The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-14
CHAPTER XXXV.


man fairly staggered Hilda. To
think that he should have the
face 70 make such q claim to
her-to her. the victim and sufferer
from his infamous conduct!
She could only stare at him in amaze
ment, wondering meanwhile what sort
Of a brain he imagined could be i'm
posed upon by such a declaration.
Yes he asserted, and she could not
help recognize a certain sincerity IN
his manner, Il meant fairly by you
Hilda, though I cannot blame you
for believing otherwise. Some mahg-
nant fate seemed to dog my footsteps
that night, and perVeTt my most
straightforward intentions into proofs
and vet I was not exactly straight
with YOU either" he admitted mo-
I was not straight with you, when 1
coaxed you to run away from nome,
for l had no intention then or OneTlng
YOU marriage. AT that time 1t was my
purpose 10 marry my cousin in order TO
get her fortune. and had lald all my
plans TO such a contamination. but
when you had come with me, ana 1 saw
how sweet and good and pure you We're
and felt the JOY Of having you depend
on me for vare and protection 1 re-
penfed. l swOre 10 myself j would not
marry a woman / did not love, buI InaI
You and you alone should be my bride,
no matter what the consequences.
You always had a wonderful IN
fuence for good upon me when L was
with you, Hilda,' he commented nall
rnusingly. I feel il even now.
Not strong enough an influence 70
make you hold 10 your good resolu-
tons ~ that instance however, she
scoffed, with a curl Of her lip at MS
sentimental tone.
sBut I did hold 10 them, The insisted.
1T was the circumstances when palhed
me I tell you, not my VIII.
You remember the night 1t was, OF
course2 Blowing, showing, hallngs
raining-al kinds OF Weather ian
yOu imagine, then, now dIIicult II
might be for a man TO make arrange
ments for wedding at such time,
no matter bow much his heart might
"Ahr' She shook her head. But the
weather will not excuse the rest OF
efforts TO drag me back by main force
when 7 fed. the blow you struck me-
and my abandonment
mo" he granted, the weather viii
not excuse those things; IN fact, moth
ing will excuse them. But there are
facts which can at least be pleaded IN
mitigation.
Il took you 10 the place I did be-
cause, despite the reputation or the
house, I knew you would be perfectly
safe there. and your coming much less
apt to cause remark or scandal than
If I had taken you TO a hrst-class
hotel I was pretty well known ABOUT
NaW York at the time you must un-
aerstand. ana ms appearance with so
young and pretty girl Ia charge might
have given rise to undesirable COM
ment. Besides, ] had no idea what
your stepfather was going TO DO, and
I deemed IL wise TO put you where he
would not readily ind you / was not
seeking newspaper nOtOrieIy In the
matter, as YOU may imagine.
Unfortunately for my plans, though,
from a chance remark addressed TO me
bv the clerk. Had you waited q min
ute, YOU would have seen that clerk
spraWled on the floor from q good
right-hander that drove right into the
But you did not wait You ran in
, panic down the street. and that mallgn
fate again getting in its work, brought
you just as ! overlook you tO-Of all
houses on that block-the prim and
dlgnihed one where I was then board
ing
Il tried 70 reason with you, to induce
you 10 60 back TO the hotel or any
where else YOU might name; but you
yCu except 10 appeal for protection az
the door befor- which We stood
II caught hold Of you and strove 10
detain YOU Uutil 7 could explain the
ing loose from my grasp. ran up the
steps In an instant. I was after you,
reaching you just as you stretched out
your hand for the bell. I clutchei wild
IS at you with both arms but at the
same moment you sWeTVed from my
right hand and banged your temple
EQuarelv against my OutstTetched left.
You gave one sasp, then crumpled up.
and fell IN heap on the door step.
Almost beside myself at the sight
not knowing how seriously you might
BE- injured ray FIRST thought was 10 get
assistance. ] realized that IL was no
use 70 rouse up the boarding house.
would simply SCI all the OLD maids into
a furore without getting any practical
aid. Then I happened 10 think OF a doc
tor friend Of mine whose Ofhce was only
two blocks away, and, leaving you
there, 7 dashed of pell-melI 20 get him
At the corner 7 passed a man I after
ward learned was Graham. although ]
did not recognize him AT the time Had
I done 50, the affair would have had a
very different termination. but unfo~-
tunately. I tore by him. raced on 70
the doctors. only 10 find him out. and
few back 80 discover YOU were gone.
'Then / was iu q panic. I can assure
YOU. I knew YOU were without friends
IN tie city or any place TO stop, and ]
pictured all sorts Of horrible things as
happening 10 YOU
what I mieht have dora IN my ap-
prehensiou and excitement T am unable
r. ten Vou- but as / was hesttating
whether 20 send In general alarm 10
the police or 10 conduct the search for
you on my own hook. the thought suE-
EeSted itself that BIZ examining your
tracks in the snow on the steps ! could
tel which direction you had taken.
1T required bat one match 10 tell ne
the entire story A man had gathsred
You up and token you WI hin. and since
the number Of mcn IN nc house who
could be expected 10 stay ont 50 late