The Mystery of Mary

ving Mrs. Parker Bowman's address to the driver. In the uncertain light of the distant arc-lamp, the girl look

to put on this coat? It may not be just what you would have selected, but it wa

e coat and thre

ured gratefully, slipping

and produced a large picture hat with long black plumes. He was relieved to find it black. While he untied the strings, there had been a g

grateful relief that was entire

the gloves and laid them gravely in h

to dinner!" g

rs. Parker Bowman, to whose house I was invited, was asking for my sister to fill the place of an absent guest. My sist

d. "That was

now. Somehow, she gathered from my talk that you were travelling, had just returned from abroad, and were temporarily separated from your friends. She is also sure that you are musical, and means to ask you to help her out in that way this evening. I told her I was not sure whether you could be persuaded or not, and she mercifully refrained from asking whether you sang or played. I tell you all this so that you will be prepared for anything. Of course I didn't tell her all these things. I merely kept still when she

ent from astonishment

ive more room, for breathing. "I must get away somewhere at once. I cannot trouble you in this way. I have already imposed upon your kindness. W

nother carriage, just ahead of theirs, was stopping before

e, till I am free to go with you. No one can follow you here, or suspect that you had gone out to dinner at a stranger's house. Believe me, i

w can I do such a thing as to steal into a woman's house to a din

e the door now, and the driver

ave nothing to do but talk about impersonal matters for a little while and be entertaining. She was most insistent that you take no thought about the matter of dress. She said

er opened the

en she had first spoken to him. She stepped quietly from the carriage, a

e great pasteboard box to his club. This idea had come as a sudden inspirat

this evening?" he asked in a low tone, as they turned to

stopping over in this city, they often go on to

ensely becoming. She was not ill-dressed for the part she had to play, fo

man remembered that he must introduce his new friend. As there was n

d arranged his necktie. He had caught a passing glimpse of the assembled company, and knew that Mr. Bowman was growing impatient for his dinner. His heart almost failed him now that the girl was o

dressing-room, and Mrs. Bowman was approaching them

can see by the first glance that it is going to be a privilege

ask me," said the girl, with p

each other? I shall feel quite hurt if you have never mentioned me to her. Now, come, for my cook is in the last stages of despair

g her with a kind of proprietary pride as she moved forward to be introduced to the other guests, when he saw her sweep one quick glance about the room, and for j

more than a passing interest; but the keen eyes were almost immediately transferred to his own fa

arrangement, and sat furtively studying the delicate tinting of her face, the dainty line of cheek and chin and ear, the s

dge turned to th

strongly of a young woman who w

her lips white, but she lifted her dark eyes bravely to the kindly blue o

me for speaking of it, but her dress was something soft and beautiful, like yours, and seemed to suit her face. I was deeply interested in her, although until this afternoon she was a stranger. She came to me for a small matter of business, and after it was attended to, and

by so much as a flicker of an eyelash that she was passing under the keenest inspection. She toyed with the salted almonds beside her plate and held the heavy

the inner office where I was at work, and two opening into a hall, one on the side and the other on the end op

stion was asked coolly and with as much int

earance, two well-dressed men entered my office and inquired for her. One had an intellectual head, but looked hard and cruel; the other was very handsome-and disagreeable. When he could not find the young lady, he laid claim

harm has come to her?

d I cannot get her out of my mind. When you first appeared in the doorway you gave me quite a start. I thought you were

said the girl, and there was something in the eyes that were

t kind of you. But perhaps she has found

," she suggeste

the young man on her right, who had not missed a word of the previous tête-à-tête, could n

eer in his power, he could not but wish that he might follow them to the other room. He felt entire confidence in his new friend's ability to play her part t

llowed her. His hostess, in passi

t please don't begrudge her to us for a few minutes. I p

oung man of much experience and self-control blushed furiously

e. She cast about in her mind for subjects of conversation which should forestall unsafe topics, and intuitively sought the p

began. "So opportune! Do tell m

She looked up shyly into the pleasantly curious eyes of Mrs

omething very special between these two. "Why, not so very long, Mrs. Bowman-not as long

y tapping the round cheek with her fan. "Did

laughing now in spite of herself.

"Were you at--" But the girl interrupted her. She could not afford to discuss the

has failed you. I shall be very glad to, if it will help you any. What do you care for? Someth

siring most earnestly to give her guests a

e willing. Suppose you give us something serious now, and later, when the men come in, we

firm and velvety, and she brought out a bell-like tone from the instrument that made the little company of women realize that the player was mistress of her art. Her graceful figure and lovely head, with its simple ripples and waves of hair, were more noticeable than ever

s. She began to plan how she might keep this acquisition and exploit her among

d ecstatically, when the last wailing, sobbing, soothing chord had died away;

hich those who cared to could talk in low tones. Afterwards the m

stein's exquisite tone portrait, Kamen

sired talk with the famous judge

, each discovering that the other was watching

n, smiling into the face of the yo

ham. "That is, I should like

of his own. "You are a fortunate fellow. I hope you may succeed in making her think so. Do you know, she interests me more

in the matter, and the Judge told the

ad been warned by his wife to give young Dunham an opportunity to

om the Judge paused a moment to list

t but think it had something to do with the girl's disappearance, although the door was clo

is heart that the story might in some way explain

ut in the statement that she's like your friend. By the way, who is making such exquisite music? Suppose we go and i

men rose a

e the company listened with the most rapt and wondering look. She was

d bring forth such an entrancing volume of sound from the instrument was a great surprise. That she was s

and octave runs with a precision and rapidity that seemed inspired. The final crash came in a shower of

ant with feverish excitement. Those eyes seemed to be pleading with him now to set her free from the kindly scrutiny of

Tell us all about yourself. We are dying to know, and wil

drawing his watch from his pocket with apparent hasty rem

raid if Miss Remington feels that she must take the next train, we shall have to make all possible speed

pite of her protesting hostess. Mrs. Bowman was held at bay with sweet expressions of gratitude for the pleasant entertainment. The great black picture hat

he keen hostess, determined to be able to tell h

urrying off, won't you? And it has been so lovely of you to ask me-p

down the broad steps, and the host

well insisted upon kissing the smooth cheek of the young musician, and whispered in her ear: "You play very nicely, my dear. I shou