The Washington herald., 1907-06-16

| seemed TO have altered It looked as
clean. as bright as spruce as it had done
in the old days when Mrs. Merrill had
! been alive 20 keep IL nice, and II might
have been her hands still that arranged
the white curtains in the windows and
the geraniums in front of them. But #
was Bessie who looked after it now, Of
course. Godfrey drew a deep breath with
his eyes or the old attic window. A light
was burning behind the drawn blind and
a shadow moved across it as he looked.
a lodger, evidently, was occupying his old
room-perhaps even working in the same
mill and earning the same wages.
He gave the window a last look and
then turned away. As he did so the door
opened sharply and a man stood for a
moment outlined against the light
Godfrey recognized him with a start.
Il was Dr. North. He came out and
closed the door softly behind him, stand
ing for an instant in the little square
patch OF earth in front as if undecided
what 20 do
Geoffrey looked back and then stole up
to him.
North" he said. I'm a whisper.
The doctor started, and then peered at
him. When he recognized him he came
sharply out OF the small patch of garden
closing the little gate behind him. and
grasping Geoffrey's arms.
$50 you have come? She never thought
you would, never Thought you could find
her. and she's had such wild ideas in
her poor head, and such mad notions
about YOU. I'm glad you have traced
her and are here at last. We didn't know
where 10 find you, and we couldn't I'm
derstand what she said"
Godfrey stood quite still.
What do you mean?" he cried. "Who
are you speaking of?''
Why, HetJy Lancaster. Of course. She
told us you found her in London. and
that she ran away from you. and she
has been delirious with fever and saying
the widest. strangest things about you.
'Hetty. Hetty here. How did she
come? What does il mean? I have been
searching for her everywhere In London.
There Is a detective now keeping watch.
looking for her there. How did she get
here? When did she Gomez
A fortnight ago now Or. North an
swered "She arrived here late one
night, half dead with fever. and expos
ure, ana exhaustion. She came straight
TO Bessie Merrill. remembering. / sup
pose, thar Bessie had been one Of the
few people who had believed in her NJ
the time of her fathers death. and never
dreaming that she had changed. And.
thank heaven, Bessie has been loval
She took her init was late at night
when Hettv arrived. and she was wet
through and delirioUs theu-and she put
her straight TO bed in your old attic at
the top of the house, and there she has
been ever since"
GeOnrey looked up. So it was no
Iodger-no worker at the mill. but his
poor little Hetty who was occupying his
old room, He drew a deep breath. Thank
heaven he knew al last where she was
that she was safe.
Dr. North caught his arm again.
Bessie Merrill is true as steel" he
said She's a brick. Clavering. All this
time she has never let Hetty suspect that
she has altered her opinion about her
being innocent. She hasn't said a word
never let her know how she .has
and Hetty doesn't dream that
she is going ont with Barker, the law
yer's clerk night after night She has
nursed her as faithfully as though she
stiil believed in her. Poor Hetty, She
has gone through some hard times since
she left Oldcastle. Clavering"
Godfrey nodded
Yes, l know he replied The doctor
said so. l took her 70 my hotel when
1 found her"
''Ies-yes-she raved about that" DR.
North broke in. but I couldn't make it
out. She talked as if you were mil
lionaire and lived I'm a palace. and rat
tied about You and the King 7 suppose
sire has heard about the king coming
to Oldcastle next month. and has mixed
him up with you in her poor little head.
She has been delirious almost all the
time and now"
He broke of
Now" echoed Godfrey. eagerly. rs
she getting better-Eetting all right?"
DR. North hesitated, then shook his
head.
Il don't know" he said. I can't tell.
There is everything against her. To he
gin with, she is afraid Of being IN Old /
castle. I can't think what induced her
10 come for il is her constant terror /
lest she be recognized. Now that the
fever has left her, her only thought is /
to get away-not to be seen. Poor little I
girl"
He broke off. turning his sharp. rugged /
face toward the dark street It seemed |