The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-06-27
CHAPTER xV
RattIIno Old Bonea.

mall He was waiting for her on the
platform when she descended from
the wagon lit in the Care du Nord.
Sleepy passengers crowded with them
into the customs department. She,
alone among them all, wac smiling
brightly, as If the world could be sweet
at an hour when, by all odds, It should
be sleepiest
Il was up and on the lookout for you
at Amiens," he declared, as they
walked OF together. You might have
got on there, you know" with wry
grin.
Il shall not run away from you
again, Brandon" she said earnestly.
Il promise, on my honor"
by Jove," he cried, that's a re-
lief!" Then he broke into a happy
laugh.
Il shall go to the Ritz" she said,
after her effects had been examined
and were ready for release.
Il thought So" he announced calm
ly. Il wired for rooms before left
London"
Really, this is ridic-"
Don't frown like that, Hetty," he
| pleaded.
AS they ratified and bounced over
the cobble-stones in a taxi-meter on
the way to the Place Vendome, he de-
voted the whole of his conversation to
the delicious breakfast they were to
have, expatiating glibly on the won
derful berries that would come first in
that alwaye-to-be-remem meal.
She was ravenously hungry by the
time they reached the hotel, just from
listening to his dissertation on chops
and rolls and coffee as they are served
in Paris, to say nothing OF wafles and
honey and the marmalade that no Eng
lishman can do without
Alone in his room, however, he was
quite another person. His calm assur-
ance took fight the instant he closed
the door and modify began to prepare
for his bath. Resolution was undi-
minished, but the facts in the case
we're most desolatlng. Whatever it
was that stood between them, there
was no gainsaying its power to influ-
ence their lives. 1t was no trifle that
caused her to take this second flight,
and the sooner he came to realize the
seriousness of opposition the better.
He made up his mind OF one point
in that half-hour before breakfast; II
she asked him again to let her go her
way in peace. 1t was only fair to her
and right that he should submit to the
inevitable. She loved him, he was
sure of it. Then there must be a very
good reason for her perplexlng attitude
toward him. He would make one more
attempt to have the truth from her.
Failing in that, he would accept the
situation as hopeless, for the time be-
ing at least. She should know that he
loved her deeply enough for that.
She joined him in the little open-air
cafe, and they sat down at table in
remote corner. There we're few peo-
pie breakfasting. In her tender blue
eyes there was look Of sadness that
haunted him, even as she smiled and
called him beloved.
"Hetty, darling" he said. leaning
forward and laying his hand on hers,
She was prepared for the question.
In her heart she knew the time had
come when she must be fair with him.
He observed the pallor that stole into
her warm, smooth cheeks as she re-
garded him hxedly for a long time be-
fore replying.
There is only one person In the
world who can tell you, Brandon. 1t is
for her to decide. mean Sara wran-
dali"
He felt queer, sickening sensation
OF uneasiness sneak into existence. In
the back OF his mind, a hateful fear
began to shape itself For a long time
he looked into her somber eyes, and
as he looked the fear that was hateful
took on something of definite shape.
Did you know her husband?" he
asked. and somehow he knew what the
answer would be.
YES" she replied, after a moment.
She was startled. Her lips remained
parted.
He watched her closely. "Has this
this secret anything To. do with Chal-
lis Wrandall7"
1T has" said she. meeting his gaze
steadily.
His hands clutched the edge of the
table In a grip that turned the knuckles
white.
"Hettyl" he cried, in hoarse whIs-
per. "You-can't mean that YOU"
you must go to Sara" she cried
hurriedly. Haven't told you that she
Is the one"
Were you In love with that Internal
scoundrel?" he demanded nerceiy.
Sara knows everything. She win
tell yqI---"
"W g you carrying on an affair
Wit q while protesting to he the
ffr his wif~2 Tell me thatl Did