Evening Star Newspaper, September 25, 1929, Page 22

The Door of Death By John (Copyrisht, 1929, North American Newspe - Esteven Alllancy and Metropoltten Nerepaper Service.) SYNOPSIS. fter the murder of Celia Ballion. his regard for her included acquiescence ‘h’}m her decision, even if it was against 1 could understand how he had per- 5 e suaded her, and I was thankful he had. *}is | It was indeed, as he phrased it, ap- nd | propriate that the three of us should . “Dr, Ames. a friend of Eleanor Graham, the murdered woman's sister. has been convinced from the first of Balion's Hy the butler. knows something about orse_becomes convinced that for the doctor to remain_at ut_his warning is unheeded. The ake her and her the 'man out of the way. ~ Nors Ames an “anonymous lettér in feminine handwriting that_purports to establish an alibl for Prancis Ballion. He also says that. as a result of his handiing of the case. he .~ That night drugged food and wine is given Ames at Grevhouse. He pelleves “this to be the work of Carl and nor, but later he absolves Eleanor from blame. ' Her servan d she auits Grexhouse, er retusal to £ in Francis' crime. the butler may have tried to drug him. jeanor goes into retirement. breaks her en- mement. and later promises fo mArry Ames. ter. in his club, Ames is accosted by Carl Ballion. _(Continued From Yesterday's Star.) TWENTY-PHIRD INSTALLMENT. & ‘I had a letter this morning from Eleanor,” he sald abruptly. Then he paused, and every nerve of mine sprang alert. “She told me,” he went on, “that she cared for you, and did it with the same frankness that she used recently in dismissing me. I have no comments to make, except that I wish you both happiness, and I have already ‘expressed this to her.” 1 answered with the conventional thanks. “Not at all,” he took me up. “I like you and I'm devoted to her. No doubt she has chosen wisely. I'm under the shadow of what happened at Greyhouse and possibly would have made her un- happy. One accepts facts as they are.” He lit a cigarette and repeated: w“pacts as they are! Some men, I sup- pose, would be out of patience with you for” and he laughed, “playing them such a trick. I'm not. I rather admire you for it, for outwitting me—though, in the case of so rare a girl as Eleanor, the expression sounds more flippant than I mean. I don’t blame you in the Jeast, because I should have done the | same. One cannot stand on formalities | in love and life. It's a matter of every man for himself, my dear Ames, and devil take the hindmost. So there’s my hand on it.” He leaned forward and shook my hand warmly. There was in all this an undercurrent of chagrin—indeed, of | sadness—that in the case of so proud a man as Ballion touched me. At a stroke his generosity atoned for the slights and contempt I had suffered from him and I pitied, respected and rather liked “There are times and tides,” he said, “that exemplify the adage that it never rains but it pours. Everything had gone well with me, too well. I had always been lucky. Then in two weeks occur the tragedy of Celia and Francis, and, ‘hardest of all, this loss of Eleanor. Blind luck! Now heads, now tails. Let’s hope,” and his smile invited sympathy, “that my next throw will be more for- tunate.” “I'm sure of it.” I replied, not to be eutdone in feeling. “Are you?” he queried. Then laugh- ing, “Well, my very next scheme de- pends on you and I hope you'll indulge me. In a few words it’s this: The proc- ess of dividing the Graham and Bal- lion estates includes an inventory scheduled at Greyhouse for tomorrow afternoon, which Eleanor has to at- tend. Our attorney and the appraisers will arrive at 2. Now, in spite of what painful associations the place has for Eleanor, it occurred to me that, as long as she must be there in any case, she might at least do me the kindness of | coming in time for lunch. She owes me a little preparation, and so do_you. I told her that yesterday when I called with my rueful good wishes, and she consented, providing you could arrange it. Don't tell me you ecan’t!” “Ill _be delighted” I answered, eharmed equally by his manner and by the prospect of an earlier glimpse of Eleanor. “Of course.” “Good!” he exclaimed. “It's ap- propriate, don't you think, for the three of us to sit together once more at t! eame table in Greyhouse?” T had hoped to drive by for Eleanor and take her out with me; but it ap- peared that there were matters for dis- cussion in regard to the inventory, and they had arranged to meet at Grey- house earlier in the morning. “Half t 12, he enjoyed, “not a moment later. I apologize in advance for the service. Since that blackguard, Hasta, disappeared, I've taken on a very indifferent butler. But I promise one thing.” “What's that?” T asked. “Cham] e—not Barbera this time.’ He shook head gravely. “That was a close shave for you; but, at least, it explained matters.” I was utterly mis- taken in the man. And, by the way, I hear Norse is to be cashiered—poor old Norse. I'm afraid he's not very com petent, but I can't understand why he not been able to find Hasta., Well, to- morrow, then. Au revoir.” With another cordial grasp of the hand, he strolled away, nodding to sev- eral acquaintances at the door. He remained very much in my mind that evening. I regretted misjudging him, and indeed, were it not that lovers are shameless, I would have re- proached myself. He had shown a magnanimity in keeping with his talents and reputation, a breadth of nature that, I realized, far exceeded mine. I understood his popularity, his host of friends, and a success phenomenal at his age, which, as I recall, was then barely 32. Compared him with X even vanity had to admit that Eleanor had been mercifully blind. ~Nothing but luck could account for ft—the ill wind of her experiences at Greyhouse that had blown me good. I foresaw a distinguished career before him that ht lead to any height; I wondered if later, in view of his achievements, she ‘would not regret. It occurred to me that a proof of Ty D ‘nad evidently aliayed her dread e evidently er dre L‘:‘{\h, which she had expressed so re- cently. Of course, a woman would dread the disappointment of such a man. And one else with his force would conclude our mutual adventure as friends, and in the surroundings . here it had begun. It would lessen what- ever bitterness remained; it might in- sugurate a pleasant, normal relationship. I felt, of course, a certain misgiving— 5% [and who under the circumstances would not?—that his charm, combined with the peculiar atmosphere of Greyhouse, might affect her attitude toward me; but on this point she reassured me her- S |self, that very evening. I had tele- phoned to ask about her interview with Ballion. “Don’t think it strange,” she said, “that I accepted the invitation. I couldn’t have refused. It was such a rellef to find him_ generous and kind, instead of angry. His references to you and our future really touched me. "He was_superb. Besides, as he said, I would have to go to Greyhouse anyway s |about the inventory. You don't mind?" “No . ..but I'm afraid . . .” © “Of what?” “He's very attractive.” I could hear her frank laugh. “Are you beginning to worry so soon? Please don't! There's not the least danger.” And she added a few other things that are hardly necessary to repeat: but, as the saying is, I slept on them very hap- pily, impatient for tomorrow. The morning dragged by. It brought something of a thrill to think that we were to meet—and in Greyhouse, but under such altered conditions. The roles were now reversed between Carl and myself. however much I endeavored to make it easy for him. It happened that at half-past 11, having finished with the hospital rou- tine, I chanced to be passing the Mu- nicipal Building and remembered that Norse had not heard as yet of my good fortune. I had grown fond of him, and, be- sides, T owed him a good deal on the score of his letter to Eleanor; but, above all, there were few with whom ONE-CENT FLOWER . SALE! ROSES— One dozen for $1.00 Two dozen for $1.01 DAHLIAS, One dozen .. 807 14th St. N.W. Metro. 7433 field. P Food end Service Unsurpassed (COLUMBIA RD. at 18 WST| OPPOSITE 4 MBASSADAR : TONIGHT . g 0 st 5 Until 7:30 8 Raeterines t -§ SEA : § FOOD ; | DINNER 75¢ ; Speclal Club Steak Dinmnmer, ‘l 00 # T Chieg Bty $1.00 Salad courses for those not desiring regular mens. COLUMBIA 5042 | Something new in hats. The edge of the brim is turned under twice and then stitch- ed. Sounds simple, but the results are astonishing in wear and appearance. A season ahead of the In Brazilian brown. (Main Floor) Exclusive in Washington at The Hecht Co. Tare Hecat Co. “F Street at Seventh” THE EVENING STAR. WASHINGTON. D. C. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. 1929. I had the right at this stage to talk about her, and that, as any one of ex- perience will allow, was an elemental ing the chauffeur to walt out- | . need. Telli side, I went up to his office. He received me more cordially than ever, and, impassive as he was, seemed in the hi humor. As 1 un- folded my news {IVO an enthusiastic “Bravo!” He shook both my hands: “At least, that much good has come out of Greyhouse!” “So,” I returned, “you don’t think Eleanor guilty any longer!” “My dear man, I never did.” 9 “And you see,” I went on, “by not taking your advice and not shunning the pitfalls you kept hinting at I'm wfithout any doubt the happiest man alive.” He grinned. “Fool's luck, Richard! Except for that you'd neither be alive nor happy. But I admit you have the right to crow, long_and loud. She's one of the finest girls I've known, “It's a pity,” said I, “that you aren't invited as a fourth at our luncheon to- day in Greyhouse—" “What!” “Yes, that's really the best part of it. Carl has bzen wonderfully decent and has asked Eleanor and me—" I stopped, amazed at the change in him. He had become suddenly intent, ;fls lips pressed together, his eyes blaz- ng. “Were you,” he spoke with an effort, “were you going to take Miss Graham with you?” “No; you see, there was to be an in- ventory this afternoon of various ob- jects in the house, and she went this morning with Carl—" ““Alone?” “Why, yes, if—" “When?"” he cried. “I'm not sure. Perhaps several hours 2g0.” He had let his hands drop to his sides. “Can’t you tell me,” I began, “what's wrong?” He raised his head sharply. “Why, ves. I'll tell you. It concerns the life of Eleanor Graham—and I'm going to be fourth at that luncheon, if we're not too late. (To Be Continued.) . Files $750,000 Libel Suit. SAN FRANCISCO, September 25 (/) —Andrew M. Lawrence, former pub- lisher of the San Francisco Journal now defunct, filed a libel suit in the United States District Court here yes- terday for $750,000 against the Chron- icle Publishing Co. The suit alleges that several pa hs in a recent Chronicle editor! An American dredge is being used to mine tin in Siam. Bise s s leneisias Y $1.00 Two dozen ..... Or One Dozen Roses and Dozen Dahlias, $1.01 Boston Ferns ........ccc0c00c0nn s stsisieier o RSP Delivered, $1.50 Cash & Carry Flower Stores 804 17th St. N.W. Franklin 10391 hat s I 00 E Husband, | Like Both Wear BROWN A , o and Complete the Perfect Match . . . OMESTIC propaganda, of - course! But this matter of Fashion is a serious thing, and - people have been known to laugh ard weep, and run about biting their finger-nails because of it. Already a fine art when style-conscious men and women ensemble their apparel for color. Yet, what a triumph in sartorial perfection ... we give three rousing huzzas . . . when husband and wife appear in the grand manner with colors flying, both matched to .a turn, and perfectly, like peas in a pod. ... It’s a vogue that promises a great deal. Our departments are brim- ming over with brown ideas. And the best part of it all is, they’re rather inexpensive ideas, and so ultra smart. “F Street at Seventh” o Ine Husbands Will Wear . .. A Society Brand Brown Suit A Dobbs Brown Hat Hanan Brown Shoes A Manhattan Tan Shirt Interwoven Brown Socks A Trojan Brown Tie Wives Will Wear . . . A Carolyn Mode Brown . Dress A Dobbs Close-fitting Brown * Hat Van Raalte Brown Hose I. Miller Brown Shoes Kayser Brown Gloves And a Matching Bag of Brown HecuT Co. e O