The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-11-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
At Deaths Door


Enid had managed to get to her
room without attracting muci4 atten-
ton. Dare had waited for ,ner at the
gate and had silently drawn her hand
through his arm and led her back to
the house.
Once in her room, she crouched by
the fire to thaw her chilled limbs;
her teeth were chattering and her lips
trembling.
She felt thoroughly i'll. yet she was
determined to call all her strength to-
gether and leave Bromley within the
hour. She would only take such few
things as she had brought with her
when Dorothy had summoned her to
Weir Cottage, and her pictures and
brushes. She would leave all the
rest behind her. Dare's proposal of
love came to her mind as she bent to-
ward the fire, and pang of pity for
him thrilled her breast, but she never
Wavered in her intention.
Il do not love him, she said. Fl
will not marry him. could not"
AS she sat like this, trying to check
the shivering in her limbs and ease
the burning pain in her head, knock
came to the door.
She was in her studio, the room
where she had fought out so many
mind battles.
She turned her face from being
seen and ana led family: sCome
in"
The door aed and then was
shut
A vague, "a lordinary sensation
thrilled through the girls being.
Miss LESLEY said Geryais, in a
low voice. II have come to speak to
you about the-the words uttered
just now
He forced himself to speak coldly;
he must not let her see that he had
discovered her secret.
Yes" she answered, duly.
1T will be impossible for you to
leave Bromley tonight, and so I am
here to ask you to postpone your de-
parture till tomorrow or the next
day. II you go away hurriedly there
will be scandal, and we must avoid
that at all risk"
@I-I prefer to go at once" Enid
said, with all the tirmness she could
command.
And wish you to stay. Surely,
after all you have done, you might
consider this small wish of mine! !"
Gervais had his arms crossed over
his breast; the sight of that fragile
girl, with her wan, wistful face and
rufied, red-brown hair, sent a pang
to the heart that lay quivering and
aching in his breast. She was drawn
closer to him by her very frailness,
yet he was compelled to crush all
sympathy, all tenderness. You will
do this. please?" he said in cold. hard
tones.
Enid rose to her feet and half-stag-
gered.
His arms went hurriedly to help
her, then dropped by his side again.
I'll feel SO i'll that I must do as
you ask. I" Enid whispered, as she fell
rather than sunk into a big arm
chair.
For two days wish you to remain
at Bromley: you understand" Ger
vais walked toward the door. @Give
me your promise to stay" he said,
hurriedly. Admiration, pity. SYM
pathy crowded in with his blank des-
pair and hopeless misery. Even at
this black moment he could not for
get her brave sacrifice, nor withhold
his tribute to her generous love; but
beyond that was nothing but torture
horrible. maddening torture-that
clamored at his heart and would not
be stilled.
Enid closed her eyes and rested
back in the chair. At promise" she
whispered; then, as he went, she gave
one little moan and tainted dead
away.
Gervais paced the floor of his room
at London hotel and tried to think,
reason and hope, but all to no effect.
His last glimpse of Dorothy had been
the greatest witness against her; her
white face, her sudden alarm and agi-
tation. all spoke Of the existence of
some secret, whether a guilty one or
no the morning would prove. for he
was going to interview this man, Jim
Coates, and get at the truth for him
self without delay. Little did Ger
yais think, as he walked to and fro,
that all the painful explanations that
presented themselves to his mind
must fall far short of the real one.
He had come away without a valet.
and had brought only change of
linen with him so as to prevent any
remark. and had gone to strange
hotel out Of the beat OF the West End.
Early morning saw him out on the
dreary streets. The snow that had
made the country SO pure had become
heavy slush, except At the sides Of the