Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-01

We'll, he'd do it, too!" declared How
ell, grimly He'd give up his own moth
er to serve his purpose-the old DEVIL"
What are You going to do?" asked
Margaret, the old look of terror in her
eyes.
I've figured out plan" replied How
ell, slowly. I've told my mother the
whole story"
Margaret started and drew back
You told her-everything?" she fall
tered.
Now, don't be alarmed" he pleaded,
misunderstanding, and she was glad when
she saw that he did. She's the best
little mother in the world"
"oh, but no one else should know"
she cried, reproachfully. Tit isn't safe
oh, how could you?"
She covered her face with her hands
ana Howell clumsiIy patted her shoulder.
NOW, you're nervous and upset" he
'Aiu' sehtly. 1t was the only way--and
we can trust my mother absolutely!'
are you sure?' She looked up at him
fearfully.
'Yes-yes. And here's the n,an
ne went on quickly. Mother has a little
house out in Jersey. She's going to open
1t and take you out there and keep you
until we get your brother"
OH she exclaimed, but he could not
tell what the exclamation might mean
Howell Tells His Love-
And Wen do it. too-don't you fear"
he concluded, confidently. mo, you must
not not 90 that She was crying softly,
There's nothing to cry about"
"Oh. it isn't that! she murmured.
brokenly. But you're so-so-good-to
me-sO good to mel"
Howell gazed at her, swallowed some
thing that felt like his tongue and
gulped once or twice in the shock of a
sudden resolve
Good to you!' he repeated steadily
Why, Margaret-dear.-I-ca you see?
Don't you know"
She suddenly raised her head and looked
at him with round eyes.
"Oh. l know | shouldn't sneak of if
now," he went on quickly, but"
"No-no!" she interrupted sharply.
Il love you!" he declared, with a sort
of desperation. You must know thatu'
Her hands were covering her face and
she trembled and shook.
"Yesr' he exclaimed. and was aston
nished to find that he could tell it so
easily. From the first time / saw YOU
IN front of that restaurant with that
brute's hands on your throat and that
look of appeal in your eyes, I've wanted
to-"
Mono" she cried desperately
But nothing could stop him now
And that night in The Refuge, when.
in your terror, you showed me your very
soul-and the fight you were making to
save others from the pain and horrors
that you had endured-why, since then
I-well-I--"
His voice broke and he turned his face
away from her There was a little si-
tence. and then the girl spoke very soft
! ly.
"Please!" she begged, please don't say
any more"
He looked at her. but could only see
part of her profile.
"Why?"
| No reply.
Don't you care for me at all?"
! Il mustn't" was the response in a
dreary voice. and you mustn't ask me. +"
why not?" he persisted He was a
| good reporter. Isis there some one
! else?"
mo"
This answer came so quickly and forci-
bly, that his heart leaped with a Halle
luiah"
We'll, then, what is it?"
She turned her head slowly toward him.
my dear friend" she said gently and
quite steadily, you must know-I put all
thought of love and marriage out of my
life four years ago"
-Four years ago. he repeated SLOWLY
You mean on account Of
He left the question unfinished She
raised her ewes hraVPlV to his
Yes" she replied.
For few moments they stood looking
| into each others eyes, and there came
over his face the sort of light that might
| have shown on the brow of Galahad when
! Percivals pure sister fastened the sword
belt about his waist. And her eyes fell
"Oh, my dear" he exclaimed softly in
sort of reverential reproach. DO you
think that would make any difference to
me?" Why, your heart is as pure as"
| "Oh, please, please don't" she pleaded
| piteously, holding out her hands in ap-
| peal Il mustn't let you. Besides. it
isn't that alone-I must go on You don't
! know how l feel-Tve got to go on! |
must get my brother back and go on with
| our work. Her whole figure seemed to
swell with the bigness of her purpose
and Howell worshipped "Other girls
must be saved from what ] had to suffer
| oh, don't you understand? | can't have
anything else to think Of but this!'
Gee, you're great he breathed Won
deringly. "But-lOok here! You can't go
on alone-Im In it now, you know"
Yes. that's just the trouble She all
but wrung her hands. I've got you into
! IT." Howell grinned idiotically. You're
! in danger and =
The Maid Interrupts
Then you do care he cried, tri-
umphantly. making for her with out
stretched arms But she backed away and
averted her eyes from his
! NO, No. / don't" she painted. II
| don't"
To Be Continued Monday,