The San Francisco call., 1904-09-18

speed. We were going at a mad pace:
/ struck him across the mouth anu
across the eyes. He lost control OF the
machine. I jumped then - was not
even shaken. I saw the motor dasneo
to pieces against the wall, and saw
him pitched on his head into the road
1 leaned over and looked at him. He
was quite still. / could not near ms
heart beat. l thought that he was dead.
! stole away and walked to The railway
station. That night in Paris l saw on
the bills Fatal Motor Accident LIE
Petit Journal said that the man was
dead was afraid that 1 might De
called upon as a witness. That Is why
l was so anxious to leave Paris. Inc
man who came to our rooms, you Know
that night was his friend"
THE good God" Anna murmureo'
herself shaken with fear. You were
married to him."
1T could not be legal" Annaoei
moaned. 1T couldn't be. / thought
that 1 was marrying Meysey Hill, not
that creature. We stepped from the
Embassy into the motor-and oh! L
thought that he was dead. Why didn't
he die?''
Anna sprang to her feet and walked
restlessly UP and down the room. An
mabel watched her with wide-open,
terrified eyes.
You won't give me away, Anna. He
would never recognize me now. You
are much more like what I was then. )"
Anna stopped in fsont of her.
You don't propose. do you" she said
quietly, that I should take this man
for my husband?"
You can drive him away" Annabel
cried Tell him that he is mad. Go
and live somewhere else"
In his present mood" Anna re-
marked, "he would follow me-"
"Oh, you are strong and brave"
Annabel murmured. You can keep
him at arms length. Besides, it was
under false pretenses. He told me that
he was a millionaire. 1t could not be a
legal marriage"
II am very much afraid" Anna
answered, that it was. 1t might be
upset l am wondering whether it
would not be better to tell your hus-
band everything. You will never be
happy with this hanging over you"
Annabel moistened her dry lips with
a handkerchief STEPPED in eau de
cologne.
You don't know him, Anna" she
said with a little shudder. "or you
would not talk like that. He is STEPPED
In the conventions. Every slight action
is influenced by what he imagines
would be the opinion of other people.
Anything in the least irregular is like
no real generosity. You might tell the
truth to some men, but never to him. :"
Anna was thoughtful. A conviction
that her sisters words were true had
from the first possessed her.
"Annabel," she said slowly, 'ff
fight this thing out myself, can 1 trust
you that it will not be a vain sacrifice? !?
After what you have said ii is useless
for us to play with words. You do
not love your husband you have mar
ried him for position-to escape from
things which you feared. Will you
be faithful and honest wife? Will
you do your duty by him and forget
all your past follies? Unless, Annabel,
you can"
"Oh. will pledge you my word, .
Annabel cried passionately. my SOL
emn word. Believe me, Anna. Oh,
you must believe me. / have been very
foolish, but it is over''
Remember that you are still young,
and fond Of admiration" Anna said.
You will not give Sir John any cause
for Jealousy? You will have no Sc
crets from him except-concernin
those things which are past?''
Anna, swear it," her sister sob
bed.
Then I will do what 1 can," Anna
promised. Il believe that you are
quite safe. He has had brain fever
SlHSS' anu dS you say, L am more IKE
what you were then than you your
self are now. I don't think for mo-
ment that he would recognize you"
Annabel clutched her sisters hands.
The tears were streaming down her
face. her voice was thick with sobs.
Anna, you are the dearest, bravest
sister in the world" she cried ''Oh, I
can't thank you. You dear, dear girl.
listen"
They heard a mans voice outside.
Sir. John." Annabel gasped.
Anna sprang to her feet and made
for the dressing-room door.
One moment, if you pleasei'
She stopped short and looked around
Sir John stood upon the threshold.