The Washington times., 1912-11-15

LOnuOn ne TetOEHiAtu stN''e'
reporters at the station. Fearing
that they might follow him, he ordered
his taxi to drive to the Carlton. There
he got out. and, walking quickly
through the hotel, he made his exit by
a rear door Having assured himself
that he was not being observed, he
hailed another taxi and drove to the
nursing home.
well, Mr. .Thompkins." exclaimed the
doctor. with ponderous facetiousness. Il
am glad TO be able to tell you thut Mrs.
Thompkins Ia much better
And her memory" faltered Cyril.
"It's improving. She does not yet 10
member people or incidents, but she IL
beginning to recall certain places For
instance, / asked her yesterday II she
had been to Paris. 1t suggested nothing
to her; but this morning she told me
with great pride that Paris was city.
and that It had a wide street with an
arch at one end. so you see she is pro-
crossing; only we must not hurry her"
Cyril murmuI ed vague assent.
"Of course" continued the doctor
you must be very careful when see
Lady Wilmersley to restrain your emo
tons, and on no account to remind her
OF the immediate past. ] hope and be-
the other hand. | wish you to talk about
those OF her friends and relations, for
whom she has shown predllection.
Her memory must be gently stimulated,
solItcly essential to her recovery"
But, doctor-I must-it's frightfIlly
important that my wife the found him
self calling her so quite glibly) should
be told certain fact at once. If I
walt even a day. It will be too late,"
urged Cyril.
And you have reason to suppose that
this communication will agitate Lady
Wilmersley?"
IL fear So"
Then | can certainly not permit IT,
You. don't seem to realize the delicate
condition OF her brain. Why. It might
be fatal" insisted the doctor.
overtaking him.
Come, we will go to her." said the
doctor. moving toward the door. She
IL naturally a little nervous about see
ing. ''' NV Np "'' "
But Cyril hung back. II he could not
enter her presence? fo pose as the hus-
band Of a woman SO as to enable her
to escape arrest was excusablc but to
Impose himself on the credultv OF an
afflicted girl was absolutely revolving.
II he treated her with even the most
| decorous show of affection. he would be
situation. Yet. II ne behaved with too
much reserve. she would conclude that
her husband was u heartless brute.
Her husband! The one person she had
to cling to In the isolation to which she
| had awakened. 1t was horrible! oh!
| why had he ever placed her In such an
impossible position? Arrest would have
been preferable. He was sure that che
OF whatever It was OF which she was
| accused. and in few days at the latest
| would have gone free without stain
on her character, while now. unless by
| some miracle this episode remained con-
| cealed, she was irredeemably compro-
| missed.
He was married man. She. for
aught he knew to the contrary, might
also be bound. or. at all events, have
a hance or lover waiting to claim her.
How would he view the situation? How
| would he receive the explanation
| Cyril shuddercd involuntarily.
Ever minute the chances that her
secret could be kept decreased. II she
did not return to her friends while II
was still possible to explain or account
for the time OF her absence. he feared
she would never be able to return a,
all. Yes, It would take miracle to
save here now!
We'll, Lord Wilmersley?"
| Cyril started. The Doctors tone was
peremptory, and his piercing eyes were
| fixed searchngly upon him. What ex.
cuse could he give for refusing to meet
his supposed wife? He could think ol
none.
II must remind you, DOCTOR" he fai,
| tered at last, that my wife has 'atel!
detested me. IL really don't think
had better see her. II am so afrai,
my presence will send her out OF hei
head again
The Doctors upper lip grew rigid ant
his eyes contracted angrily.
II have already assured you that sh,
Is perfectly sane. 1t Is essential to heI
recovery that she should see somebody
connected with her past life / canno
Lady Wilmersley."
II am only thinking OF the patient,
Cyril murmured feebly.
The patient Is my affair" snapped
the doctor.
was again tempted to tell Stuart Smit
the truth. He looked anxiousiy at tn
man. Mott was impossible Their
was no loophole for escape! And. aft G
all, he reflected. u he had an opportun
ity of watching the girl she might quit
unconsciously by some act, word, o
even by some subtle essence of her per
sonality. furnish him with clue t
her past. Every occupation leaves in
takes keen eyes to discern them. II tn
girl had been a seamstress Cyril be
leved that he would be able by OF
serving her closely to assure himself q
the fact.
, Very WE'LL" he said aloud "If yo
J are willing to assume the responsIbilit,
will go to my wife at once But n
, slst on your being present at our me q
; ing"
, Certainly. II you wish It. but 1t
not at all necessary, ! assure YOU" r,
piled the doctor.
, A moment later Cyril, blushing like
schoolgirl. found himself in a larg
whitcwashed room. Before him. on
. narrow iron bedstead, lay his myster
, Gus protege.
,, Cyril caught his breath. He had fol
, gotten how beautiful she was. Her re
. lips we're slightly parted and the colo
, ebbbed and flowed In her Transporter
cheeks Ignoring the doctor, her Gag,
glance sought Cyril, and for minut
! the two young people gazed at eaC
other in silence. How young. how inn'
cent she looked! How could anyor
C doubt the candor of those starlike eye
c thought Cyril.
c We'll, Mrs Crichton," exclaImf
c Stuart Smith, II have brought YOU tn
c husband you have been so undutiful a
y TO forget. Love. honor. and obey. an
y | above all remember I suggest as a