The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-06-04

cOuld not reply.
Il am so sorry, so desperately sorry
for her." added the girl plaintively.
81 know her." the other managed to
say with an effort.
IF had only known that he had
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 sud
den, fierce fire in their depths.
God in heaven, no! I did not know
it 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 a curious light in her eyes
that escaped the others notice-a
light that would have puzzled her not
little
But you will tell me-everything-
little later" she said, strangely calm
mot now, but-before many hours
have passed. FRS ~ all, you must
tell me who you are, where you live
everything except what happened in
Burton's inn. l don't want to hear
that at present-perhaps never. Yes,
on second thoughts, l 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. Il have right
| to defend myself"
Il 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 I 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 last, 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 q
word.
Nov 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 confession. l dc
not care to know what happened there
1t will make it easier for me to protec1
you. You may call it conscience
Keep your big secret to yourself. No
one word to me. Do you understand? 2
you mean that l am not to reveal
even to you, the causes which led VI
to"
,, Nothing absolutely nothing" sait
Mrs. Wrandall firmly.
But l cannot permit you 20 judg,
me, towel, you might say to acqui
me-without hearing the story. 1t is 81
, vital to me-
Il can judge you without hearing al
of the-the evidence, If that's wha
you mean. Simply answer the ques
. tons l shall ask, and nothing more
:, There are certain facts l must hav
from you if am to shield you. Yo1
\ must tell me the truth. l take it yo1
| are an English girl. Where do yo
| live? Who are your friends? Wher
is your family?"
! The girls face flushed for an instan
and then grew pale again.
Il will tell you the TRUTH" she sale
my name is Hetty Castleton. Ny fl
Their is Col. Braid Castleton of - q
the British army. My mother is deae
She was Kitty Glynn, at one time
= popular music hall performer in Lo1
! don. She was Irish. She died tw
! years ago. My father was a gentle
Z man l do not say he is a gentleman
4 for his treatment of my mother r,
4 lieves him from that distinction H
4 is in the far east, China, / think.
\ have not seen him in more than f1v
q years. He deserted my mother. That
all there is to that side of my story
appeared in two or three of til
B musical pieces produced in Londo
two seasons ago, in the chorus.
never got beyond that for very goo
= reasons. l was known as Hetty Glynl
y, Three weeks ago / started for Ne
York, sailing from Liverpool. Prev
ously l had served in the capacity {
] governess in the family of John Blu
y long, brewer. They had son,
k young man of twenty. Two month
:; ago l was dismissed. A Californ1
% lady, MIS- Holcombe, offered me a 81
a uation as governess to her two littl
re girls soon afterward. J was to go
II her home In San Francisco. She pr
vided the money necessary for tt
S, voyage and for other expenses. Sh
le is still in Europe. l landed in Ne
II York fortnight ago and, followin
le her directions, presented myself at
certain bank-I have the name som
where-where my railroad tickle
re were to be in readiness for me, wit