Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-28
TO-DAY IS INSTALLMENT.

Bettys lover Jack Rimington-Bet
herself-weighed very lightly in the scales
against Tony-rony and little Phil-her
husband and child. 1t wasn't treachery-
Il wasn't wasn't, 1t was sheerest ne
cesslty OF elf-P-eservation t2al demand
ed her action-and not selfpreservation
alone-the preservation of Tonys happi-
ness-Tony and little Phil.
husband ana child
With that railyIng cry she had crushed
down all remorse, all sense of protesting
honor, and had sat down and written her
anonymous letter to the police, slipping
out long, long after midnight through the
sleeping house to post it In the pillar box
outside the lodge gates
Little wonder that she dreaded to meet
Betty's eyes.
Lying there in the loneliness of the
darkened room, Edith harrington burst
into tears-tears that drenched her cheeks
and hands with a hot rain, but brought
no relief The bubble of her sophistry
had burst suddenly. TO what had she
come? For weeks she had been living
in an inner world of bitterness, and to
that bitterness was added the sting of re-
morse. Until last night she had at least
been innocent, but now
The sudden opening of the door broke
in on her thoughts She turned hastily
on the couch burying her tear stained
face deeper in the shelter of the cushions.
A Startling Call,
Mrs. Darlington? Are you here,
mm?"
1t was the soft voice Of Betty's maid
Yes" Edith Barrngton's first i'm
pulse had been to feign sleep. but some
instinct prompted her to speak. 81 am
mere, Jane Do you want me?'
Yes, MN. You're wanted on the tee-
phone. Name of Bradford"
Bradford Mrs Darlington started
from the couch I'm coming. Did you
answer the call Jane?'
mo, MN. Hodson.
Edith could hear the sound of voices
from the dining room as she slipped
through the hall Thank goodness there
was no fear of interruption; for the next
twenty minutes the family were safe at
the luncheon table
She went into the stewards room. where
the telephone was, and drew the door be-
hind her; the latch was defective. and
the little noise it made as she tried to
close it drowned the sound of the open
ing of another door at the other side of
the hall Her hand shook as she took
up tIl6 receiver. anu ItI VOICE WdS WI l.
steady as she made her call She dreaded
the smooth tongued, shifty looking solicit
tor more than she dreaded the man in
prison. She had not forgotten a look she
had surprised in his eyes the day he had
net her at the police court when she
visited Levasseur. Levasseur she knew,
Or thought she did-his worst and his bet
ter side But this man was an enigma
she dreaded the potential blackmaer in
him. she had never been able to rid her
self of a belief that he knew something
of that mysterious hush-money that lay
still locked away in her jewel case up
stairs gloated over IT, hungered for it,
Amazing News.
"Halloa Is that Mrs Barrington?'
Even over the wires the smooth voice
was unmistakabe Bradford speaking
James Bradford He
Il am Mrs Darlington
"Ah! With reference to our client, Mrs.
Darlington Have you heard-are you
ware of what has occurred?"
No To what do you alude?"
"Well'-the far-off. tinking voice hest
;ated--"Mr. Levasseur, It appears, has
made his escape from prison."
Escaped" The receiver almost dropped
rom Edith Barrington's hand. A vision
anne to her OF Levasseur, like wild
BEAST in ambush, waiting to spring,
YES We thought if possible he might
lave communicated with you?' The
statement was a question.
why should he communicate with me?
I know nothing of his escape; nothing
do you understand nothing
"Ah, thanks! | am sorry to have trou-
bed you in the matter then Good by -
They had rung off in Lincolns Inn
Fields, but for a second or two Edith
Darlington stood with the receiver in her
hand-a woman incapable of movement
Then. when presently, with slow, me-
chanical actions like those of an automa-
ton she did hang up the receiver and
turn. she recoied with a guilty start
Tony"
Darlington, who was standing in the
doorway. came forward once again. as
The looked at his smiling face, Edith had
hat disturbing impression as of a man
whose smiles We're worn now as mask.
ave been looking for you all over the
place, Edith" he said II brought your
luncheon tray in myself but you vanished
into space.
"I-I-" Her trembling lips refused to
frame any lei, any excuse. Nor did Bar
rington wait for one He turned and pre-
coded her out Of the room.