The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-06
SHADES OF THE PAST

simply bent her head farther down and
maintained a stubborn silence.
You dare not tell, chr went on
Graham, steTnly. The hound no DOUBT
has threatened you with all kinds OF
direful penalties in case you betray
him2 Well, you don't need to speak
believe I can guess for myself pretty
close to what ne said"
"Oh. no, not" she protested, trying 20
cover his lips with her hand. You
mustn't say IL! You mustn't even try
to guess!"
but 1 must. and I VIII" insisted
Graham, resolutely. He told you, ola
he not. that it was entirely in his hands
as TO whether or not your father were
sent TO the penlten1ary; That he held
paper which is the only thing in exist
enee that can clear your Iather, ah9
that the only terms on which we would
agree to produce II we're that you should
throw me over and marry him instead?
And he also told you, did he not,
with a fash of added enlightenment,
that unless you agreed to his PROPOSE
ton, or If you as much as limited of the
matter TO your father or me, he would
destroy the paper and deny he had ever
spoken to you, and then nothing on
earth could save dad from going behind
NOW" he went on. drawing her clos
er 10 him, II won't ask you TO affirm
or deny a word of all this. ] know IL
is true without having &c be tOld. But
/ wiz say one thing TO you, darling
Never let q coward or bully blum you.
Never let the threats of such person
swerve you from course you know 20
be right.
You know Il is right TO marry me as
you have promised to do. Then, as I
suggested last night. let Us go to a
clergyman without delay. right nov, in
fact and have the knot tied That viii
be the best answer you can return 10
WarW lexis brag and buster
Gone. Gladys" he urged Don't
you trust me enough TO believe me
when I say. 1t is the very best thing
YOU can do for yourself and me- and for
your father. tooT"
Almost. persuaded by the ardor OF his
appeal she got up as he arose TO his
feet ana stood with her hands upon his
SHOULDERS, her face upturned TO his,
4 hopeful, TRANSPORTED.
Then he saw the shadow Of doubt and
apprehension steal again into her eyes,
and her glance dropped.
Tell me the truth, Robert" she fall
tered. Can my father be saved in any
way but by the production of that
paper2'
lie scorned to give her any less than
a straight answer. II do not know"
he said simply. III there is a way, you
may trust me 10 md it out; but in
fairness L can only tell you at present
see none.
STILL" he went on passionately.
'even so, your father would be the last
person TO counsel you TO su,h sacri-
mission to Warwick's intfmidation and
threats
1T is not question of what my
father would advise she stayed him.
ut is a question of what you Can offer,
and that as 1 understand IT. is nothing
but vague hope. a chance thai
NO, you are wrong" he broke in
passiOnately. What 1 offer you IS
night fight, with all that is best in
me Up in aTms-heart, soul, brain, and
miEC-because I know that 1 am bat
{ a toe
And that is the kind of fight that viii
Win-win. I tell you. over all the
schemes that your blackmafiing scoun-
drel of a cousin can hatchi
why, listen. Gladys" he cried. ''an
hour ago. was as deep In spirits over
this affair as you are. now-in per-
feet slough Of despond seeing 10 way
out-and then little HiIda breatned thai
/ one word, fight into my ear, and Il
has nerved me up so that now feel
/ cannot fall"
The glance. which hat been lifted to
/ his again under the spell OF his elo-
| step.
"Hilda?' she said coldIy. 10 you
mean that woman down at your Officer
Yes, Hilda Montgomery, my private
| secretary and general right hand man. =
! And does she" frowntng, know AL
about this, AFFAIR."" I mean. papa 5
/ all the rest Of it2"
Certainly. she does
| But do you really think that is wise.
| Robert2' The frown became more pro-
/ nOunCed- IN such an important mat
! ter, there should be no chance for a hint
4 Of your real weakness 10 leak out. and
/ who can say what girl Of that sort
/ might not"
! why, what utter folly, Gladys he
1 interrupted impatientIy. al woui4 trust
/ Hilda as far as 1 would trust myself.
4 She IS .he MIST loyal woman that
! ever drew the breath of lifer'
/ Yet, ~ had but known II HfIda
| was at that very moment entering the
/ apartments OF his arch-enemy. William
1 Warwick
| The Continuation of This Story VIII
Be Found in TomOrrOv's EdI-
ton OF The Times.