The Washington herald., 1907-06-16

to Godfrey TO have grown older and
more lined. and there was a queer. worn.
almost faded look in the shrewd gray
eyes when he turned and faced him
again.
But now" he added. now you have
come. perhaps she may let you take
care Of her. l should have sent to you
If only I had known where TO find you.
She may go 10 you now. Perhaps you
can afford 20 take her away-abrOad,
where she Will have nothing to remind
her OF Fanshawe? Heaven knows, I'd
take her myself if she'd let me. but you
We're always before me; you came next
10 Fanshawe, old man.
Godfrey flinched. and he seemed TO see
again the scene in the muddy London
street with the diamonds flashing from
the miniature at her neck What did
that mean. except that Lord Fanshawe
still came first? But apparently North
had not see the locket-apparentl Bessie
had been loyal even in that, and hid
den H.
He sighed sharply,
I'll take care Of her" he said. huskily.
"Oh, yes, I can afford 10 take care Of
her-if she'll l.t me But why did she
run away? Why did she come here?'
North shook his head
Il can't make out. ." he said. but look
here's Bessie Merrill herself. Ask her.
You can trust her, Clavering. For a
wonder, she hasn't got that fop of
Barker at her heels I loathe that fell
low. and can't understand her She's so
loyal in one way, and so queer I'm an
other. Here she is Hullor'
Bessie crossed the road. apparently alb
sorbed I'm her own thought, with her head
bent and started violently at the sound
Of the doctors voice.
oh, how you made me Jump" she
said. There's nothing the matter with
Hetty, is there?"
She lifted her face to the light and
Godfrey saw IT as he had seen Il a fort
night before-brlght and alert, with fash
ing black eyes and red lips. But she
looked pale tonight, and DR.. North look
ed at her shrewdIy before he spoke.
You can't burn the candle at both
ends, he said. and you can't go sweet
hearting night after night. and doing
your work by day and nursing into the
bargain. You ought 10 have let me send
in nurse TO Hetty, as / wanted to in
the beginning
Hush She had caught sight OF Gpof.
frey standing In the shadow. and seized
the doctors arm in a sharp grip. Just
you STOP I'm all right. And some folks
ave habit of overheariug things some
times. She nodded In Geonreys direc-
ton and winked furiously.
Dr. North laughed
And I reckon IL won't matter II he.
has got into "a habit Of hearing things"
he said Don't you know who It is?'
She peered through the darkness. curl
ously ar Godfrey.
Geoffrey ClaYering" she cried shrilly
1T can't be-"
1T happens that il cam" said DR..
North, "and that it Is Godfrey right
enough-Geoffrev come hack Just lu the
nick OF time 10 befrieud Hetty and to
take her away IL strikes me. We must
manage It somehow-we must persuade
her 20 60 With him" he added IN a
whisper, for ne loved her and believes
in her. and there is no reason why he
shouldn't take her off and make her
happy-if she will only go"
Bessie lifted her head sharply.
'lt she viii only go" she repeated. and
then. Godfrey Clayer.ng, ! can't be-
lieve it, Ge0ffrey-come back" She
laughed a little. Then suddenly turned
to Dr. North. "Go-go and leave u.s."
she added I've got something 10 tell
important. Oh I'm glad
he's here"