The Washington times., 1909-06-28
CHAPTER I.
AT THREE O'CLOCK.

fumbling IN his pocket for bis night key.
Then. recovering somewhat from his
first surprise. he bent over to make an
examination
Even in the imperfect light of the arc
lamp at the corner, he recognized at a
glance that his first impression was
wrong.
This was no derelict of the streets,
:. who had succumbed either To drink or
starvation. There was here no haunt-
ing of fnery, nor even the rags OF
restitution
Graham's eye took in the little toque
oil marabou feathers with its bunch of
forget-me-ncts at the side. the Persian
lamb coat with braided trimming. the
smart gloves AID boots. and the other
details of what he realized-mere man,
though he was-was a refined and mod
ish costume
pale. delicate face he saw, too-a
face framed with fair. waving hair. He
noted the exquisitely chiseled features,
and the spirituelIe brow.
Moreover, as, still skeptical he
stopped closer TO catch the trace of
liquor, he was conscious of 2 faint, sub
lie perfume which reminded him Of the
fragrance OF spring wildfiowers, and dis
PEELED all remaining doubts.
by Jove, she s Iadyl' he CALCULATED.
Then he peered at the form before him
once more. A thin, dark stain trickled
over the snow beside her head. and
sudden fear elutehed him.
He lifted her limp arm and felt with
hurried fingers for the pulse of her slen-
der wrist, bent an eager ear to listen 10
her breathing and. turning her head
slightly TO one side, looked for the cause
OF the stain in the snow.
He found it was from small cut
hack Of the temple and under the waves
of hair Just above her ear the tender
flesh was swollen and confused.
A lawyer himself, Graham came Of
a family Of physicians, and with this
hereditary instinct to guide him his
hasty examination speedily convinced
him that there was nothing serious the
matter.
The girl-for she could not be over 20,
he deeided-was merely stunned or in a
swoon-
May have fallen and done this" he
eonjectured. pressing a handful OF wet
snow TO the bruise at the side of her
head: but I'll swear # looks more 70
me ike a blow from fist. with a ring
making this little jagged scratch.
were proved correct an instant later;
for under his ministrations sigh broke
from the parted lips. the blue-veined
eyelids slowly fiuttered upward and bis
patient struggled 10 one elbow.
At the same time she threw her free
arm in front of her face and pleaded in
piteous terror
Don't strike me again. Please don't
Graham's bTows met IN a quick scowI
The idea OF anybody raising hand
against this tinid, Shrinking creaturei
Where was the brute who had done it,
He remembered now that man had
passed him hurTiedly as he swunS
around the corner ard headed lcF MS
own doorstep. fastening home he mad
paid small heed TO the incident ut the
moment; but he recalled that the fellow
had turned suspiciOusiy out of the path
and had lowered his umbrella, as though
10 screen his face.
Without a doubt this had been the
girls asssila II. but IL was idle 10 think
OF pursuing aim now. he had the adj
vantage Of a fUll I'VE minutes start.
Graham turned again 10 the hapless
victim upon his steps
no one IS going 70 strike sou again.
nc assured her. Come. YOU must not
lie here. IN This wet snow. See If you
can't get up"
h spoke a shade grufny, for the
lump OF indignation raised in lis throat
BY her pathetic entreaty was not dis
PEELED. but she must have recognized
degree Of soIicitude in his tone, since
she Withdrew the arm she nsd lifted 70
shield herself and ceased her sobDing-
She still crOuched upon the step, how
ever, gazing UP at Graham with a 6aZ-
ed. beWiidered expression
Come see If YOU can't get up he
repeated, and AZ last. with his assist
Rnces she managed 10 staEger weakly
10 her feet, although she WAS only sus-
tained there by the firm clutch he kept
upon her arm.
Indeed, for 9 moment Graham thought
she had tainted again, for she sWaVed
heavily against him. her big violet eyes
closing and PR head dropping TO his
shoulder.
He Strengthened his hold upon her
arm, and sue reused with quick
shudder of apprehension
Where Is hep she gasped wildly.
sIs he coming back2'
"No, no" Graham treasured her.
You need have no further fear of
him. &c is making himself scarce,
fancy. but even if he should come
back, I promise you that he'll not in
terfere with YOU
Graham's tone. as well as a siEnifi-
cant Tightening OF his biceps. was al
most an indica ton that he wished the
culprit would return.
'The question now is, what 10 do
with vou2" he went on half 20 him
self glancing out from their shelter
toward the storm swept street, and
then back at the drenched, shivering
form at his side. do you live any
where in this neighborh0od2"
mo, she answered. ~ am from
SMontciair"' he exclaimed. Surely
you are not thinking Of going away
out there tonight
No. she faltered. NO, / am never
going back to Montclair' Then in a
sudden burst Of confession: II ran
away from home to get married
against their wishes. They told me
81 left I need never return"
~Then this man who struck you is
your husband
She gave a little cry Of protest
when I met him this evening" she
sobbed ErOkeniy, che told me 10 was
too late 20 get a license tonight, and
we would have 70 wait until morn
ing.
"Ahr' Graham began 10 compre-
heud
Then" she went on. unheeding the
interruption, we had dinner az a res
taurant and afterward ne said he would
take me 10 a hotel. We went TO the
Argandia.
AM again CALCULATED Graham.
The block upon which he lived was
one OF ultra rcspcctaDiiity. but just be-
yond the street degenerated IN quality.
and the hotel she had named bore de-
cidedely furnished reputation
and then-and then. her head sank