Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-01

Aou hhoN' ne 5 Deen boaStlng that he'd
catch that stenographer and take her
to headquarters.
Yes, l know" murmured the girl. with
a shudder
We'll, he'd do it, tool" 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 a 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?"
ohe covered her face with her hands
anu hoWeH clumsily patted her shoulder
Now, you're nervous and upset" he
SAID gently. ut was the only way-and
we can trust my mother absolutely.'
Are you sure?" She looked M AT him
fearfully
Aes-yes. And here's the plan"
ne went on quickly. Mother has little
mouse out in Jersey, She's going to open
II and take you out there and keep you
until we get your brother"
on she exclaimed, but he could not
tell what the exclamation might mean.
Howell Tells His Love.
And Wen do it, too-tlon't YOU fear"
he concluded, confidently. mo, you must
not do that" She was crying softly.
Ihere'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-
thlng that felt like his tongue and
gulped once or twice in the shock of a
sudden resolve.
Good to you!' he repeated steadily
Why, et-dear!-I-cant you see?
Don't you know?"
She suddenly raised her head and looked
at him with round eyes.
on l know | shouldn't speak of it,
now he went on quickly, but
"No-no!" she interrupted sharply.
I love you!" he declared with a sort
of desperation. You must know that"'
Her hands were covering her face and
she trembled and shook
"Yes!' he exclaimed. and was aston
nished to find that he could tell it so
easily. From the first time I saw Won
in front of that restaurant, with that
brute hands on your throat and that
look of appeal in your eyes, I've wanted
to"
"No-no!" 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 ST.
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?"
''No"
This answer came so quickly and forci-
bly, that his heart leaped with Halle
luiah!"
We'll, then, what is ft?"
She turned her head slowly toward him.
My dear friend" she said gently and
quite steadily, you must know put all
thought of love and marriage out of my
life four years ago"
l.,
You mean on account Of
He left the question unfinished. She
raised her eyes bravely to his.
Yes she replied.
For a 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
Percivafs pure sister fastened the sword
belt about his waist. And her eyes fell.
"Oh. my dear" he exclaimed softly in
a 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-I've got to go on! |
must get my brother back and go on with
swell with the bigness of her purpose
and Howell worshipped. "Other girls
must be saved from what I had to suffer
oh. don't you understand? I can't have
anything else to think of but ths!'
Gee! you're great!' he breathed won
deringly. Outlook here! You can't go
on alone-Tm in it now. you know"
Yes. that's just the trouble" She all
but wrung her hands. 1--WE got you into
it," Howell grinned idiotically. You're
in danger and L"
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.
mo- No ! DON'T she painted. ~
don't"
To Be Continued Monday.