The Washington herald., 1912-11-10

~ - y 81
in ! few minutes, Peggy. Really. m.
dear. you must rest" And she swep
out y,
Peegy sank into = chair and presses
her elenehed hands to her bosom.
"Oh, how cruel It isw she moaned
hopelessly. "They have struck an tn,
joy out Of my MeI feel as il the,
had burnt that damning letter in scar
let on my breast! Am guilty Be
cause I cannot prove ! am innocent"
Pauline knelt beside her and put hei
arms around the girl.
MY mingon! You must rest, res! /!
she insisted, with gentle firmness. "Yot
will break my heart If you 60 on liks
this! You are innocentI will STAKE
my soul on that! Waiti Wait unit
tomorrow she added, grimly. q
viii tell theml r.
Peggy shook her head desparingly.
Pauline, dear Pauline! They will
torture yousas they did me. 1t is use.
less! Sir Robert will make you say
Just what he wants. Pauline, do yot
think that Mr.. Collingwood knew We
SuOuIu UC 1AIIS ttldt tilo
he wrote the letter"
Pauline appeared to reflect for a mo-
ment. 81 think, madame" she replied
slowly, that M'sieu Collingwood knew
we should be in Paris. Butt an
certain he did not write that letter"
Then if he didn't write it-yor
think Lady Attwill-"
IF it is not M'sieu Collingwood
madame, it must be Lady Attwill!' de-
clared Pauline, sternly
Peggy wrung her hand piteously.
But why should she do such 6end-
ish thing!"
"She has never forgiven you fol
marrying M'sieu Adnaston! Did
not tell you, madame?"
Peggy sprang to her feet with new
light in her eyes.
"Pauline!" she cried Il must find
out who wrote that letter"
Pauline raised her eyebrows.
Eyes, madame-but how?'
Before Peggy could formulate re-
ply a footman entered with tea-tray,
Peggy told him to take it up to her
room and slowly followed.
III rest-rest and think" she muir
INJURED. She turned to Pauline. RE
member. I'm at home to no one"
The door had barely closed behind
her when the telephone bell rang
Pauline put the instrument to her ear.
who is it? Yes; this is Admission
House." she gasped suddenly, and
Rripped the phone with both hands.
YES; she is in. Oh, sir. she ISIS in
her room. resting" Pauline's voice
broke "Oh, can harly speak to you,
Msieu! Your wife is nearly mad,
Msieu! She is innocent-on my soul
Ye.-eome! fes-yes. l will prom
ise"
She was shaking from head to foo.
when she placed the instrument back
in its rack, and was about to run after
madame when the footman opened the
door and announced:
"Mr. Collingwood."
Pauline stopped and faced the man
who had brought grief and shame on
the one person she loved with hei
whole heart. Collingwoods face was
white and set. He did not notice the
maids uncompromising attitude.
Pauline, where is madame" he de-
abruptly.
Madame is resting"
as she alone:'
mo, M'sieu, Lady Attwill is with
her" Pauline spoke with frigid dig
nifty.
NO! That is impossible"
Collingwood moistened his lips and
moved closer. His tone softened some
what
Can't you persuade her to see me,
Pauline-just for a moment he beg
ged ITS only to tell her one thing
one thing want her TO know! 1t
won't disturb her, Pauline. and its
more to me than
1T is impossible, Msieu," interrupt
.d.the maid. firmly. IF you knew how
bad it is with her you would not ask
t."
Collingwood turned away with an
that bordered on despair.
"Fm sorry" he said simply. Pauline
fastened out, and as Collingwood start
ID to retire the footman announced
Lord Ellerdine.
His lordship was as immaculate as
usual, even to the gardenia in his Lapel,
,ut his face was flushed and he looked
more excited than he had ever appear
ID in his life He would have consid-
.red it beastly bad form if he had
nown. Collingwood stared at him
"Ah, Coilingw he exclaimed. almost
as he advanced into the room.
You are the very man I want to see.
want to ask you something Do you
write much with the left hand?'
Collingwood stared harder. He
hought for a moment that hi. friend
lad at last lost complete control of his
lone too certain mentality.
whats that" he demanded.
Can you write with your left
land?" repeated his lordship, with an
lir of aggressiveness. Collingwood
urned away with an Indifferent shrug.
Il don't suppose I could. I never
ried," he answered.
Ellerdine beamed his delight.
That's a good job" he exclaimed.
Then its all right as far as you're
He shook his head sober