Evening star., 1908-01-19
CHAPTER XVII.
ATLANTA JOURNAL

rs old Mr.. Wright worse" Martha
called downstairs. when the doctor let
himself in at midnight.
No.
We'll. where on earth have You been? +
Mrs King demanded. She was leaning
over the banisters in her gray flannel
dressing gown. her candle. in lis hooded
csndlestick. throwing "A fickering light on
her squire. anxious face.
William. locking the front door. made
no answer. Martha hesitsted and then
came downst airs.
Il must say William. fatty aud frank
lyNthat YOU. she paused You look
tired out. WHY
William. fumbling with the guard thain.
was silent.
Come into the dining room and I'll
get you something to eat, said his wife
II don't want anything 10 eat"
Martha glanced at him keenly. His
face was white and haggard. and though
lie looked at her. he did not seem to see
her. when she said again sonnet hing about
food. he made no answer. Why. VIII
liam'' she said. I'm a fright ened voice.
Then with quick common sense she put
her alarm, behind her. Come upstairs
and 20 to bed. 4 good nights sleep will
make new man OF YOU And in q sort
Of cheerful silence che pushed him along
in front of her She asked no more aues-
tions. but just as he got into bed she
brought him steaming tunb'er Of
whieky and water. j guess Spi have
taken little cold my dear" she said.
William looked at her dumbiy. then
realizing that tlsEe was no escape. drank
his whisky, while Martha. her candle in
capable hand, waited 10 make sure
that he drained the last drop When he
gave the glass back TO her she touched
his shoulder gently and bade him go TO
sleep As she turned away Ire caught
that capable hand and held it IN both of
bis for moment.
Martha" he said II beg your pardon.
oh. WELL said Martha. 'of course, a
doctor often has to be out late. II yo,
only don't come down with q cold on YOUR
lungs. it's all right
II sha'nf come down with a cold on my
lungs" said William King.
The letter Helena wrote Lloyd Pryor
after she had picked herself UP, Sobbing
from the floor. had no diplomacy about IT.
Things had happened: she would not sc
into them now. she said but things had
happened which made her feel that she
must accept his offer 10 carry out their
original plan. When ] got your letter
last week. did hesitate" she wrote. be
cause could not help seeing that you did
not feel about II as YOU used to. But
can't hesitate any longer. ] must ash
Lloyd Pryor read as far Is that and SCI
his teeth. Lloyd. nv friend he said
aloud: II appears you have got to pay
IN. piper
swearing quietly To nlnStii lie tore Ins
letter into many small pieces and threw
them into the fire. Well lie said, grim
Is. Il have never repudiateG yet: but
propose To claim my ninety days-if
can't squeeze out OF IL before that" III,
sat long time in his inner of,ic-, think
Ing the thing over; If 1t had 10 be, if tn
piper was inexorable If h could no
squeeze out. how should ne safeguar,
Alice? OF coursa. girl of nineteen i
bound to resent her fathers second mar
riage: her annoyanca and little temper
Lloyd Pryor could put up with. il oni.
she need never know the truth. But hov
should the truth BE- covered? The.
could all three go To Europe for year
II there was going to be any gossip--an'
really the chance of gossip Was rathe
remote: very few people had known any
thing about Frederick Richie or his al
fairs. and Helena Lad absolutely no rela
tives-but II they went To- Europe for "
year. any nine days wonder would hav
subsided before they got back. As 20
the ofensiveness Of presenting Helena
his daughter stepmother. Pryo
WINGED but admitted with ccld I'm
partiaIity that she was not intrinsica IL
Objectionable. 1t was only the idea whic
was unpleasant In fact, If things wti
not as they were. she would make an ad
mirable stepmother-"and she Is goe