I don't know why I allow my friends to make such a nuisance or' a con venience of 'me." She thrust the letter securely into her belt. "Good nature la hard on Its pos sessor," he answered. "Your friend, by the way, has a name very fami liar to me, but I can't place It." Mrs. Gaynor's eyes narrowed. "You don't recall where you met her? Abroad, perhaps; I knew her there a sort of nomad. She's trav eling out West now. You see," she added nervously, "any Important mall, remittances and things, she had ordered sent to me, and I for ward as she advises but it's rather a burden." "Your description doesn't help me," he mused. "And, after all, I'm rather rude to inquire Into your friend's affairs." "Not at all nothing Is rude be tween old friends." She smiled upon him her old brilliant smile of conquest. He was suddenly elevat ed to the dizzy height of close com panionship. Her manner Included him In her chosen circle. The same of her strange correspondent van ished from his mind, and he was conscious only of the compelling magnetism of her presence. The tete-a-tete was of short dura tion, however; Evelyn, whiskey and soda in hand, Joined them. "Well, Wendham, so you're Just from the Mortimers. Are they over their excitement yet? Pat tells me they're almost given up entertain ing since the robbery. That's fool ish; nobody blames them, and if Mrs. Treadwell will tour the prov inces attired as the human grab bag, she can't expect her hosts to supply her with a body-guard. I told her that when she was here." "She didn't seem much put out, I noticed," said Alice from across the room. "She had on a new pearl rope that was first cousin to a cable." "Near-pearls," said Mrs. Evelyn, scornfully. Mrs. Lawdon entered the conver sation at high pitch. "That's what I think, Mrs. Evelyn. If a person has good things, for heaven's sake wear them!" She fingered her sap phire lorgnette chain till it flashed in the lamplight. "My husband is always after me to have replicas, but I do think that sort of thing is the very height of bad taste, don't you?" "You ought to see Kate out for bear," said Alice to Mrs. Gaynor. "If Sally Treadwell is the human grab-bag, Kate is the only original Christmas tree." "Alice!" said the hostess re provingly. But far from being of fended, Mrs. Lawdon was charmed. "Dear me, I haven't so very much. Charlie haB been awfully nice, and he knows I love pretty things, but really " "Well, all I ask," said Alice, ris ing to kick a rug Into place, "Is that you'll let me have them to play with, with my very own hands. I've never forgotten you as the Queen of Sheba at Mrs. Todd's costume dinner. No one talked of anything else for the week after That reminds me, Pat, the Todds telephoned over to know who was going to the races to-morrow and what your plans were said, something about letting you have their extra motor if yours was still out of order." "Oh, thanks," said Mrs. Evelyn. "Of course Nellie and Dr. Wendham will go and Mrs. Lawdon and Char He, if he comes. Madge will be over from the Lesbys with us " "Which means that I stay at home," interrupted Alice. "I would be smothered by the same gasoline. How I hate that little moth-eaten, fan - eared, washed - out, forked tongued gossip." "Very well," Mrs. Evelyn agreed lmperturbably. "With me, that makes six. Our little motor will take four and the rest can go In the Todds'. Alfred," she called to a passing servant, "ring up Mrs. Todd and tell her Mrs. Evelyn will be very glad to have the use of her motor to-morrow. That's all set tled," she sighed, as though the most weighty issue of international affairs had at last been decided. "What kind of a card have they got?" asked Alice, somewhat chagrined by the prompt acceptance of her resignation, and addressing' herself to Mrs. Gaynor. "Very fair." Nellie moved from Dr. Wendham's side toward the cen tral group. "Ventador, for the first race, Miller up, Bay Side and Quar terly ought to make a good finish. But if you want a ten-to-one shot play Trident in the fourth. I think awfully well of htm; he's been do ing great work." The very simplicity of her man ner and volos as ah spoke hurt Wendham the revolt In him of his Puritan ancestry at this manifesta tion of the emancipation of the mod ern woman. "Trident, that's Billy Lough's old skate. He sold him for a song. Whose tip are you playing?" Evelyn asked. "Sold for a song because Billy doesn't know a horse from a mow ing machine, and becaftae Stacy does. He's part mreir now, tor one thing, and any one knows that Btaey Isn't buying skates except for Ms Ice pond." Alice's voice had a ring of defense and Evelyn laughed sooeV humoredly. "Of course, If Stacy has given Nellie the tip, there's nothing mora to be said. Aren't you Jealous, Alloa, that Nellie knows as much of Stacy's affairs as you do?" Alice Rawlins burled her nose la her glass and grunted a most un ladylike disapproval. "I like a man to know his own business thorough ly, and Stacy does," she replied. "One for you," said Wendham to his host. "Who is this Stacy?" Inquired Mrs. Lawdon. "Stacy," answered Evelyn with a grin at Miss Rawlins, "Is Laugh ton's right hand horseman and Alice's right hand er groom at her bridle ouch! Alice, don't whack my fingers. He's a brick, anyhow." Mrs. Gaynor sat down wearily, passing her hand across her brow with a gesture of distress. "Dear me," she exclaimed, "how tired I am! I didn't believe I could be so tired. I really must take a vacation In bed soon." "Well," observed Mrs. Evelyn, "it's your own fault a dozen tlmee over. Fancy, Alice, she's so attached to that silly little maid jot hers " "That silly little maid, as you call her," interrupted Mrs. Gaynor, "had the devotion to stay with me through thick and thin when I couldn't pay her wages, and she was In wretched health besides." "Which is no excuse for your rubbing her head for her when she has neuralgia, and every time you do it exhausts you. Did you ever hear of anything so foolish? Hire a masseur for her if you want to. You tire yourself, and it's undignified." Nellie Bhrugged expressively and moved toward the staircase. Wend ham followed her "Just a word," he said gently. "Let down the strings of the violin if you would keep its tone." CHAPTER III. Mrs. Lawdon put down her book and smiled a flattered welcome as Mrs. Gaynor sank into a wicker veranda chair for Mrs. Lawdon, though pretty and blessed with her share of the world's goods compared with the shares of numerous others not so fortunate, fully realized that she was far from gracing that inner circle of society to which Nellie Gay-' nor's multiple charms added lustre. Here was a golden opportunity to secure a valuable acquaintance. "I am surprised you didn't go to the races, Mrs. Gaynor," she re marked, sure that this opening must lead to further conversation. The lady smiled. "Yes, 'Alice-slt-by-the-flre hardly seems my role, does it? To-day should have been Alice-sleep-by-the-flre. The truth is that for once in my life I was too tired." She leaned her rippled gold en head against the cushions and half closed her eyes. Deep weariness was stamped on her perfect features. Mrs. Lawdon took notice, wonder ing whether sympathy would be re sented, or if good form required her to assure the sufferer of her unalter ed loveliness. She decided upon the latter. "Tired! One would never believe it. You are positively radiant!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. Nellie Gaynor opened her eyes; a smile flickered upon her lips. "You are too kind," she murmured. "And you, don't you care for racing?" "Oh, yes, Indeed!" cried Mrs. Lawdon, hastening to resent the im putation that so fashionable a sport was not to her liking. "I love it, but I felt as if I'd caught cold laBt night you know that cold drive from the station bo that I feared to sit on the clubhouse lawn, and there's no use being inside. Charlie Is placing. a few bets for me. I'm playing Roseben." "Mr. Evelyn will execute my card." Mrs. Gaynor shifted slight ly. "You see I've made it quite a business. When my husband died his estate was heavily involved, so I took over the stable after I came back from Europe." "Yes, indeed!" cried Mrs. Law don, delighted with the Intimate tone of the conversation. "I heard so much of you before I met you, you know. You're quite a plunger. Charlie told me you took twenty thousand out of the Metropolitan handicap one year, and no one knew until afterwards that you had a heavy Interest" "Oh, not so much as that" Nellie laughed. "No one knew, because my two biggest bets were 'on the side.' " Mrs. Gaynor touched a string of pearls clasped by a scintillating ruby and diamond snap. "Part of that killing went into this. But, dear me, they would hardly Interest you. I'm going to aBk you to let me see your jewels some day. Your emeralds are simply astonishing, I hear." The little parvenu flushed with pleasure. "Would you care to, real lyT Then -why not now? Alice wants to see them. too. She's In the squash court. Com up to my sitting room and J'll send tor her." She rose fluttering. Mrs. Gaynor followed languidly. A touch upon the elec tric bell brought Mrs. Lawdon's maid, who was despatched In search of the energetic Miss Rawlins. "You know," twittered the hostess of a moment as the two ladles settled themselves In Mrs. Lawdon's sitting room, "It's really an awfnl responsi bility, all this stuff, and since the affair at the Mortimers, when Mrs. Treadwell'a peaiVi simply Tma&sed, I've been nervous." "It was odd," Mrs. Gayner agreed. "I'd been spendta the week end there, Jnst before. It hap pened. Their butler was drunk halt of the time, and there Isn't the slight est doubt In my mind that he tailed to lock up securely. The only rea son nothing else was taken was that the thieves were frigs, ten ad. The Mortimers have three Pomeranians, you know, and though no one heard them bark, the burglars may have known that they were about tho house, and made off with one good "MY DIAMONDS, MY EMERALDS. MY RUBY!" SHE SHRIEKED. thing rather than take further chances. They are frightfully yap py little beasts, you know the dogs, not the thieves," she added smiling. "That's what everyone said," agreed Mrs. Lawdon. "Why, there were a dozen robberies right In that section of Long Island people In motor cars and yachts and the night of the Vanderbilt cup race, some one got away with the D res ears' whole jewel case." A tap on the door announced Alice Rawlins, fresh and rosy from her recent exercise. "Hello, Kate. Howdy, Mrs. Gay nor. Going to show us the Kohinoor? Dear me, don't look peevish." She threw herself upon the corner of the lounge and swung her feet boyish ly: the charm of her youth atoning for boisterous speech and manner. "'Trot out the show case," she or dered gleefully. Mrs. Lawdon smiled with superior ity. "You'll be surprised and, it's all my own invention. I've made a jewel casket that no-burglar would ever think of." Taking a key from a trousse hanging in plain sight by the dressing table, she approached a small square hat trunk of solid make and unlocked it, revealing six be-feathered hats of intoxicating de signs. "Gee!" said Alice, rising to her feet, "she's robbed a hen roost and an ostrich farm and a greenhouse!" Mrs. Lawdon lifted out a delicious toque and, taking it by the crown, gave what might have been the lin ing a pull, revealing a velvet tray set within. "Well, that is clever, Kate,'v Alice exclaimed. "Are they all like that, whited sepulchers, ribbon and feath ers without, and within filled with jewels and pearls of great price?" Mrs. Gaynor applauded. "Certain ly that is the best idea I ever heard of. But you oughtn't to let anyone into the secret why one of the servants coming by your maid I do hope you are careful." As she spoke she took the box extended to ward her and gazed enraptured upon its glistening contents. "What a peach!" Miss Rawlins ex claimed, looking over her shoulders. "Now, doesn't that clasp look like a pair of dollar marks! My! what a pearl rope! That ruby has the Queen of Sheba beaten a mile." She dangled the jewel from its slender platinum chain, where it turned slowly, flashing in the after noon sunlight that poured in at the window. "Hold on; you give me acute ap pendicitis of the eyeball," said Miss Rawlins, shading her eyes with one hand as she pressed an electric but ton with the other. "That reminds me, I've had no afternoon tea. Have a highball with me, Kate? How about you, Mrs. Gaynor?" "Dear me!" exclaimed Mrs. Law don, pushing the Irrepressible Alice toward the door. "Give your orders through the crack you heard what Mrs. Gaynor said, and she's right; the servants shouldn't see these things." She hastily crammed a jewel box into the crown of a two foot Gainsborough as a knock sound ed loud upon the door. Miss Rawlins giggled. "Do you suppose Mrs. Evelyn employs Sher locks on her house force? Why, they're a lot of lately landed." She opened the door the mere width of a thread. "What, ho, without! A flagon of Scotch and soda, prithee. Bay, how about you, Kate?" "No," said Mrs. Lawdon emphati cally, casting a troubled glance at her guest Alloa banged the door. "You make me tired, Kate. Dont you re call that rhyme of Tennyson's or somebody's "'Between the1 Bark and the day light When the night la beginning to low er, Comes a pause in the day's occupa tion That U known as the cocktail hour.' " Mrs, Gaynor laae mm m reeef "What a child!" sjfto said. fWIM naughty child! Well; I mast M lag. It's late and I want to rest be fore I dress for dinner. Thank yea so much. Mrs. Lawdon. I did enjoy seeing your pretty things and your jewel case Is a dream." She waved a light farewell as sha departed In the direction of her own suite In the main building. At the end of the hall a servant stair case gave unobtrusive entrance to the "Annex." Aa she passed it the door swung open, admitting' her maid. Mrs. Gaynor started. "Ad el a! I was Jnrt going to ring for yon." "I told the second maid I'd help her with these rooms," she replied. "Of course you did." approved. Mrs. Gaynor. "That's quits right al ways make yourself useful In the houses where we visit bat yon look tired." "Yes. Madame," the girl answered, and followed i?tras meekly. (To be continued.) The Two Alternatives. "We get some sad cases," said the attendant at the lunatic asylum to the visitor .and opened the door to the first cell. Inside was a man sitting cm a stool and gazing vacantly' at the wait "Sad story." said the attendant; "he was In love with a girl, bat ahe married another man and ha lest his reason from grief." They stole out softly, closing the doo behind them, and proceeded the next Inmate. This cell was thickly padded, and the man within was stark, staring mad. "Who is this?" inquired the visi tor. "This," repeated the attendant "this is the other man." HAD HELP. "I don't see how he stopped both smoking and drinking. 1 couldn't do it" "You haven't met his wife, have you?" Awake All the Time. "That new preacher you have is a pretty wideawake young man, isn't he?" "Yep. Keeps right on preachln' when everybody else is asleep." Poor Fellow. Reporter You were not alwayi wealthy, I believe? Billionaire No, I have seen the time when I couldn't afford to buy a five thousand dollar automobile. LED TO BE DRIVEN. Goln' to marry widder Jones, be ye? Can't see what the inducement is. She drove her last huBhand to drink. Yep. 'lhat's Jest it Barnyard Talk. First Rooster "Bless me If the old hen Isn't eating tacks." Second Rooster "Yes, I believe she Is to lay a carpet." "Ought not we do something for the preservation of our forests?" "Oh, what's the use?" answered Senator Sorghum, Impatiently. "Trees cant vote." One on the Cat An Iowa editor recently printed In his paper that If the rain didn't stop before long, everything In the ground would be peeping eat As old subscriber, reading the prognos tication, went out In the back yard and damped another load of rock on the crave f the family cat Aa OM flranflfsttirr. Little Wrl I've cot a father and a aoTTH and a grandfather. Xlny Stranger And hew tU year frandfatber? latttt Glr? t float knew, tort we've bad htm a long ttaaa.