The Washington times., 1909-07-01
CHAPTER TX.
NO ONE THE WISER?

no discovery had been made OF
III secret he was maintaining
under Miss Bowen's blameless
roof.
Were it otherwise, the landiady. whose
door. left open into the hail, allowed
none of the mornings or outgolngs OF
her guests TO remain unknown 10 her
vvould undoubtedly have overhauieo MN
upon his entrance; or had she by some
rara chance been out, his stanch any,
Della. the maid, would have been on
hand to give hisa timely warning
Nevertheless. his heart was beating
fast with anxiety, as he paused before
the door OF the room, and cautiously
gave the prearranged signal
There was a brief interval of waiting
an interval which seemed endless TO
hin-then the bolt was hesitatingly
uithdrawn, and the key turned in the
lock.
stepping inside Bob could at first
make out nothing but the girls dim
outline in the shadowy dusk Of the
APARTMENT: but when he had drawn the
curtains and turned on the gas. he saw
Mainly that she had been crying.
Poor little thing he murmured, gen
Nv. moved to sudden pity by the sight
of her tear-stained pathetic face. 1t
has been a trying day for you. hasn't
ftr'
She pressed her handkerchief hurried
" to her eyes. and strove 10 compose
the auivering of her lips.
"Oh. Mr.. Graham she cried, don't
think me ungrateful. but It has been
almost unbearable. didn't care 10
move about or stir I didn't dare 10 go
near the windows, ] didn't even dare lie
down. for fear I might fan asleep ana
scream in a nightmare. ] couldn't IN
terest myself in any o. the DOCKS OF
magazines: all I could do was sit with
fol5ad hands and think. shuddering in
terror every time any one passed by IN
the hall.
And then the loneliness" she sob
he'd. 1.-The dreadful loneliness. while 1
watched the hands Of the clock drag
around. and every hour seemed an
eternity.
Il was like a child when It began to
get dark. 1t was O'Clock. and you
said you would be back BY that time
Suppose you did not come al al?
imagined all sorts OF terrible accidents
had happened TO you What was TO be-
come of me. without your help md pro-
lection?
what Is 10 become OF me anyway"
she broke on. despairingly. Il cant
stay here TO endure another such day of
solitude and fear. Better beg in the
streets, OF even throw myself IN the
river Oh. don't think me ungrateful,
Mr.. Graham. but couldn't stand an
other day Of it. u
She was becoming hysterical, her
voice rising and her 5rail form shaking
with emotion; and Graham saw that ii
was time 20 Teassure her.
There. there" ne said, you wiz not
have to stay here another hour. have
good news for you.
"Good news2 she asked, her eyes
lighting up.
self, apt TO think when things go a bit
wrong that they VIII never right them
selves again; but somehow they al
ways do. You should remember that II
IS always darkest just before the dawn. %
Yes Yest she cried impatiently.
BIS what is your good news2 Don't
keep me in suspense. 1t can't be that
Graham's face grew dark. eThe less
said about your father, my dear, the
better. No, my news is simply that
have been able TO secure you posi-
a position With salary?" she
asked.
In afraid you'll think it's pretty small
It's only SO a week 20 start on with
but
Twelve dollars week. she gasped
do YOU really mean it2 Why, yOJ
said only this morning th3t / could
earn nothing. Oh,"-With sudden ap.
prehensiOn-'do you suppose I can hold
TT"
element. I guess there Is no dOub
about that" he assured her. "All ina
IS required is leEiDle handwriting and q
reasonable amount of system. You vii
have to"
But she was no longer listening
"Twelve dollars week. She wal
Fnuruuring happily. Il shall not hav,
% starve or depend on charity. aftel
al. / can support myself, 1 can sup
4 port myselfi'
It was wonderful the change which
his announcement had wrought ina he