Evening star., 1901-11-23

wording. yet Helen sa. like one fascinated
studying every word, every curve of the
clear chirography. Yes, she knew it, "G
W The interlacing of those letters was
unmistakable. In Graham's safe lay two
notes signed with the same interviewer in
ltlals. There was no mistaking the SINH
larity. Then she tried a trick of which
Graham had often spoken, picturing War
ners face without the beard. Slowly each
feature stood out in her mind until she had
a perfect reproduction of the photographs
also In Graham's safe. And this was Gro
yer Worrel. not Glenn Warner. The book
he was writing? A ruse to throw detec-
tives off his track. He was simply waiting
for interest in his case to lag-then Europe
and that womani She remembered quite
well that Graham had outlined that very
theory-temporary concealment close to
New York
Ten minutes later Helen came down
stairs and called for Jimmy. In her hand
was slip of paper.
Jimmy, dear, 1 want you to row right
over to the Harbor and send this by wire"
She pressed So bill into his hand.
Jimmy stared curiously at the message.
! The address, David Graham, Room Ill,
Edison Building, New York. was all he
could understand.
Gee, Nell, this don't make sense"
Never mind, Jimmy; it will make sense
to the man who get it, and 1 want it sent
| just that way. You can keep every cent
of the change"
Jubilant, Jimmy rowed off toward the
| Point with Warner. He noted her evident
despondency. 1t seemed as if the sunlight
had been suddenly drenched and the air
| turned cold. Once perched on the rocks, he
| tried to resume his old bantering tone.
rs your mother preparing a feast in
the prodigal daughters honor?"
| She called me that, too!' said Helen,
| musingly
Sudden silence fell between them. 1t
was Warner who finally spoke, but his
voice had lost the careless ring.
| thanksgiving day is the time for all
prodlgals to put in appearance, isn't it?
| you are brave, strong, self-reliant, clear
| eyed and honest but burdened with mis-
| takes and sins, whether your mother would
| have been like the Puritan mothers of old,
closing the doors upon you, whether she
| would open her arms and heart to you?''
| CLOSE the doors on Thanksgiving day +?
=, NO. nor on any other day. Mothers-the
| right kind of mothers-are always ready
| to forgive, and give us chance to try it
| over. That is a womans right and privi-
| lege-to forgive, and make the world better
| for her forgiveness"
Helen spoke in low, earnest voice. She
had forgotten everything save the knowl-
| edge that had come to her through those
| two interviewer letters
| I wonder II my mother would look at
| it that way
II think so. if she's like her son. Why
| don't you try?'
The words slipped out unconsciously.
/
| at first, then quietly, almost yearningly.
/ She sat with her hands loosely cIasped
about her knees, her clear gray eyes sWeep-
| ing the distant horizon
| "Oh. I've been such fool--such a selfish
| ass-there's no chance for me-" he an
| swered, bitterly
| There is always the chance-if we make
IT, said Helen quietly, but with an odd
| quayer In her voice. "The trouble is that we
| always wait for some one else to offer the
| chance-to make it for u.s."
| warner was silent. His glance followed
| hers to the horizon, where the sunlight
! seemed to be casting a shower Of dia-
| monds.
| by Jove, Miss Maitland, believe you,r
| right. I'm not going to tell you the story
| or my life. You've been too good to de-
| well, I'm very glad you came to Benson
| Harbor for Thanksgiving day."
What was passing in his mind Helen
could only guess. But that the demon of
| remorse had entered his heart she knew
| The plea of the prodigal son was on his lins
| ana she The sunlight danced on the
waves and on boat that rode the water
| gaily. 1t was Jimmy coming back frnn,
4 Benson Harbor. The message was sneedino .
| toward New York.
| For few moments Helen, silently watch
| ing the oncoming boat, fought out her fight
| Should she tell him the contents Of thai
| message? Should she give him the chance
| to escape that night? In the morning-on
/ Thanksgiving day-Graham would come
What steps would the detective take? Once
on their way down, when Warner was help
| Ing her over rough place In the rocks.
she almost ciasped his hand and told him
the truth. Then, as from the distance
came the murmur of voices In Graham's
office. What was he saying?