The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

On, why had she said thats She bit
her lips hercely. What had possessed
her to say Aat?
There was a moments painful silence
Then he laid his hand on her arm. "AIy
dear" with note OF gravity, even of
anxiety, in his voice, Il have known
Alvin Martin for thirty years, and |
know him to be az heart one of the best
men that ever lived. There is not a
, citizen of Harrisburg that does not re-
spect and honor him. He is the most
public-spirited of men and has done
more to advance the interests of Har-
risburg than any other one man. |
know that in some ways he is very ty-
rannical, particularly in his own family
when he finds a will opposed to his own;
but none OF Us are perfect, and / think
any young woman may well be proud to
be the daaghter-in-law Of Alvin Mar
tin"
Winifred's face was turned from him,
her gaze fixed steadily out the window.
She was silent so long that at length he
said with touch of formality.
Possibly my anxiety to be Of service
to any member of Mr.. Martins family
had led me to intrude, TO oyerstep-"
Winifred turned quickly, her eyes full
of tears. "Oh, no-no, think under
stand. You are very kind-I-"
He rose and held out his hand. Then
you must let me speak to the conductor
| We are almost at my station now"
She smiled. Il shall be very glad; l
am afraid / should feel rather forlorn
at Woodville."
Il hope we shall see you often at Har-
risburg, and that you will grow to like
the place and the people" And then
with his pleasant smile, Il am sure you
will lac US when you know US better"
He passed down the aisle TO the next
car. his tall military figure and gray hair
seeming TO stamp him as man OF dis
tinction.
And it was men like these that loved
and respected Georges fatherl
Three hours later she unlocked the
door OF their apartment The rooms
were full OF that close mustiness that
! comes from several days disuse. from
| closed windows and drawn blinds. 4
ball Of colored Irvine lay on the desk,
some tissue paper and a shawl-strap
were on the table, and a small satchel
that at the last moment they had decided
not to take was on a chair. Signs Of
packing, OF the preparations for their
trip, were everywhere. How long ago
1t seemed now! How full OF excitement
| she had been at the prospect OF this first
visit to his people! For days she had
prepared for II, and now-now-
! Forcing back the tears, she slipped
| out of her riding habit, into bath and
then into loose negligee. Restlessly she
wandered around the rooms. glancing
longingly at the telephone. and listening
tensely to every sound OF the elevator
down the hall,
| A sick fear was creeping into her
| hearth he should not follow her. II ne
should not even telephone, if his father
had ernbittered him against her! He
had promised to bring her home tomor-
row. Should she have waited until then
should she have forced herself 10 en-
dure one day more
The next hour was the longest she
had ever known.
She was standing at the window look
! ing out over the dark roofs to the lights
glimmering in the street beyond when
the door opened suddenly.
When her nervous, almost hysterical
| sobS had ceasedIhe told her OF his anX-
iety. OF how he had learned from the
station-master that she had taken the
? As. There had been no other train
until :. and no chance to telephone on
| the way.
And YOU don't blame me-" with an
anxious excitement in her voice. You
don't blame me-
No, dear" quietly.
She raised herself little in his arms.
You mean that you do blame n1e-t5at
you do think ! should have stayed to be
subjected to further-
No, Winifred | don't mean that.
I can't help but feel grieved tina, il hap
pened, but | don't blame you. i told
mother so before l left"
oh, you did-you did tell her that"
Yes, dear A slight pause. 4 have
never seen mother so anxious and dis
tressed before"
And your father" breathlessly
Father said very little, but l could
see he was greatly worried
There was something in his manner
that made Winifred desist from fur
Their questioning. In spite OF his ad-
mission that he did not blame her, she
felt that he was more deeply hurt and
farther away from her than at any time
since their marriage.
1t was with heavy heart that she
went to bed that night In the morning
she awoke with throbbing headache.
Reluctantly George went down to break
last alone. conscious OF something be-
tween them, but feeling powerless to say
or do anything that would bring them
nearer.
Winifred. in dainty morning gown.
was lying on the couch when he came up
from breakfast Her eyes. showed that
she had been crying. He stopped over
her and kissed her as he placed a letter
in her hand. The envelope bore spe-
cial delivery stamp and was addressed
to Mr. and Mrs. George Martin"
My Dear Children-Yogg father has
asked me to send you the TnClosed check
as your Christmas present We knew
that five thousand remained TO be paid
intended to give you check for half that
at Christmas. But after thinking il over
We decided that you would like to start
the new year free from all payments. so
he is sending check for the full amount
We hope you will be able TO spend Eas-
ter with us. Carrie and the children Will
not be here then. and We will not be dis
turbed by holiday preparations as we
have this time, so We feel that We will
be able to make your visit then a more
pleasant one.
George hope both you and winifred
will write me often. As grow older and
ing in close touch with my children. Low
ng1y MOTHER