Evening star., 1912-11-24

ing it's message of steadfastness and hope.
Her promise true,' What had she
promised? To be honest, to be kind. That
meant giving back the money-and letting
Anton hand her over to Grimes. Anton
would do it, too, the cur. Then Grimes
would send her up, and-shed never see
Rosalie again, and-she'd never be able
to do anything for Rosalie.
Strange how this thought of Rosalie
gave Hester strength to do the thing that
would surely separate her from Rosalle
to do the thing that was right. whatever
the cost, AS she listened, breathless and
motionless, reveling in that enthralling
melody, it seemed as if she saw her Sis
ter's loving eyes. gazing at her tenderly.
1t was Rosalie, the pure soul of Ro-
in golden song, bidding her be brave. and
keep her promise and-give the money
bach-not half of it, but all of it.
Inspired with this simple faith. the girl
moved swiftly toward the wide glass door
that led into the library. In her hand she
give them back. Anton and Grimes might
do what they pleased. If punishment and
shame must come, then let them come.
She was going to return the money she
had stolen, and-dO what her dear sister
Rosalie would wish, and-keep her prom
ise true.
With her hand on the door Hester
paused She remembered that Miss
Thompsons desk stood at this side of the
room. not more than ten feet distant. 1t
was possible that, under cover of dark
ness and the music she could reach this
desk without attracting attention. Ii she
could, then = then she might slip the
money into one of the drawers, and-and
make her getaway through the park be-
fore Anton could be sure that she had
thrown him down. He wouldn't tell
Grimes until he was absolutely sure. She
might have time to stop at the lodge for
her. things, and-she could square old
Mrs. Pottle somehow There was just a
chance. in this storm. that she could be
off on a train to London before Anton
would even tumble that she had started.
He was good deal of fool, Anton, and
a coward besides.
Well, she would take the chance. 1t
meant liberty everything, and-this was
playing fair. She had promised to give
the money back, but-that didn't mean
walking meekly into Jail. To be honest
to be kind-there was nothing else to it,
She had a perfect right TO keep out of
jail. If she could.
Lightly and swiftly Hester entered the
library and glided across the room to-
ward Miss Thompson's desk. Betty was
still singing, but the Storm girl listened
no longer. All her faculties Were CEN
tered on the last desperate adventure. II
she could only get away with this, If
the kind God-Merle's God-Rosalie's God
would only let her get away with this.
Cropping before her in the obscurity of
the room, her hand touched the desk, and,
running her fingers over it. she came
upon partly open drawer. There was
something white in it. A handkerchief.
1t was the top drawer on the left-hand
side. She would remember that and wire
Betty tonight-no. write her. The top
drawer on the left-hand side, unde. ne
handkerchief. There. She crowdef ne
banknotes back into the drawer WAN
farewell tap and cautiously pressed the
drawer shut. The spring lock clicked.
She had kept her promise. She had re-
turned the Bishop of Bunchesters $1,000
while the bishop himself. all unconscious
of this, sat- lost in pleasant reverie, not
three yards away.
Swiftly and silently. as before. Hester
left the room. Thus far fortune and the