A Crime on Canvas by Fred M. White — Read

ETHEL turned the card slowly and thoughtfully over in her fingers. She hesitated a long time--so long indeed, that the servant stood fidgeting, waiting for orders. So far as the girl could see there was no reason at all why she should grant an interview to this visitor, despite the fact that the message on the card was both imperative and urgent. In truth, it would not be the first time she and Charlotte Beaumont had met, though the previous interview had been anything but satisfactory to Sir Arthur Blantyre's granddaughter. Above all things, the girl hated mystery. She had had enough and to spare of it lately. She turned away from every suggestion of it with impatience. Besides, this intrigue, this whispering in corners, was foreign to her. She did not lack her share of the Blantyre pride, though from her point of view pride and uprightness should always go together. That Charlotte Beaumont was in some way connected with her and her family she did not question for a moment. The actress's likeness to herself forbade all doubt.

She was tempted to tear the card up and throw it in the fire and to send out a message that it was useless for Miss Beaumont to waste her time here. And then there came to her the recollection of the last meeting, of the strange half-imploring look in the eye of the stranger. Moreover to appear discourteous and give pain were abhorrent to Ethel's nature.