Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-02
CHAPTER NX.

Somehow or other that conversation
with Madge rankled. 1t had brought fc=th
in the words of another an idea which
Helen OhIstrom had been trying to hide
from her own thoughts; the idea that
Hardy Maxwell might be married man.
For the hundredth time she went over
all the possibilities that might prevent him
from communicating with her; but in spite
of herself she had to confess that only
two of them offered reasonable explana-
ton. He had met with an accident that
prevented him from writing, or he had
been trifling with her.
1t 1t were an accident and he was not
killed, he surely could not be uncon-
scious all this time, and she would be the
first person he would think Of on coming
TO himself. If he were killed, she would
have known of it somehow, surely.
She had heard of men that simply led
girls on, just to amuse themselves. Madge
had confessed to several experiences OF
that sort II Hardy Maxwell had been
trifling with her, why had he stopped when
he did? It must be because he was mar
ried man. and knew that she would newt
ably find it out in time through her rela-
tives in England. Whether he was married
or not, his conduct was certainly most
dishonorable IL he had simply dropped her,
as Madge insisted. She could not believe
it; he was so handsome and tall and
strong. she told herself, as If that were
sufficient answer to every doubt.
On Thursday morning she could bear the
uncertainty no longer. Putting on her
things, she went out with the idea of find
ing a telephone pay station and calling up
the club where the men in charge ought
to know something about Maxwell.
In answer to her question they were
sorry to say that they did not know any
Mr.. Maxwell there. Was he a member?
No? Only a visitor? Please wait mo-
ment.
There was no such name on the visitors
list Probably the lady was mistaken In
the name Of the club.
She did not think SO, but 1t might be pos
sibe. Goodby.
The result of here first inquiry was so
unexpected that Helen felt completely pros
trated. She went out into the air as
quickly as possible and tried to think what
TO do next. After walking about for nearly
an hour, she determined to try again, and
to telephone to Mr. Douglas.
Mr.. Douglas had gone abroad. Very
sorry.
After these two failures Helen did not
like to call up anyone else, and the only
one she could think Of was Mr. Hartley
He had known her father and it might be
awkward II he recognized her name. That
seemed the only hope left when she recol-
lected DR.. Ramie. How clearly all these
names came back to her! How sharply she
recalled that after-dinner story during hei
walk with Hardy Maxwell. How we'll ne
looked that day, and how admirably he hac
gazed at her as they kept step together
over the sand. And once, she remembered
he had walked so close to her that she
could feel the pressure OF his arm agains
her own. So vivid was the recollection
that she almost felt him still at her side
with her memory running back over th'
happy past she forgot all about the tele
phone until she had walked long way
Then she seemed TO awake as from
dream, and remembered the hard reality o
her errand. She stopped, turned back, ant
after finding convenient telephone, calle'
up Dr. Ramies office.
1t was not the doctors office hour. Il
would not be In again until late that even
ing.
There was nothing TO do now but to turi
TO Mr.. Hartley. She must find out some
, thing.
r "a lady on the phone, asking II you ar
? in" was james McBride's report, FEY
t minutes later.
Hartley almost jumped out of his chali
3 "a iadyg Asking for me? No, no! Te
her I'm not in town. Tell her I've Epn
l TO Europe - Florida 90 Bermuda 20 anythin
] you like. Say l won't be back this winter.
! Mcbride could not help smiling at IN
y eanestness Of the reputation OF the frs
call in a wOman's voice that he could reco
D lect having come over the telephone sine