The Washington times. [volume], July 16, 1916, SUNDAY EVENING EDITION, Page 12, Image 12

About The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
,-,.V r ' -y ' -v$pp .'$wvw ;'$; iv,.; -;Nr 3:v"- :J'?:Zr.;U"At luw
&
12 t TEpE 'WASHINGTQN SnMEgfc SUNDAY; JULY 16.' 1916,
7,
t
.-tr"
1
. "
w
I.
Written by Hereward Carrington,
ised by Charles W- Goddard
Copyright, 1911, by the- Stat Conpany..
All Foreign Pllahta ' rttlirvad. ',
. ,
-
vajavsaaaiMpasasaaaasaaasssisiaaasassssassissssassaisssssssasisHaassssssasasasBia
mjt i i r - ' tt r --
Wfetetfes
0fMnt
MotionnctmeDmiBa
Bm JBW , saw M ',' T
. " T.-7. A
Ajr,amat
r
CHAPTER LV.
The Hatred Implacable.
v
'JVitNfix, I would apeak wttn
.
you I" s
The discordant volco rang
out through Uie clammy re-
ceases of the council room. Arthur Var
ney aroeo from hla kneea, where with
hla fellow membera of the Dlack (Jrder
he had been swinging In rhythmic
chanting, a part or the weird rltea ot
the Devil Worshipers.
The leader of ceremonlca had Juat
'opened a meeting of the evil clan, as the
braten gong rang out
"Yea, master," answered the clubman,
as he went slowly toward the black vel
vet curtains, which puffed In the cold
breeze ot the aubtcriuncun cnamoers.
There were three reaorinnt crashes of
the gong once more, and ho entered.
Into nla , vision there grew stronger
with the spreading red luminosity the
sight of the gnarled features of the su
preme ruler of the order.
The two exchanged the sign of their
'brotherhood, thumbs pointing upward,
from clenched hands, pressed against
either side of their cheeks. Tho dlaboll
.cal significance of this sent a shudder
through Varney. The piercing black
eyes of his superior did not miss tho
hesitant manner, and the despairing
look upon his human tool of death.
"Look In my eyes, Varney I" was the
curt command.
llw man raised his glance and tnen
dropped the lids, as though he feared
that some Inner weakness might be dis
covered by the gimlet sharpness of tho
master's stare.
"Varney, you have been brooding of
late. I know all you have done, all that
you have said, and even your Innermost
thoughts. My power Is so tremendoua
that 1 will know every weakness every
unfaithful thought which you havot"
Varney, desplto his effort at calmness,
started ever so slightly.
The High Master observed.
He raised a bony (1st, clenched until It
looked like the talon of some omnivor
ous bird of prey. Ho leaned forward
with an evil curse- on his tnln lips.
"Arthur Varney, woo betide you If
you play false to your oaths to the
Black Order and to me, your Master of
Soul and Eternity 1" ho cried.. "You are
letting your passion for this girl, Myra
Maynard, weaken your loyalty. If you
attempt to betray us I will . . "
His lips drew back over the fang-llko
teeth. Ills hand descended toward the
cowering man.
"Oh, master! I swear that I havo
obeyed your every command. But, mas
ter. I do lovo Myra Maynard. She does
not love me, but she could learn. My In
fluence with her even now la so strong
that I would forco her to turn over her
fortune to the order," ho began pltcous
ly. How often before had ho made this
weak plea in vain, to tho Indlssuadablo
monster Bitting In Judgment above him.
The horror of It all waa finally borne in
hie Iron nerves. Through' auch fright
ful catastropho had they been during
theae past few weeks that he was yield
ing to the strain. No longer did ho be
lieve tho oocult promises made by tho
master of a reward of ettrnal love and
exlstcnco with Myra Maynard In mys
terious paradtseB beyond the grave!
But the supreme ruler of tho Black
Order banged upon the richly carved
altar with a furious fist.
'"Varney, I have told you once too
often that this cannot bo. Myra May
nard Is possessed of a power, which. If
she ever learns to master it. It will undo
me, and -our order.. She, must be dts
' posed of. I command you to take out
alt tho members of the Black Order this
afternoon, to' scdur tho country, and
leave no opportunity for her to escape.
My will Is supreme hero, and at tho
nllghtest Blgn of your falter I will give
you the most horrible punishment which
the mind of man can conceive, and
which only my art can administer!"
At these awful words, the sinister
truth of whlch'-Varney -understood only
J too well, ho 'bowed low.
I obey, Oh, mighty master;" he mur
mured weakly. And with a hopeles drop
of his broad shoulders, he made a low
obolsan'co,' and backed, shuddering from
the secret room.
Once In the general' council chamber
ho gave directions to tho loader of tho
' ceremonies, who evidently understood
even more than he tho nature of tho
master's plans.
But It was part of the cunning ruler's
sehemo to forco no other than tho love
lorn Varney to lend In the cowardly nt
tack upon tho unsuspecting girl. He was
certain of his dominance with the man,
and confident that his supposed Inno
cchce of any connection with tho evil
order would cover tho most daring epi
sode' of t'io crlmo.
Varney and tho other members re
moved thcr black robes, soon to be
hurrying In a formation like a great
net to encircle the unsuspecting girl.
And all thls4lme Myra was as happy
as a child, in the glorious thrill or
such weather as would dispel nl brood
ing thoughts of unseen fear.
Little did she dream of the treach
ery of 'the man sho had promised to
marry.
CHAPTER LVI.
The Woodland Whistle.
MYRA stood In the window or
her bed room dropping corn
to tho wlndowslll. while her
pet pigeons fluttered and
crooned happllv over the treat.
One beautifully burnished bird, which
she had especially trained, flew to her
shoulder and daintily pecked a piece of
corn from the girl's rosebud lips.
"Lucky bird!" called a merry voice
from tho garden drive below at this
Junoturo.
"Oh, Is that you. Dr. Alden?" ox-
claimed tho girl, blushing prettily. "I
oia noi Know mai you nan me horses
ldv so aulckly.
III
be right down,
cd for the ride
for I havo been dressed for the
neany nair nn nour.
The physician was a handsome flguro,
as ho sat natrldo his spirited horse, with
the unconscious grace of n born eques
trian. Myra's eyes reflected a tittle un
conscious spark of admiration as she
stepped thiough the doorway accom-
Saniod by her mother. Mrs. Maynard
id not resist the snmo Impulse, ns the
doctor slid to the ground to help Myra
with her mount.
"Where nre you going, dear?" asked
her mother. "Do bo very careful, now,
won't you?"
"Yes, Indeed. Where shall we ride
today, Dr. Aldon?" naked Myra. holding
In her Impatient steed with a firm grip
of the small gauntlcted fingers.
"I rode yesterday through tho Pine
Woods." Alden replied. "I believe that
If wc o up thare we will enjoy It It's
ns wild an sdmo mountain trail In Ten
nessee "
"Splendid! All right, mother, I'll bo
as careful as nn old maid on a merry-go-round
pony! Good-by!"
And blowing a kins to Mrs. Maynard,
she led tho way down the driveway.
She hnil not been gone, with her es
cort, mnro than ten minutes when the
telephone boll rnng.
It was Arthur Varney, and when
Willie, the butler, Informed him that
Myra was not In ho Inquired for her
mother. They exchanged the usual
pleasantries and Varney ended up with
a polite question as to Myra's where
abouts. "Oh. she Is out horseback riding with
Dr. Alden. They wore going up through
the old .Pln Woods section." nnawar1
Mrs.' Maynard 'it la'sucbn beautiful'
day, and she w'ai ,n6t nDlV'to'rea'cJl yonjaho'saw aylpolhetiV little scene en'arte'd.
to asK you t ogo along; Arthur. :,v
Myra's motherwas, ery fond, of Var
ney, and she felt that sho should make
some excuse' for the"rlde'wlth a rival.
However, Varney laughed, albeit with a
sharp contraction ot the eyebrows.
"That's all right. I will try to see
her this evening; perhaps we can havo
a little hand 6f brldgo after dinner," ho
remarked agreeably,
"Splendid! ' said Mrs. Maynard.
"Come early and take dinner with ua.
Now you must promise."
Varney did yield., boforo ho rnng off,
but ho had sore misgivings. He hur
riedly telephoned the high master of
tho location of tho girl, and within a
few minutes two speedy automobiles
wcro racing up to head off tho unsus
pecting pair of equestrians.
The rldo was a welcome relief to tho
physician, who had been working un
usually hard In his psychic laboratory,
and over some scientific articles which
he had under preparation for n well
known magazine.
And so thoy cantered along, enjoying
the twittering of the birds, the thrill of
tho warm sun. and tho almost Intoxi
cating perfume of woodland and flowery
stretch of roadside
They did not observe that more than
onco a sinister faco peered out from be
hind a treo or snruo as mey passed.
But, finally, Alden became awaro that
his saddlo girth was becoming slightly
loosened. He called to Myra, drew up
his mount and vaulted to tho ground.
"Just a mlnuto, Myra," ho said. "I'll
fix this and bo with you right away."
The girl laughed back.
"No, I'll rldo on and you will have to
do somo fancy horsemanship to catch
up with me!"
Alden was dismayed.
"Don't rldo on!" lie called. "Walt for
me!"
His tone was almost Imperious, and
maiden-like. Myra resented tt, with a
pout.
She did ride on, and by the time
Alden had adjusted tho girth and
mounted his horse she was out of view
beyond a curve In tho heavily wooded
road.
But she was visible to more than ono
person unseen by her. Among thorn
was Arthur Varney, struggling agnlnst
his heart's own promptings to bring
tho fill I to destruction.
Alden galloped after Jior, but came
to a fork In the road. The thorough
fare was so heavily voidurod on either
bide of this point that tt was Impossible
TVlYRii
to go along ollhor section of the branch
moro than a hundred yards.
Ho stopped nnd listened; there was no
sound of hoof beatu.
Myra had coquettlshly stopped her
horse behind the first -sharp turn to
tease him.
Alden nut his flngeis to his lips and
whittled with a shrill bird note.
He hearkened once moro and now
camo tho answer.
He hod taught Myra tho trick, al
though the girl did not master It well.
"There flhojs." ho laughed, with le
licf, and whistled again.
Wut this time tho whistle camo from
two directions at once. He paused
and then a vaguo alarm nmo'.o his
breast. What could bo tho mean
ing of this, he poundercd.
Again he made the signal, and
primntly come two answering notes,
ono from the right turn or tho road
nnd the other from the opposite side.
The heavy undergrowth of tho winding
toad ways baffled any attempt to pear
through them.
"This Is se.rjous,," he muttei,od4 as
ho listened again.
Still there was no sound of horde's
hoofs upon tho ground, nnd nftcr ft
titoment'a hesitation he pawd madly n
t.vtlic left.
And ns It happened Myra had taken
the right turn.
Alden rode for fifteen minutes as
hard as IiIb panting horso would cojrry
I didn't know she could ride so fast!"
ho exclaimed, angry at tho worrlmcnt
which It had caused hlu.
Then, at last, as hn came to a long
stretch -f open country, from which
ho could look down on a cli.ir view of
tho highway, ho became .convinced thnt
ho had tnUcnthe wrpng fork.
Hell, I must get duck, or uonven
only knows what may happen to hejr?"
and he turned 1,1s horse, to retrnce.'tho
mad night, VMut "ai wus a curious,
echo. I never, heard ono.befort In ailclv
thlil; wood ns those." .
Mennwhllo Myra had blundered upon ri
curious tragedy, for thepo modern days
of cynclsm against ovorythlng of tho
myotic.
CHAAPTER LVH.
The Witch of the Woods. -
A'
GROUP of boys, with a sturdy,
brond shouldered bulldog on ft
leash, were standing, at tho foot
of a big tree
Am Myra, Irritated at Payson Aldon'a
npparent stupidity In following her
raced nlonp tho roudwny she caught n,
sudden vlow of this llttlo tnblent;.
"Sic 'Ini, Tlgo;" cried ono lad.
Myra brought her horse to a stop; It
was simple femlnino curiosity. But a
sweeter femlnino instinct, the sympathy
for tho weaker In a. struggle, prompted
OCT
to rldo-ujl. xotauU latere after -
- . i i . ii Mi X.ssbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbV
aBlBaaBBVBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB JT BaBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBaiiBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB!
. miy,jf&FKKKWmBEmWQRk b(f bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbI
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBfiHT''1' BBBBBBBBBbBBBBBBBBBBBbW BaV BMmfsOBKtM i IlaW 4 , IbsBBBSBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBSBBBBBb1
BSBBBBBBBBBBBBBbMIV ksBBBBBBUksBBBBBF jflsBBBBBBT IsBBBBBbM:" Tf'rBBBBBBBBBVijBBBmllHW ?L S F kaBBBBBBBBBBBkaBBBBBBBBBT BBBBbB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBWlfTf iBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB4iaBBBBr aBBBBBBBBaOrfr ' BBBBBBBBBBBBBbV BBBBBbI
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBfBBTf ' aBBBaliaB' BSBBBBB'MiSBBBBBBBBBfiEi V 'i BBBBBBBBBBbHbBBBIjBB f Ws
..HHInH . i d7 'iBSk LI ibbHFMH'I91 THE,Dovi,rrniJTPjtBarQL
Hf-V:v: Jim: W ' BPJaBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBV U'l BBBBMilHMBK3 J '
: -:-MaX' 'Mm M HKKJB . . position it
BBBBBBBBBBBBBII ' BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBWBBBSbBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBbI 'fZit a?'lBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBllBBS(llBBVlBBBBBBBl
IBBBBBTBB 1 BBV BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBbI lt'' BBBB9BBBBBBBBBaBBBBf!lT-tw'
BBBBBBBBBBBBb! BBT , i I B"L!bBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBkS '"''BBBBl 'lBBBBBBiaBBBBMKJi ?'&
BBBBBBBBbTH-'V . tM" WiBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBraBBaBBBBBBBBaBBBM--aKraBBiB
III " 1 mMKmmkmmm
'aBflBBBHIftV " bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbOVSbbbsS
4b1bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb)B R nt&KIK&:K BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBaBaWy:';BBaWCl bibW tt i X&f rf 'TbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbI
om-t woman, anonon or oivwmer
iimu -,, tt (ari,u Viuan nfuui ...
weazened shoulders, rushed out of a
nmnil frimo housa no.irby.
"Vou let that cat alone!" sho cried
to the youngsters.
"Oh, the cet'B up a tree. What do wo
caro?" crleO the largest boy of tho
group. "Ixit's beat up the old witch,
for luck'"
And he, picked up a broken branch
from the1 ground. The others followed
him, and to Myra's consternntlon rush
ed at tho expostulating old' woman.
Tho alrl tapped hor nervous steed with
the riding crop and leaped over the nar
row gully at tho roadside, apeedlng Into
their mldM, Juit 'aa the biggest boy,
evidently the "gang bully" wan rnlalng
hla Impromptu cudgel to atrlltu tho
rcreamlng woman.
Ono of the boys gave a warning cry
and they scattered, tut not beforo tho
Indignant girl had delivered a punish
Inc stroke with the crop on tho shoul
der of tho biggest lad.
"You get nwny from here, or V will
lash all of you" she cried. Her flash
ing ojes and tho imperious note in her
volco nave evldonce to the young mu-
a , 'J
sssssssssssssssssssssssssissssssssssMi
PsBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBk ?l ,BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBVBBbV!9bBbW
kllBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBr JJbBbK Wfr BBBBaKp KM- SBBBBBBBbV fKaBBBBBBBBBBaHaBlV, " f 'SAiABkaiH
aSBBBBBBBBBBBBBaV' jajjll i S'" 'H'alk. JJaalBiBHiaBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBVlB&yiJ' " M SaffM
t-NLBBBBBBBBaPA iKW'l BBlBBBBVlBBBBBBffsViBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBML!W
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB' mBBBL " J ft' YJBBBBBBBBBbV ffBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBsiBBBBiaBBBBBBBBBBBBBVI
&?' " r"lBBBBBBBBBBBBPllFSV aRlBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBrftilBBBBBBBBBBBB
' jaBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBl
"'i1 JsbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbI
6YOQD RE,aryiT XO SHtOOY
rnudero thnt ahe meant what shu snld.
They obeyed with alacrity, but before
they departed with the growling bull
dog nature asHnrtcd Itself with n part
ing verbal shot:
"You'd bolter bo careful of the old
witch'"
"She'll put a spell on you!"
Other, less Impolite Jeers, followed,
but ns the boys disappeared Myra rode
her horso up to the tree, and reached
up for tho trembling cat on nn ovcr
hnnglug limb. The animal yielded to
her gentlo hand as she lifted It down
and turned toward the frightened old
woman.
"Here's tnbby, safe am? sound. I am
sorry tho boys alarmed you." sho be-
Sh'o slid nimbly to the ground, nnd
stroking tho black fur of the animal,
lowered It to the grass.
The old woman regarded hor with
a curious expression.
"You're very good to an old woman
Ihut every ono hates!" wero hor sur
prising words. ,
"Why! I don't understand. I don't
bellovo that everyone hates you."
The otd woman shook her head, ns
her hands trembled with the pitiful
palsy of extremo old ase ,
Neither Myra nor. she Baw two, hebds.
under henvy black caps, protruding from
the treo trunks n few yards to the right.
"Aren't you afraid of a witch?" was
the hesitating 'query. ...,
' Myra laughed merrily, as she shook
her blonde head.
"Not at nil. I don't believe In such
nonsense. It's only an excuse to mako
fun of people who hnve reached the age
wlioro they should be respeiited .iml
Jovcd," sho responded. "I am not afraid
'of you nt nil."
, Tho old woman laughed now, with .her
jnrfio mer Silts .In a leathery fdce. ,Yet
wrinKicjn eyes uquiiiiiug uiun uraj re-
tlieie.,was a.-
pioanani ring vu iiio uinin
.1 y s
mentJ W"tf'J 1
' "You're a qUeer little girl," sho said.
,'Not llko any one I've seen for, oh, so
many years. I may not bo a witch, but
I can do something nice for you!"
"What Is that?" asked Myra. eagerly.
"Can you tell my fortuno? Van yod tell
me who I am going to marry?"
And sho heldrout her soft, white palm,
after impetouaty Jerking off her .gaunt
let ,
The old crone shook her gray head,
with another cackle.
"That's what all girls want to know.
It's ensy to tell things llko thnt when
you have my power," and she started
toward tho door of tho llttlo house, fol
lowed by the black cat, which arched
Its back ns It brushed against tho hem
if tho long blown ijklrt.
As Myiu looked at her she realized
thnt tha unfortunato otd creature did
Indeed resemble tho drawings of witches
which, sho had seen In old story hooka tn
cniinnona h crcauious nays
But. I'd. not tell a. nice atlrl about the
future, IU'aw'ead'newant'Abotterfnobr
to know It. Andjrtf It's good news, It's
nicer to bo surpinedl" she mumbled and
shbok her toowllcss Jaw wisely. "Out
I Was young 'onco i myself, you know.
And I can show you somo one who has
always been young only.,the young be
levo In them-and only the young In
innocence and goodness can 'see them
again, except me."
Myra followed her, fascinated.
"Why, what. do you mean?" she asked.
"I can show you the real falrleal"
Myra smiled, dpubtfully, but tho, old
woman shook a talon-flngcr, as she
paused at the door.
"You don't believe tt, but wait until I
get some of the fairy salve, and I'll rub
it on your arm and prove It to you."
Myra could hardly believe her ears.
Now, sho guessed that the strange old
woman was demented, but beforo sho
had returned to her horse, the door
opened again and, sho reappeared.
This time she bor6 a queer white Jar
In her hnnds.
'It's n-rlV all gone!" cackled the old
lady, "but you were good to me and my
tabby-cnt. I'll let'yoti havo a' little.
Boll up your sleeve.".
The skinny finger was scraping nt tha
bottom of tho Jur. Myra hesitated, but
her strange companion nodded emphatically.-
.
"Don't be afraid. I wouldn't hurt you.
I don't hurt any one. Just try It and
ceeol"
She Inslsted.-nhd Myra, nlmont agatn.it
her will yielded to the piercing domi
nance, of thoso superanturnlly bright
old eyes. The old woman rubbed and
rubbed, upon1 the soft white flesh of her
forearm.
Whether it was the vision, under some
Btrangp form of hypnotism, or sonieother
occult manifestation of which nelthor
she nor Alden could ever find out, some
thing began to daneo nbout'in tho tender
green blades of tbe grass at her feet.
Then other llttlo. creatures Joined In tho
merry-nmUJng.
And to Myra's iflrm bejlef despite
tho unreality of It, despite the bright
sunlight and her conviction that here.
In tho glorious woods, of nil places sho
could havo no hallucinations the
fairies actually danced before her ou
the little stretch of green turfl
CHAPTER LVIII.
TheiSpellt Witchcraft.
t
HEnE(waa' Qie 'sound of 'thun
dering; hop.fbents upon the
roaVhfjty, rfnd'' Alden'a steed
dashed iU&ti
"Thanlf
Physician,
.tnwnrH i
heavens:;,' muttered the
dismounting and walklncr
the ., peaceful duo Myra.
flllAntK4 with tnnoinntaA
standing silently
eye aa she. watohed tho grass, and
the old woman at .hor side.
"Oh. Dr. -Alden, I saw the fnlries
dnnclngl" exclaimed tho girl, happily.
The physician laUKhed and regard
ed the old woman with a shorn
Klnnc, of flURPlclon. But nothing1
seemed wrong ,to ,Myra.
'.'Wed better;. be, returning. .Mlxs
Mvra. You gave'-me' n' scare and f
went down tho wrong, rond," ho said.
'"Hut you 'should ce them, 'too,"
insisted .JI.yra. "Won't vou show my
friend thrXalrics2 Al'l even pay vou,"
Tho old'womnn'iliook her head.
"No, I cannot dto It, now, for I've
used up the last bit, of magic salve.
And,-. beside, he's; too old to bellevo
them,"sahe.nawBrfl.
Alden glared atjfcer now, nnd beck
oned 'townrd' MvrJVA horse, which was
becoming restive.- 1
"Let'H iro home nnd let well enough
alone," he said."
Myra was offonded nt what seemed
his curtunss, nrtd ,she bowed politely
to the quaint old person,
"I'll come buck sonic time, if,Pninv,
nnd learn some more," she declared.
The old woman" waved hen 'hand
strangely ln ti, air. .and smiled ns
though inl 90tnf,. Jaort of sllont bless
ing. She turned "to enter tho llttlo
hut. .
...A."".",.1...1."
I don't think you ought to take
- Atr:
aaldnAlden ... .
yeuraoccult experiences,
you, should have.Iearned the. danger,
r didn't like the look' 'In that old
haflrVvWn '
'. Myra .was now truly offendedt as only
a girt can be offended by tha man she
"I don't .care to be scolded. You
mtsaedv something very wonderful. And
I want-to go home myself, now," ahe
eald.., haughtily.
"Tricy turned back on the' roadway.
-She waa silent for awhile.
"Oh, look, there's the little railroad
station' which I passed on" the" way here
from the fork. There Is at poor tele-
f:ranh operator who was sound asleep
n there when I came up." ,
"He will have a wreck on the road.
He ought to be careful!" observed
Alden. L, '
"Poor fellow, I did wake, htm up and
told him not to go aateep again. He
said that his assistant waa sick and he
had to work twenty-four hours a day
until they got a now man."
She rode toward the station, peered
Into tho window and then Jumped down
to tho platform, walking toward the
door.
Alden followed her In surprise.
"Wake up,- sir. You might lose your
any ono found you asleep
again," said Myra, touching hla shoul
der kindly.
"Oh, thank you. miss," and tho tired
young operator rubbed his eyes. "I'm
no sorry, but I'm so tired."
Alden smiled sympathetically.
"I II tell you how to make nn alarm
clock. Hold that tin pan In your hund,
when you got drowsy nnd nod. And If
you go to sleep you will wako up when
It fulls on tho floor," he said with a
serious touo In his voice.
The operntor looked nt him Incredu
lously, laughed, and then promised to
try It. Ho had six more hours of duty
beforo him.
"If you go to Bleep again I'll haunt
you.' tensed Myra.
Alden nnd Myra rode on then, little
rfnowlug what had happened at tho
homo of tho old woman.
When they readied Myra's home
Alden dismounted to help her down.
THey had bten gone perhaps a couplo of
hours.
"I must feed my pigeons again be
fore I let the groom take the horse,"
she said. She hunted up some crushed
corn and began to feed the birds once
more, ns Alden watched her with an ad
miring glance.
"Why, look what this pigeon hos on
Its foot!" exclaimed Myrn, In surprise,
as she picked up ono which had fit on
her shoulder.
It carried a finely written note at
tached to one of Its legs, with a small
silver wlro.
Myra read It. Then sho chuckled.
'She must bo a witch! Look what
Bho said!"
Alden read the mlsslvo Incredulously.
It was scrnwled over a tiny drawing of
nn ola woman, with a witch's hat, rid
ing a broomstick.
"If you want moro of the Witch's
ointment come tonight!" It snld.
"You remain home tonight!" cautioned
Alden Imperiousl).
"I'll do Juat ns I please, sir you are
becoming a dictator, nnd I don't like
you!" cried Mrn. She walked Into tho
houso In a huff, with her pretty head up
In the air. Alden waited for a farewell
nnd then laughingly mounted his horse
to go home.
On the road ho passed Arthur Varney,
driving his n"w nutomoblle. Tho two
men barely nodded. As soon as Alden
was out of sight Varney drove Into tho
Maynard cstato. nnd hurried up the
portico steps. Myrp was changing to
her dinner gown and Mrs. Maynard
spoko about the curious message on tho
fcot of tho pigeon. Varney dismissed
l as the Joko or some frlond, and Mrs.
Maynard left Mm alone for a few min
utes. He cnuisht up the telephone re
ceiver, nnntirivl thnt nn nnA tvnu within
'earshot.
"Hello, is thlo you. Master?" he whis
pered, when lilfi number had been oh.
tamed, "Our man caught ono of her
pigeons ana I see it has returned with
a queer message"
"Qood, Varney. That was from me.
Tnko her to tho Witch's house, up In
tho Pine Woods when she asks to go to
night. We will gel her there. Do not
bitray your trust!"
And ho hung un thu receiver. Varnev
did not know that two of the Black Or
der had spru:g out of the woods aftor
Myrr.'s departure from tho old woman'?
home, nnd forced her to tell about the
cintment. but wns more terrified than
ever of the Mnt-terV cunning.
After dinner that night, Mrs. Maynard
retired enrly, leaving Vnrney and Myra
together.
Tho girl then told of her dcslro to vis
it tho old woman's place onco more. He
tried oddly enough, tc dissuade her, but
mddenly over her shoulder In the reflec
tion of tho window, he seemed 'to see a
virion of the High Master, with the
thumbs upturned on olthor side of the
evil faco. Ho weakened and ngreed to
take her In hie machine.
They sped out nlonp tho road, nt My
in's direction, until after half an hour's
rldo they found the clearing.
Myin dismounted with agility from tho
throbbing car- Ae shn did so Vnrney
rlippad n lovnlvcr Into tho glrl'n hand.
"You may need this," he muttered,
and forced hr to silt. It Into tho pockol
of her automobile coat. Then ho trem
bled nt his own treachery to the Black
Order.
Tho girl hurried toward tho door of
tho little houso. A dim light- shone
through a window. As ahe knnckod
four masked men sprung from tho road
side upon yornay juxA pretended p
atrutufo. "Then they rushed at the- girl,
who had stepped within.
"I rccdvad your message," exclaimed
Myra, as she peered about the dimly
lit Interior. "I camo for the ointment,
nayou told me to do."
The old woman arose atlfly from the
cot upon which she had been lying.
"It la a trlckl I didn't send for you,"
ahe cried, affrlghtedly. Outaldo were
voices, and the crone sprang toward the
door to swing It shut and bar It. Rough
hands were pounding at the portal;, the
meo were demanding admittance. The
two women atood quiet, in their terror.
Then some heavy beams or ladder, Myra
could not tell which, began to bang
rhythmically agalnat the door: the in
trudera were using It as a battering
ram..
Myra remembered the revolver which
Varney had slipped to her. She drew It
from her pocket and fired three tlmea In
rapid succeaalon. At the laat report
there wa a cry of anguish from the
other aide of the wooden door. Then si
lence Indicated a temporary retreat.
'Th.eJ'..w", "turn." said the old wom
an. "When they do. I will show you
,1" VJ ?.,9!l.pc' for you wero kind to an
old witch like me!"
Myra sank weakly Into a chair as her
companion patted her shoulder and then
h.?J.t , heatl "oothlngly. The girl'a body
suddenly aeemed to become lifeless. Far
off in the telegraph station the drowsy
Kaior,.no.,dm? once TOOre' eemed to
behold a vision or the same young worn-
S!l.w.h.0.a5 fhlded hlm "" afternoon.
Tht. !?f,med t0i. ean over hli houlder.
on the top blank of a message pad on
the desk before him. Unconsciously he
began to tlck-tlck the name and address!
L!lin ime'iease'.t" h Sllw U written,
sending It along the wire to the next
station.
Aa ha finished th antrit v.hi.i..j ......
he awoke with a start. The tlnpan drop-
nt nnfftllv in tUm, .... r . . . ' .
his eyes. ""r. una ne ruDoea
. "J wonder If that was a dream?" mut-
ne.lJtiu? operSt?.V' ,He. l00keJ t the
pad of telegraph blanka In front of him.
But there was no meaaage written upon
the yellow sheets. .
However, Dr. Alden had received a
telegram, transmitted for speed from
the receiving office by telephone. The
message read: "I am in the Witch's
house. Save mi. Myra."
The phyalcian hurriedly called up the
police station, located In the suburbs
near this lonely address. The captain
promised action, with hia rcacrvea, at
once.
Alden aummoned a taxlcab, armed
himself and was soon speeding through
the dark streets toward the rustic high
way over which he had ridded so care
free that afternoon.
within the hut Myra had returned
to consciousness, under the old wom
an's administrations.
ane rose, exhausted from her
...., y., a imnce, ane anirred suspic
iously. "What's thnt? Rnm.tlilnff I. K..n
ing!" sho exclaimed. The old woman
iron to the other side of th iimi.
uuunc, leu. me wooden wall and wall
ed honelesalv.
They have set fire to this side." she
exclaimed. "If we run out they-will
catch us. They threatened my lire
nuernoon wnen you lert and now
they Wilt kill ma mralv"
Myra fired thA rmnintnir rnhntm In
the Chamber of the weapon 'through
the Wall, but evidently nn harm .
done to the conspirators outside. The
names now negan to lick their way
mm win room, inrougn cracKs ana
chinks of the wodwork.
Oh. we ata rinnmad ' ihn .Yi-I.lm.il
but the old woman drew her toward
me oiner corner.
"I havo a secret mmxAff her Sv
which we may escape; follow me." She
raised some Doaras ana disappeared
Into a dark hole.
Myra obeyed, and was soon crawling
on hands and kneea through a shal
low, roughly excavated tunnel. After
nve minutes or more sne was relieved
to breath the fresh night air again.
They had reached the mouth of the
Kassage nnd emerged In a clump or
eavy underbrush
'Como now run!" cneo ?le old
woman. She made away with tho same
surprising alacrity which Myra had
observed before.
But dnrk forms In the woodland
espied them. Shots were fired, and
the old woman dropped cautiously to
her knees. Myra crouched down as
A GAIN OF 8
POUNDS ON TWO
BOTTLESOF DREGO
Mrs. Walter F. Dixon, of
Dorsey, Howard County,
Md., Is Saving Money on
Doctors.
Mr. Walter K. utxon. or Dorsey, in
tho employ or the B. & U. It. It., made
this Interesting statement the other day:
'1 here's sincerity in every line and
enough proor In every paragraph to con
vince anybody. Here's what ho said:
"H you over saw a man spending
every dollar he could livy hold or with
physicians, trying to cure his wite i
am that man! I positively spent what
was a rortuno to me. and seemed as it 1
could novor got ahead any. tor tho con
stant drag or doctor's hills. And the
worst of It was. I saw little or no Im
provement In her condition. 8ho suner
ed from chronic! constipation, pains in
the back nnd limbs, wns very nervous,
had so llttlo appetite she ate like u tiird.
and had almost constant headaches.
"t'ho sort or thing' went on ror a lonv
time: we'd try first ono doctor and thon
another. She took bottlo after bottle
or drugs of every sort, and any benent
she experience was so slight, ft wasn't
worth talking about, and she was get
ting pretty discouraged, l can tell you.
"I heard of Drcco somewhere I don't
remember where now! M- u-ir. ain
ane'd try It thoroughly, ir I'd get it ror
her. She waa about to that point wnere
ahe'd try anything to get roller.
"Uhe's taken two bottiea now, and
shes a new. woman! Absolutely, you
wouldn't knowiher! She's looking bet
ter and reeling better than ror years.
After tho first few doses the pains In
her back and' limbs lert her, and ane
was comfortable for tho nrst time n
months! she woo able to 'eat llko any
other normal woman, nnd suttered no
ill effects afterwards! No moro trouble
from constipation, and. in fact, x con
sider that nnother oottio or two at tho
most will mako an entirely well woman
of her and you can bet she's going to
navo them!"
nt'f'c Pr,eco tod.y, a any ODonneii
,nru.pStorS' Pury s in Anncostla, Allen's
in Alexandria Advt.
LOANS
HORNING
Rlea.Va (south end of iricrhu. nj..i
gi -autamobUa fnna.tl.aad-0.auaw.
well, her heating heart threatening- to
betray their whereabouts.
"Don't -mpvc I'M 'beglamdur them
bo that we will look.HKo Trees to them."
said the old woman, ' making' soma
ourlous passes with her hando.ln the
direction of their -pursuers.. At her
command, Myra lay flat tlpon tho'
ground while the old woman crouched.
Four men, weapons in band; rushed
toward 'them. Thin ,they. stopped.
"Nothing" but a fallen tree and a
stump!" cried one of'tbem, pointing;
at Myra and her , aged proteotor. "I
could have sworn 'that they Were tho
two women."
He rubbed his eyes Inui-dAzed way,
as though hair hypnotized, .."Bhoothera
peered around stupidly, cursing In
their disappointment. '
Or. the roadside, 'Alden, with several
policemen, waa rushing toward the flam
ing house. Ills hejirl 6a nk aa. ho aaw
tho walls "ao In with a grcfit.ahowcr
or angry sparks shooting Atoyward.
"Too late!" ho muttered. "They have
eucceedcdl" . ''
With the bluecontf, he ran toward tha
house, to do what he could Ineffectual
as he felt It woulC be. f-
Suddenly from the thick woodland, be
hlnn the ruined hut, be heard the pierc
ing scream of a woman. .. .
He dashed In that, direction) fpllowed
by n. police officer. Ho fired- point
blank at two men who opposed him, and,
they melted away In" the darkness.
He almost tumblco.over Myra,, who
was still 'lying upon the 'grhundi He
saw thtee othor figures Jyst disappear
ing ahead of them; but the safety, of
the beloved girl carrie'flrst. He latfght
her up in his arm. Bhe, had .fainted.
Ho boro her in' his irrms to the automo
bile, where sho regained consciousness,
to Inquire about her. protectress. .
"The polico'hnve found no one 'in the
wcods." answered -Alden. tf'Hcayen help
the old soul "
"The man had Just recognized 'her
when she .scrcumed,'' explained, -Mxra,
"and he struck her with a, kplfbl -Oh,
It was drcntlfnl, but what carf nitve1 be
come of Arthur Varney?','
An officer JUBt walked ovr to them,
with Vnrney at his ride limping 'notice
ably. The-latter had been found tn hla
own automobile ga gyred and bound. It
Was a pet feet nllbl,nnd'yet"AIlefv1ll8
tened to the' story with . growing .dis
trust. At Myrii's Insistence ho rods
back homo with her In Vnrnop'a lna
chlr.e. She recounted, the -wbolo story
to htm and tod of her dream. Alden
surprised her with the acebbht 6f the
telegram. , ,r y.
"And yet they sny that' dfeams are
never true." ho '.remarked. "Wc will
have a whole lot to investigate, before
w understand nil ot thU nlghf s work!"
He wan right -Even tftaiV surprises
were to cone! ( , (,
(Tb He Continued.) .
This Episode Today -Hippodrome.
Oth and New York Ate. Advt.
First Episode Todity, Georgia Thea
ter, 3422 Georgia Ave. N. AV. Advt.
SNAP YOUR
MANUFACTURER
We Guarantee This
If you're troubled with d.and-
ruff, falling hair or irritAtirins'Cof
the scalp, buy a bottle :bf Speiser's
Scalp Tonic at 0'Donneir&.rDrug
Store, 904 F Street. Buy it vlith
the assurance that- it, will- ac
complish just what is cIaimed"or
it. Your money's waiting Toi you
if it fails. No beating around 'the
bush no necessity for sending, to
the manufacturer for a.. refund, for
Mr. O'Donnell guarantees it pVr"
sonally. M
Speiser's Scalp Tonic, contains
neither cocoanut oil on harmful
alkalis. It doesn't ftfam all alkalis
foam) , for it's absolutely "pi(re. It's
exactly what its name implies
a tonic for the scalp. .If 'used ac
cording to directions forn reason
able length of time it will correct
any abnormal and dry condition of
the scalp, kill dandruff- and relieve
itching and irritated , skins. Sold
only by O'Donnell's.! Price, 50o
per bottle.
Advt,
i,
FINGERS AI HE
M myHmit WaassriM
B JJfTrftwJlM tfra
janiTmMStf 2H
JBArclutects9 V
Wj Specialties jj
W Artists' fl
f Colorman T
I SCHMIDT I
W 719-721 13th StNi Witt
aaaaK Iff
M Builders' Exchange Bldf.. ,
Hffl (Corridor Kntrnnccj', 5
UnA nre at your Nf
UV service. 'Atf&jlt
"