The Washington times., 1913-02-14
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)
By Louis Joseph Vance

CHAPTER N.-(C0ntlnued.)
" ROM what Whitaker knew OF
~ Thurlow Lsdislas, he. felt this
to be too cruely true to admit
Of further argument.
At a loss. he fell silent, knitting his
hands together as he strove TO find
other words wherewith to comfort
and reassure the girl.
he6d and shoulders cringing.
1T hurts so.' she walled. What
people will think / can't stand the
shame-the bitter. bitter shame of this,
Ard yet 1 haven't any right to COM
my punishment
sOh. / cay"
but / have, because-because I
didn't love him, didn't love him at
all, and 1 knew 1t. even though I
meant to marry him."
But why-in heavens manner"
because 1 was SO lonely and-mis-
understood and unhappy at home. You
No, mother. never daring to see
my. sister (she ran away, too) my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but a great. empty
bully me and make cruel fun Of me
because I'm not pretty.
That's why | ran away with a man
i didn't and couldn't ever, love-be-
cause ! Xnted freedom and little
Coed Lord" he murmured benea tn
his breath, awed by contemplation Of
the pitiful. childish simplicity Of her
confession and the deep damnation
that had waited upon her
SO it's over" she cred-'over, and
I've learned my lesson, and I'm DIS
graced forever. and friendless and"
stop right there" he checked her
and that nullihes all the rest Be glad
you've had your romance and learned
your lesson"
for your Kindness she interrupted.
But the disgrace-that can't be blot
ted out"
'oh. yes. 1t cam" he insisted blunt
glimmering of that way had only
that instant let little light in upon
the darkness Of his solicitous dis
tress for her.
fro. hands clasped behind him. try
ing to make what he had in mind
seem right and reasonable.
You mean beg NV father to take
me back. I'll die firstr
There mustn't be any more talk, or
even any thought, Of anything like that
] understand too we'll to ask the i'm
possible OF you. But there is one way
out-a perfectly right way-if you're
willing and brave enough to take a
ohance-a long chance"
Somehow. she seemed to gain hope
Of his tone.
She sat up. following him with eyes
that sought incredulously to believe
Have 1 any choice?' she asked.
I'm desperate enough
Heavens knows" he, you'll have
to be-
He paused, standing over her
Desperate enough to marry a man
who's bound to die within six months
and leave you free? I'm that man; the
doctors give me six months more Of
one dependent upon me. nothing 20
look forward to but death that will
benefit nobody-a useless end to use
less life.
self? Heavens my witness. you're wal
oh" she breathed aehas,, what
are you saying?'
I'm proposing marniage." he said
with his quaint. one-sided smile.
Please listen; ] same to this place
to make a quick end to my proublea-
but I've changed my mind about that
now. What's happened in this room
has made me see that nobody has any
right to-hasten things.
"But I mean to leavt the country
immediately-and let death find me
where It will. shall leave behind me
a name and a little money. neither of
take them employ th.m to make your
life what IT was meant to be?
'1t's little thing. but it'll make me
feel a lot more fit to go out Of this
decent act to mark my memory. There's
only this far-fetched chance-I may
live. It's a million-to-one shot, but
you've got to bear it in mind. But
"oh. stop, stop" she implored him.
half hysterfcaI TO think of marrying
TO benefit by the death of man like
yeu-
You've no right to look at it that
way"
He had wry. secret smile for his
specious sophistry.
You're being asked to confer. not To
accept favor. It's Just an act Of nd
ness to hopeless man. I'd go mad II
/ didn't know you were safe from re-
currence of the madness of this after
noon
Don't she cried. don't tempt me!
frantic ] ann
Il do" he countered frankly. I'm de-
pending on just that to swing you to
my point of view. You've got to come
to It. ss mean you shsi! nil masTH aasIh6ned ne in
sensibly yielding 10 the domination OF
his will.
IL was inevitable.
He was scarcely less desperate than
spe-aHh no Iess oNtr"ra aosht o"S uu-
strung: and he was the stronger: In the
natural course OF things his Will could
not but prevail.
She was little more than a child, ac
customed TO yield and 20 where others
led or pointed out her path What re-
s:stsnce could she offer to the domineer-
ing importantly of a man of fun stature,
arrogant In his strength. ard. bounded
b. fends2
And he I'm the fatality of his soul be-
Eeved that he vas right: that he was
fighting for the girls best interests.
nSiltins-and not ungenerous'y-to save
her from the ravening consequences Of
s>a, .'i-d folly.
x.-uth Is h. was hardly . re-