The Washington times., 1906-07-08

educated, moderately well-to-dO,
but nevertheless she was a born
free lance. Still she would not have
been a woman had she not been
contradictory, therefore when she
threw her cap over the mill, she
was so careful as to the time and
place Of the throwing that she was
quite unsupported at her own home
in West sOOth street, where she
lived in quiet dignity and courteous
reserve; and as nothing seems so
respectable as economy she rented
one floor OF her house TO widow
and her daughter, and thus relieved
herself of the greatest part OF the
former espionage of the neighbors.
The man IN the case was forty
eight, married and highly respect
ed. He was a partner IN an import
ing house, doing business with
Switzerland, but his finger was in
many other pies, as was proven by
the plums he drew forth every now
and then, and invariably shared
with his friend, Helene. There was
no legal bond between them-no
solemn VOW taken before the altar
made loyalty to him a duty. There
had been no extravagant sentiment
between them, but they had been
good friends, close companions, for
several years, and he had been in
variably kind. invariably generous.
and she was grateful, though she
was wise not TO say so. And every
morning on his way TO business the
staid, eye-glassed, serious gentle
man called for a few moments IN
West sOoth street, and every even
ing. on the way TO dinner. he left
book or box Of sweets or a bunch
Of hovers-rarely entering but like
as the clock for regularity were the
appearance Of Marcus Miller. Most
people took him for c doctor and
Mrs. Hartley often appeared at the
window with white handa"ed brows
20 encourage the idea.
Then suddenly the papers were
filed with business scandals. In
vestigations and examinations were
made of this firms books end that
firms discharged clerks. Suspicion
was in the air-mad speculation be-
came absolutely yirtuous in com
parison with the methods used by
some prominent men to secure the
mighty dollar. Mr.. Marcus Miller
became curiously nervous. He had
agonizing headaches, and shifted
eagerly at strong smelling salts.
Once he terrified Mrs. Hartley by
leaning back in chair and allow
ing the tears TO run silently down
his cheeks, but he only said as he
rose 10 gei I'm sorry, Helene, l
shall not re able to bring you are
sapphire ring l promised for your
birthday. tomorrow, but later, !
-er-" but he could not finish, and
he left her without another word.
81 wonder what the trouble is?"
said the woman to herself. IF !
were his wife I could ask, but /
have no right to his confidence un-
less he volunteers It," and she
sighed
The wind was very boisterous
that night and fierce gusts of rain
dashed against the windows, now
and again That was why at about
half-past ] o'clock she paid no heed
TO the faint ringing of the dor
bell. Again-yes, a third time!
Good heavens, who could be ring
ing at that unholy hour? She was
frightened. She thought she
would creep cautiously up stairs
and wake her maid 10 go TO the
door with her. As she neared the
foot of the stairs. very family she
heard her own name breathed at
the door: Helene. Kleine, Hell
ene!"
She went over and almost whis-
pered: "Who IS there?"
The answer came: Marcus.
quick, open!" and the next moment
she was softly turning the key
and opening the door to the man
who was fattened against it. He
was wet-he was ghastly. He car
ried a large package beneath his
arm. He reached up and turned
out the bead of gas burning in the
hall-entered her oom--carefullv
locked the door, then turned to
her and said:
81 haven't got any claim on You
-you owe me nothing; I'm simply
throwing myself on your mercy.
Helene, my dear, YOU are the only
person under heaven. standing he
tween me and the penitenti0ry,
His voice died into silence. Mrs.
Hartley braced her shoulders back
and answered, steadily:
Then. if need be. I'll go on
.