The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-04-25

II am so sorry, so desperately sorry
for her." added the girl plaintively.
81 know her." the other managed to
say with an effort.
"If l had only known that he had a
wife" began the girl bitterly, almost
angrily
Mrs. Wrandall grasped her by the
arm. you did not know that he had
a wife?" she cried.
The girls eyes flashed with a sud
den. fierce fire In their depths.
God in heaven, no! did not know
II until oh, can't speak of it! Why
should l tell you about it? Why
should you be interested in hearing
it?"
Mrs. Wrandall drew back and re.
garded the girls set, unhappy face.
There was curious light In her eyes
that escaped the others notice-a
light that would have puzzled her not
a little.
But you will tell me-everything-
a little later" she said, strangely calm.
Not now, but-before many hours
have passed. First of all, you must
tell me who you are, where you live
everything except what happened in
Buttons inn. | don't want to hear
that at present-perhaps never. Yes,
on second thoughts, / will say never!
You are never to tell me Just what
happened up there, or just what led
up to it. Do you understand? Never!"
The girl stared at her in amaze
ment But IL must tell some one, !"
she cried vehemently. II have a right
to defend myself"
81 am not asking you to defend your
SELF" said Mrs. Wrandall shortly.
Then, as if afraid to remain longer,
she rushed from the room. In the
doorway, she turned for an instant to
say: DO as | told you. Telephone.
Dress as quickly as you can" She
closed the door swiftly.
Standing in the center of the room,
her hands clenched until the nails cut
the flesh, she said over and over again
TO herself: Il don't want to know! ]
don't want to know!"
A few minutes later she was critical
ly inspecting the young woman who
came from the bedroom attired in a
street dress that neither of them had
ever donned before. The girl, looking
fresher, prettier and even younger
than when she had seen her lest, was
in no way abashed. She seemed to
have accepted the garments and the
situation in the same spirit of resigna-
ton and hope; as if she had decided
to make the most of her slim chance
to profit by these amazing circum-
stances.
They sat opposite each other at the
little breakfast table.
Please pour the coffee" said Mrs.
Wrandall The waiter had left the
room at her command. The girls hand
shook, but she complied without a
word.
Now you may tell me who you are
and-but wait! You are not to say
anything about what happened at the
inn. Guard your words carefully.
am not asking for a confession. | do
not care to know what happened there.
1t will make it easier for me to protect
you. You may call it conscience.
Keep your big secret to yourself. Not
one word to me. DO you understand? ?"
You mean that l am not to reveal,
even to you, the causes which led up
to"
"Nothing-absolutely nothing" said
Mrs. Wrandall firmly.
But / cannot permit you to Judge
me, towel, you might say to acquit
hearing the story. 1t is so
vital to me-"
II can judge you without hearing all
of the-the evidence, If that's what
you mean. Simply answer the ques-
lions l shall ask, and nothing more.
There are certain facts / must have
from you II am to shield you. You
must tell me the truth. take 1t you
are an English girl. Where do you
live? Who are your friends? Where
is your family?"
The girls face flushed for an instant
and then grew pale again.
Il will tell you the truth" she said.
my name is Hetty Castleton. My "a
Their is Col. Braid Castleton of - of
the British army. My mother Is dead.
She was Kitty Glynn, at one time
popular music hall performer in Lon
don. She was Irish. She died two
years ago. My father was a gentle
man. do not say he is a gentleman.
for his treatment of my mother re-
lieves him from that distinction. He
is in the far east, China, think.
have not seen him in more than five
years. He deserted my mother. That's
all there is to that side of my story.
in two or three of the
musical pieces produced in London
two seasons ago. in the chorus.
never got beyond that, for very good
reasons. was known as Hetty Glynn.
Three weeks ago l started for New
York, sailing from Liverpool. Previ-
ously / had served in the capacity of
governess In the family of John Bud
long, a brewer. They had a son,
young man Of twenty. Two months
ago j was dismissed A California
lady, Mrs. Holcombe, offered me sit
uation as goyerness to her two little
girls soon afterward. / was to go to
her home In San Francisco. She pro-
vided the money necessary for the
voyage and for other expenses. She
is still in Europe. landed in New
York a fortnight ago and, following
her directions. presented myself at a
certain bank--I have the name some