The Washington times., 1913-02-13

ured determination In ms manner ue-
TERED her.
After a moment she asked:
"Please-who are your
My name is whitaker he said
Hugh Morton Whitaker"
She repeated nss1a t oh r nsm Aren't aS %Uu
engaged to Alice Carstairs?''
I'm the man you mean, he said
quietly: but I'm not engaged to Alice
OH Perplexity clouded the eyes
that followed closely his every move
ment- How did you happen Toto find
me here?"
Quite by accident" he replied Il
didn't want to be known. 50 registered
as Hugh Morten. They mistook me for
your husband Do-you mind telling me
how long 1t is since you've had any
thing to eat.''
She told him: Last night
He suffered a sense of shame only
second to her own to see the dull flush
that accompanied her reply.
His fingers itched for the throat of
C ". Morton. chauffeur. Happily, a
knock at the door distracted him.
communicate with the bell-boy. he gave
him an order for the kitchen. together
with an incentive to speed the service.
Closing the door he swung round to
find the girl had got to her feet.
He won't be long" Whitaker be-
gan vaguely.
II want to tell you something" The
girl faced him bravely. though he re,
fused the challenge of her tormented
eyes. IL have no husband
He bowed gravely.
"oh-nothins! Let's not talk about
Il must talk-yoa must let me. You're
SO kind. I've got to tell YOU Won't
He had crossed to a window. where he
said softly. hut il you prefer"
Il do prefer" said the voice behind
him. Tim Mary Ladislas.'
Yes" said Whitaker.
II ran away from home last week
| five days ago-to get married to our
chauffeur. Charles Morton
She stammered and faltered.
Please don't go on, IL IL hurts" he
| begged without looking. round.
I've got to-I've got to get it over
with. We were at Southampton. at my
| fathers summer home-I mean, that's
where I ran away from.
"He-Charley-drove me over 10
Greenport, and took the ferry there
went back to New York in the car.
promising to join me here as soon as
possible"
''And he didn't Gomez" Whitaker
wound up for her when she hesitated.
And you wrote and telesraphed, and
he didn't answer"
| Yes. How do you know
How much money Of yours did he
take with him." Whitaker pursued.
ment. What do you know about that?'
| she demanded
II know a good deal about that type
of man." he said grimly.
| II didn't have any money to speak Of
but ] had some tewelry-my mothers
and he was to take that and pawn i,
and get money enough for US to get
married on
| Il see.''
| To his infinite relief. the waiter inter.
| rupted them.
The girl in her turn went to one of the
| windows, standing with her back to the
room, while Whitaker admitted the mar
| with his tray.
When they were alone once more he
| fixed the place and drew a chair fol
/ her.
| "Everything's ready" he said, and
| had the sense not to try TO make his
| tone cheerful.
| Il hadn't finished what I wanted tc
tell you" said the girl, coming back to
| him.
| Twill you do me the favor to waltz
| he pleaded Il think things will SEEM
| we'll, otherwise-when you've had some
food"
oh, pleased" he begged with his odd
| twisted smile.
She submitted, head dropping and eye,
| downcast.
| He returned to his window, rather
wishing that he had thought to order
| for himself as well as for the girl; fol
| IL WAS suddenly borne strongly In upor
| him that he himself had had little
enough to eat since dinner with Peter
| Stark.
! He lighted cigarette by way of dull
ing his appetite. and then let 1t snoldel
| to ashes between his fingers. while hi
| lost himself in profound speculation II
a painstaking analysis of the girl:
position.
SubconsciousIy he grew aware tina,
, the storm was moderating perceptibly
| the sky breaking.
I've finished" the girl announced a,
length. ,..,.m
) Stronger. l think"
| rs there anything more
| IF you wouldn't mind sitting down"
| She had twisted her armchair away
! from the table.
Whitaker took a seat q little distanc,
| from her. with a keen glance apprais
! ing the change in her condition AND
| finding II not so marked as he hat
hoped.
| Still, she seemed measurably more
! composed and mistress of her emotions
though he had to judge her mostly b!
her voice and manner. so dark had II
| grown In the room
| Through the shadows he could see lit
| tie more than masses Of light and
shade-blocking In a slender figure hud
died I'm the big. dilapidated chair-th'
| pallid oval Of her face an the darkness,
| Of her wide, intent eyes.
| Don't" she cried sharply. pleas,
| rf.alr at rrf
| II beg your pardon. ! didn't NEAR
| to-
Its only-only that you make M
| think OF what you must be thinking