, 1911-11-16

secretary. 81 hin If you'n get me that
letter u of the safe I'll take the next
train for New York"
The o seemed to be ~darkening.
She made Il few steps toward the safe.
tottered and fell upon the divan. With
a long shudder that relaxed all her
young limbs her senses left her.
"Poor little woman, she's been work
ing too hard. l ought to ave thought"
Temple rang the bell for Mrs. Mason.
then BEN above her in a tender alb
sorption, speaking to her as he might
have spoken to a child, calling her.
comforting and rousing her, His deep
voice had an ~enchanter's sweetness.
and gradually it wooed her back to
life. She did not know what he was
saying to her, but she responded. Her
white lids futtered: she moved; a deep
sigh lifted her breast.
At that moment the door in Mrs. Ma
sons hand escaped her and swung to.
"Mrs. Mason. is hat your" said Tenn
pie, without looking around. "WMl you
come here? Poor child, I'm afraid she
needs your care"
Aim fhiSfi htlStll ny uh iloI IlCi
first half conscious impulse was to
throw herself into the arms of the
woman standing by her. Then as she
perceived Mrs. Mason clearly. as her
reason came back and her gaze stead
led, the impulse died.
THAT was n dowdy sort of thing to
do" said b alphabetically, with a
faint smile. She rose to her feet.
Did | turn up my eyes to heaven.
wabble once and overwhelm you. Mr..
Temple? w" seen 1t done like that
on the stage: it looks melodramatic,
I'm sorry" She was talking frivo,
lousy against the awful blackness OF
despair in the background of her mood
"Now, Mrs. Mason Temple said
with big kindness, help Miss Dale
to her room. lock her in II need be
and don't let her show her face unit
tomorrow at noon. Strict orders, you
understand he added smilingly
she's overworkcd. oh. and Miss Dale
I'm SO sorry TO trouble you. but jus
one moment before you go. WoulG
you mind giving me that combination
so that | can jot it DOWN. Suitini
tiN "''i' ~ 'N "oiNHs III NV W
n book of memoranda.
"T'- In very bewildered. pathcti,
fashion Anna Granger's hands wen
up to her heavy masses of hair. IT.
my dizzy. dizzy head Mr. Temple.
said she. Tim afraid | can't re
member the combination just now"
"Well. never mind" returned IN
gently. There's II later train | cal
take. and when f. comes to you jus
send 1t down by Mrs. Mason. Goo,
evening. and sleep well tonight. Nv,
lots to say to you tomorrow. Mis-
Dale" he called after them in down
months had been lifted. and he wa
coming 10 his own again.
Once in the privacy of her own ROOF
Anna told Mrs. Mason. everything. Sh
sat there now. twisting and untwistinI
her hands in silence. her face yer,
white, her pupils wide and black.
And now" she began mgain duly
II shall have to go before the ma.
I have wrouged and make my awfu
confession. ! shall have to face tn
first big look of lncredulity sweepin
over him; then the tightening of hi
lion lips and lastly. perhaps. the pit
of his eyes. oh. | can't. l can't.
W knew before that | vas n COW
ard. But am. | ann
anyhow, dcarie.' ventured MIR.
Mason. you've done your duty towar
your chi,dren-you have cleared the
lame"
Not really | haven't. not really an
truly. Why. Mrs. Mason. I've just tol
you their fathers guilty-guilty a
hell! And to think l shall have to z
back again to Westfield and take u
my life with that man. Her brow
twitched and she trembled.
Yes" pursued the stern old Pur
tan who. because of n peculiar twis
of conscience. could see the matte
? only from one side. Its the del
you owe the boys. Anna. No woma
has II right 10 give helnless soul
: ITO be Continued.)