The Washington herald., 1914-03-01

God to send him back TO her?
Il was the following evening. after din
ner. We were at my sitting-room win
dow. looking out across the wheatfield
which divided us from the sea. Although
she had done her best to hide II. I felt
pretty certain that she had been crying
nearly all day long.
'If you are not careful. Mrs. Vinton.
you will make yourself i'll"
With this remark I broke a silence
which was becoming almost painful. She
started and her cheeks were flushed.
why do you say thstT' she asked.
with startled eyes.
Because 1t Is so obvious. wonder II
you'll forgive me IL ! say something? Do
you know that each of us has been keep
ing a secret from the other?"
"what do yoa mcsn?" Her surprise
seemed to increase.
'The secret 1 have kept from you is
that 1 have the gift Of seeing what people
say by merely watching their lips. even il
they are speaking to themselves"
'I don't understand. How can You pos
sibly do that2" Her eyes seemed to grow
larger; they were very pretty eyes.
"1'he secret you have oeen keeping from
me is that your husband is still alive"
had done it then. She got OF her chair
with quite jump.
Miss Lee!'
What she actually did was TO collapse
in a sort of heap on to the floor. pillow
her head on the seat Of the chair on
which she had been sitting. and burst
into tears. 1t was my turn to be startled.
Kneeling beside her on the floor, l put
my hands on her shoulders. whispering:
II am so sorry to have intruded on your
sufferings. but I could not help 1t.
She stood up. the tears still streaming
down her cheeks.
IT am ashamed Of myself, Miss Lee.
suppose some one has been telling you
something?"
Not word; all know you have told
me yourself"
I explained to her how that was. Her
tears ceased to fall; the expression on
her face was like a note of exclamation.
You see, it is because OF this gift I
have of reading peoples most secret
thoughts-sometimes. as in your case,
even against my will-that thought I
might be Of some little help to you"
81 don't see how you can be Of help to
me. It's quite true. as you say, that my
husband is alive; but he might as well be
dead. because he's in prison."
'I beg your pardon. Mrs. Vinton; did
not guess 1t was that way. Please for
give me. Still. perhaps I can be Of help
to you"
my husband was sentenced to fourteen
years penal servitude; he has served
three. In those circumstances don't see
what help you. perfect stranger, can
be to me-"
81 might at least be able to send you
some dodgers"
'.Do you think people viii come and
lodge with me when they know who I
am? I don't suppose any one, knows the
whole truth about me. 1 have done my
best TO hide It but even as II is they shun
me as IL were the plague"
was at a loss for things to say. the
situation being one for which was so ut
terly unprepared- Presently she gave me
unlooked-for help, while inflicting on me
what was very like a snub.
This is a subject, Miss Lee, on which
you have forced my confidence-I am not
sure quite fairly Whether you go or
Sldss VII Oiit pOlul uc hO
understanding: 1t is a subject on which
you must never speak to me again. But
before quitting it for ever. ] should like
to make myself clear to you on one mat
ter: the jury found him guilty, the Judge
sent him to prison for fourteen years. the
world thinks that punishment well mer-
ited-but ! know that my husband is in
nocent."
She turned to leave the room, but some
thing made II impossible for me to let her
60.
Mrs. vinton, One moment, please!
Don't you see that il your husband is in
nocent that is just the point on which
might be able to help your
Again her manner was not encouraging.
Help me? You? How can you help
me?"
'T have sufficient confidence in your
judgment, Mrs. Vinton-"
my name is not Vinton; nor is my hus-
band's-his name is George Young"
suppose II was because / started that she
added: Now you will probably adopt
different tone: in common with all the
world. you held my husband to be guilty"
II know nothing either Of your hus-
bands innocence or guilt. Nearly four
years ago / left England for a long tour
around the world. Your husbands trial
must have taken place while was away"
'T saw you start when said my hus-
bands name was George Young II you
did not know it, why start as you did?"
Her tone was suspicious, even resentful.
You have heard how the mouse helped
the lion," said. II honestly think it is
within the range of possibility that I
may be able to help you. You say your
husbands name is George Young. Tell
me about him. With what was he
charged"'
Abandoning her intention Of quitting
the room, she had sunk upon a chair.
Her words limped a little.
MY husband was managing clerk to
a firm of solicitors. There was a trust
fund of rather more than twenty thous-
and pounds of which they were custo-
dians: when the trustees wanted the mon
ey il was gone They charged George with
taking it. Other charges were made
against him in the course Of the trial,
but it was on that charge that he was
found guilty and sentenced to fourteen
years penal servitude."
What was the name of the firm by
which your husband was employed?"
Hutton. Hutton and Walker. Young
Mr. Hutton had died some time before
the discoveries were made The firm con-
sisted of old Mr.. Hutton. the senior part
ner. and Mr.. walker.
..ruo. HE por,o r-hor,os Waller o,d