The Washington herald., 1914-12-30

come to EngIand-that haven for all
refugees. David MCViCkcr had taken
Lequeux into his home and friendship.
The state OF affairs began to look
ominous. Martha knew that she could
never marry David She had fought
desperately against the charm OF the
Belgian but her struggle had been use
less. II was as IL a mighty torrent had
rushed down from the mountain side
and swept her completely into his keep
ing. Apart from his being the ideal of
her youthful dreams in physical beauty
he possessed a gentleness Of manner.
a keen sense OF humor and personal
charm that Martha loved in spite OF
herself.
As for LequeuN, the situation was
tragic. He had never before loved a
girl and now fate had elected to rob
him of home. business and the right to
tell that girl that he loved her Life
seemed a queer medly of untold sorrow
to him. but his smile was as ready and
his manner as gentle as II the world
Of Joy lay before him.
1t was beginning to he most diff
cult to follow David's instructions in
the matter OF entertaining Martha.
LequeuN was forced into the girls
presence through David's desire that
she be not lonesome while in London
and until he himself returned to take
her about. More and more the Belgian
was falling in love with David's girl,
but he was constantly on guard lest he
betTay his secret and thus precipitate
/ a crisis that meant a final separation
from David and David's sweetheart.
In the meantime. David, over in Bel
fast, had lost his heart to a little Irish
girl and felt himself a cad. The long
time that had passed since seeing Martha
had worn down the enthusiastic desire
ne had felt for her and now only deep
regard, such as he would have felt for
his brothers wife. remained David
cursed himself and his tickle nature. but
knew not how to stem the current II
events that seemed likely TO hurl him
and Martha over the matrimonial bur
Gers. He felt vaguely that Martha was
not desperately in love with him AMI
that 1t would not break her heart were
he to be quite frank with her but David
reCoiled from the hurt he might infiCt
The little Irish girl smiled upon him and
DaVids business held him another fort
night in Belfast.
Martha had intended TO wait until his
return to London before terminating her
engagement to David. Upon learning of
his intention to remain away from her
aiNSiltI A"b size ltlN as II IHlS
would he good opportunity. She wrote
him letter which blan ed him not z
little for his neglected. her-blamed him
for having placed his friend IN such a
position. And then she told him every
thing. II was hard to post the letter
and yet Martha could not help feeling
that the hurt would not be severe; il
David had cared so much he could have
found excuse for seeing her before this.
II was five days before she received
her answer-David had been unable 10
put his answer to her letter on paper.
He had wanted to be honest with her
to tell her all as frankly as She had told
him. And II had been difficult
When Martha read the letter telling IT
the little Irish girl she laughed The
Belgian was In the room when she re-
ceived 1t and he had asked permission
to read David's letter.
It's an Irish girl she said.
The Belgian started. ''What?-Dayid 80
he asked. as IL he had been guessing
at the truth.
Martha nodded
Write him that lisa Belgian-with
you." he laughed
Martha blushed. Tive already done
it," she confessed. And then she ex-
planned everything to him to his entire
satisfaction.