The Washington herald., 1914-09-06

white checks. What have to thanl
for this respite?"
! She looked him in the face, and tht
breath seemed to die away in his body
81 think" she said quietly. that yot
know very well-that-that-"
The wonder of it kept him speechless
motionless. There was something in he
face which he had never seen in any
other womans. He felt like a mar
Knocked by a mirage OF impossible joys
1t was surely miracle. this. He coulC
not find any words, but for moment
their hands were clasped together.
"I wanted TO speak to you" she saic
hurriedly There are one or two
things which | must ask you"
You shall ask me whatever you will
and will answer you truly" he as,
sured her.
Are you really Godfrey Paish:"
Yes"
You are very rich, then
Very"
Why did you break into my room?'
Il had Just escaped from prison.
needed money to get away"
And you were in prison for"
For nothing ever did. Please be-
lieve that. 1t is my onlv excuse for
many things"
Il want to believe it" she answered
simply. 81 certainly shall. il YOU tell
me so. Tell me what your plans were
now"
He shrugged his shoulders.
My fortune" he said. was a tardy
recumpense for the act OF injustice
which sent me to prison. knew that
I risked a great deal in coming forward
TO claim it, but had had enough OF
poverty. ! was never known in my
younger days by the name OF Paish. and
| have had fever lately. which has al
tered me. l decided to risk it. thought
that if | could reach Europe safely, ]
could find dozen hiding places
Her eyes filed with tears.
81 am afraid" she said. that you will
not reach Europe safely"
You mean that you will give me up
he asked quietly. at is your duty
You know very well that shall not.
she answered. But there are others
here on board, following YOU"
She told him OF the conversation
which she had overheard, He listened
intently.
81 know the two men" he remarked
u have seen them watching me"
You must try and make terms with
them. she suggested easerIy That
sort OF men are to be bribcd, are they
not"
Generally" he answered; and yet
after all, am not sure that II Is worth
while. | shall be hunted from corner to
corner OF the earth all my life | shall
bring disrepute and scandal upon my
friends. Nothing worth having in life
will be possible for me- think that
will not struggle any more against fate
You must not talk like that" she an
swercd. You are Young man. and
you should have long life before YOU.
He laughed bitterly.
The life behind me has been to
long," he exclaimed.
She dropped her voice.
For my sake" she whispered
Again he looked at her in amazement.
He was still weak from his fever. for
his hands we're trembling.
You cannot mean-that you really
care" he said. in low tone.
She smiled encouragement upon him.
The breakfast gong had sounded, and
they were no longer alone.
Should I he here if | did not" she
whispered.
She played Switchboard badly that
morning. for only a few Yards away
Geoffrey Pai>h and two men were sit
ting together and talking earnestly.
Their chairs were pulled almost to the
rail their heads we're close together 1t
was not possible for her to hear a word
OF their conversation, yet she found her
attention continually diverted toward
them. At last the two men departed.
Gcoffrey Paish was left alone, He sat
with unseeing eyes fixed upon the sky
line. She came softly over to him.
Well"
The men are honest" he answered
"They arc not to be bribed. have Of
fered them half my fortune
She reeled for a moment and then sat
down in one OF the empty chairs.
What arc we to do?' she murmured.
"Oh, what can We do"
For you" he answered. there is
only one thing You must forget. Our
acquaintance must end here We may
renew it perhaps-in the police court"
She looked at his reproachfully. He
was instantly ashamed of himself.
Forgive me- he whispered; but in
deed scarcely know what am saying
Either ! am a little mad or those two
men were They talked like lunatics."