The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-08-06
PART CHAPTER XVI.

with little gasp her sobbing ceased
PART I-CHAPTER XVI.
Mrs Maxfead blotteG the letter THAI
she was writing and laid 1t on the top
Of her desk. Then she pushed back her
chair
| For two minutes she had been con-
scious that Anna was standing IN the
! doorwayt for quite one minute she had
been aware that her own pulses were
! moving at a quickered rate; but appear
ances We're of primary account She
was careful first to blot the letter after
ward TO turn round
/ Her unmoved expression rs she greet
! ed the girl did her credit Anna, at
/ first glance. was disconcerted. Her figure
was limp her face married by sleepless-
ness and tears.
! Like tho organizer Of a campaign. Mrs.
! Naxtead summed up the situation. She
! bracketed the state of affairs and her
own plan Of action; then she went for
ward with both hands silently held out.
Anna stood notioniess for second:
then suddenly walked past her into the
room. pausiEg by the bed
- 4
7 only came for minute" she said.
| seemed right The letter Is no good! No
good! 7 have thought it out and I can't
| do i'll can'tr' Her voice jerked, her
/ sentences did not join Mrs Maxtead's
| eyelids dropped a shade
/ The word cannot is so tentative -
she said at last softly. However we dis
| guise It. II is always tentative. It was in
/ vented So She moved toward the bed,
her figure fra gile against the whitened
! light-a fragility In contrast 20 the
expression of her mouth.
| "Dear little girl With a caressfng
! touch she laid her fingers on Annals
I coat and opened the TOP button. Dear
little girl The second button came Un-
/ done.
| Anna moved impatiently.
! It's no good! You mustn't It only
hurts
/! The sky outside was leaden;- great
raindrops fell at intervals. each with
/ little splash Mrs Maxstead walked to
the window and half drew the curtains:
/ then she stepped to the fire and stirred
! it to "A blaze. Long tongues of fame shot
up. casting lines OF Brightness; she
watched them interestedly as she drop
ped into a chair
Y Y
anna, size S&AiQ dSA4DEEdAS4Er l
wrote you a whole sermon. Surely you
will cry quits? Proposals Ike mine are
! not disposed OF in six or seven words;
people ike me are not disposed OF in
six OF seven words"
Anna looked round
IL think I'd like 10 CO." she said.
Why The word was intensely dne.
Incredibly sharp
"Because-" Anna's strength deserted
| her. Because my mind is made up, you
know-fixed. Because She twisted her
/ fingers
Mrs. Maxtead sat very Still.
'Anna-come here
Anna moved reluctantly forward.
/; Sit down! II tires me 10 see peopls
stand"
Still reluctantly Anna drew forward 8
chair and obeyed. She trembled TO shake
off the fascination that was holding her.
To stand up and go; but she lacked the
t courage Of the act. She sat mute and
miserable.
Mrs. Maxteads voice broke in again
low silky, reasonable.
How long is it since you first came
here?"
In those nine weeks you have seen
more than you ever saw-learnt more
understood more?"
Anna nodded.
''And-this is not meanness, il is ne
cessIty; I want TO force a point. In
those nine weeks you have been given,
constantly given; you have never once
been asked 10 give Is that not sop
Anna flushed deeply.
| What do you want?'' she asked after
a pause.
Mrs. Maxtead smiled That is right!
Life should never be made harder than
il is For the moment. I want the small
gift Of your confidence"
The flush died slowly out Of Annals
face. She rose.
The other held out her hand. sit down
again; 1t is not so very terrible. A ques-
ton or two-that is all She leant for
ward. her face impressive, her lashez
lowered It was a bad omen for an OPP
pcnent when she hid her eyes. Her voice
had never been more smooth than when
she spoke again.
1T is not Tor yourself Anna. that you
No" Anna's tone was uneven and
dragged.
The other waited. Her next question
came in change Of key.
Your father is eccentric. You have
often said that he scarcely knows that
YOU exist. Am I right in that?"
Anna took q deem breath. For the frs
time the warmth and scent Of the room
seemed to SURROGATE. She made a gtea
effort
Yes. YOU are right
Mrs Maxtead's eye remained upon tn.
? fire
And you can tell me, candidly tell me
, that it is for a man who ignores you
that you refuse?" The voice was metal
mo" she SAID hurriedly; ut is not
? it Is not for him.
''Au! Mrs. Maxtead stirred ever g
, little. Then if is for the Austrian-th
man who stole my tewe1s?'
To Be Continued Next Sunday.