The Washington times., 1906-10-14
CHAPTER v1II-icOntinued.l

CLOSELY might nave thought there was
something nervous about her anima-
ton. especially later on, when the talk
with the architec- was nearing its end
Helen's eyes haC once or twice wander
ed uneasily about th- room, and when
finally the II an rose 10 leave. she asked
him with a sudden desperate resolu-
ton 20 look over the rest of the rooms
and see what he thought of her sug-
gestions. The latter expressed himself
a. pleased to oblige her. but he would
probably have been somewhat chagrin-
ed had he known how llttle Helen
really attended TO his remarks. Her
mind was Ia "a wEIrl, and all that he
said sounded distant and vague. her
one wish was that he might stay and
give her time to think.
But Helen found the uselessness OF
shrinking. and the time came at last
when she saw In her despair that
there was no more 20 say, and that
the man must go. In a few minutes
more he was actually gone ana Sno
was LEFT all alone IN the sreaJ mousse
with MI Harrison
The two went back into the dining
room alone. where Mr. Harrison sJoou
leading his hand upon the table, ana
Helen stood In front of him, her lips
trembling Twice she made faint at
temDt 70 speak, and then she turned
and began pacing up AN down tle
room I'm agitation. Mr. Harrison was
watchiug her seeing that there was
something ON her miud. and also that
her emotion made her more beautiful
and more disturbing to him than ever.
At last Helen went and sat down
uDou sofa at one side, and clench-
ing her hands very tightly about her
knees. looked up at him and said. IN
faint voice. "I had something 70 say
10 you. Mr.. Harrison" Then she
stonped and her eyes fell, and her
breath came very hard,
What is ly, d5lrf' asked Mr. HaT-
risou. gently.
Aud HeIen's lips trembled more than
ever. and her voice sank sJill lower as
she said. IL don't know how TO be
gin"
The other was silent for a Few mo-
msrts more. after which he came
slowly across the room and sat down
beside her.
"Hslen." he said. II had something
TO say to YOU also suppose 1 say II
nrst?"
The girls chest was heaving pain
flIlIv. and her heart throhbed violently
but she gazed into his eyes. and smiled
and answered him Very well lie
took one of her burning hands In his,
and she made no resistance
.'Ffelen dear" ne said, "do you re-
member It was nearly week ago that
we stood IN this same room, and thaJ
you promised 70 be my wlfet You were
verv cold 10 me then. I have been
waiting patiently for YOU 20 change
little not venturing % say anything
FOR fear OF offending you. But IL is
very hard"
He had bent forward Pleadiugly, ana
his face was very close to hers, try
fnr- % read her heart. Perhaps It was
wen that he could not, for it would
have frightened him. The moment
was one OF fearful suffering for Helen,
though there was no sign of 1t. except
that she was trembling like leaf,
and that her HL5 were white. There
was Just a moment Of suspense, and
then with a cruel effort she mastered
herself and gazed up al the man, a
smile forcing itself 10 her lips again.
"What Is g. that you wish2' she
asked.
II want you to care for me-" the
other saId-"to love me just a little
Helen. viii you2'
IL think So" was the reply. IN
scarcely audible voice
And Mr.. Harrison pressed her hand
IN his and bent forward eagerly. Then
may kiss yc-. dcar?" he asked; you
will not mind2'
And Helen bowed her head and an
swered. No" In this same instant
as she sank forward, the man clasped
her In his arms; he pressed her upon
his bosom. and covered her cheeks
and forhead with his passionate, burn
ing kisses. Helen. crushed and help
less in hts grasp. felt revmsion or
feeling so sudden and so overwhelming
that lt was an agony to hs- and she
almost screamed aloud She was cnok-
ing and shudderlug. and her checks
were on fire, while iu the meantime
Mr. Harrison, almost beside himself
with passion. pressed her tighter to
him and poured out his protestatlona
of devotion. Helen bore it until she
was almost mad with the emotion that
had rushed over her. and then she
made q wild effort to tear herself free.
Her hair was dlsordered, and her face
red and her whole being thJobbed
with shame. but he suu held<her tu
his tight embrace.
"You are not angry, Helen dear?"
he asked.
.'No." the girl gasped
You told me that I might kiss
you" he said; and she was So chok-
ing with her emotion that she could
not answer word. she could only
ehuder and submit 20 his Will And
Mr. Harrison. suprosiug shat her emo
tious were very different from what
they were. resting her head upon his
shoulder. smoothing back her tangled
hair and whispering into her ear how
beautiful she was beyond any dream
of his. and how the present moment
was the happiest Of his lifetime.
ct thought fl would never come.
dear ne said. kissing her forehead
again. "you We're so very cold" Hell
en- had not yet ceased fighting the
fearful battle In her own heart. and
so so as ne looked into her she Sazed
up at him and forced another CHASTITY
smile TO her lips; they looked so very
beautiful that Mr.. Harrison kissed
them again end aeafn and he would