The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-29
CHAPTER ".
THE FELLOW BOARDER


IN THE realization of his terrifying
predieament. Graham saw his ca
--reer blasted, his name dragged into
unenviable notoTiety. himself ar
raigued upon the charge of murder,
tried. and possibly condemned TO the
electric chair.
All this he had brought upon himself
by his phosphate philanthropy. Why
could he not have been prudent and
discreet, and called a policeman to take
affairs2
He. groaned aloud in his dazed agony.
great beads OF perspiration breaking
out upon his brow.
Would anyone believe his protesta-
lions of innocence, he asked himself
wildly. with nothing out his own inn
probable story to explain the presence
of the dead woman in his room?
he knew just how much credence he
himself would give 10 so palpably ficti-
No. il was idle to deceive himself
Reputation, prospects, al were gone,
and with the rest whatever chance he
might have had OF winning Gladys
But either this suggestion. or the re-
action from his first numbed horror
reused him 10 sudden action
He caught the girl by the shoulders
as though 70 stir her back by main
Nforce 10 life. With shaking hand he
thrust the flash of liquor TO her lips,
and poured generous quantity down
her throat.
And whether it was his heroic meas
ures, or simply the passing of the
swoons the CHASTITY risidity of her fea-
lures relaxed, she chOked stranglingly
over the nery stimulant, then with ar
uncertain movement opened her violet
eyes, and. after what seemed an inter-
minable interval. sat up.
For a moment she Eazed about in a
bewildered doze, evidently not cOnprc-
hending where she was. but her glance
took in the pipes upon the table, the
smoking jacket hanging across the back
or chair the essentially mannish
character Of the room.
What Is this placer she demanded
Your own rOom2"
why. yes" stammered Graham,
hardly recovered from his relief at her
restoration, and completely taken abaclo
at this surprising show Of vigor. WHY,
yes; but let me explain.
In his ccnfusion he caught at the
shoes and stockings she was holding
with some sort of vague idea Of hang
ing them before the fire TO dry; but the
elrl snatehed them back with a sharp
exclamation, and sprang TO her feet
Don't you dare touch met she cried,
drawing herself up like a creature al
bay. Don't you dare interfere with me.
am going to leave this place at once,
scream for help!"
She meant It. too. In spite OF his
blameless conscience Graham recoiled
the determined set to her lips
II was a contingency that taxed his
Ingenuity. He was loath as ever to let
this homeless girl face again she stormy
night, especially under s5lch a misint err
probation of his motives. On the other
hand, II must be confessed, the prospect
OF having the household summoned
there by woman's shriu shrieks TO
find him IN so compromising a situation
was one from which ne distinctly
quailed,
While he hesitated uncertain what 10
do or say natIre Strengthened out the
difficulty for liin. The fictitious strength
which had been sustaining his COM
Eanion suddenly gave way and she sank
GOWN upon the couch weak and trem-
bling and hid her face in her hands
With a compassionate impulse era
ham stepped toward her and laid a hand
gently upon her bowed shoulder.
Look here, he saids Il only want
70 help you. I am man and I've got
a sister OF my own, and if she were In
your TX right now ] couldn't mean to
do more for her than I want 10 do for
you"
Impressed in spite Of herself by the
earnestness with which he spoke the
girl ceased her sObbing and turned her
vide eyes upon him IN a glance of
doubling scrutiny.
why. then. did you bring me here?"
she demanded No, no, j cannot be-
lieve that you are dealing honestly with
me. II you were. YOU would have taken
me 70 the sister Of whom you speak. 80
Ny sister? exclaimed Crab
why she lives $50 miles from here
On. see he suddenly comprehended,
you think this house is my home, en- ?
Vel. il isn't. This is merely nv board
ing place"
"a boarding house?'' she cried Then
7 Insist that you place me under the
protection OF the iandlady at once.
That I should think with plainly re-
awakened suspicion, would have been
the first thing TO suggest itself 70 you"