The Washington herald., 1915-04-24

trickling laughter upon her lips she
caught the expression in his eyes and
retreated from him. all eager to be
caught that she might lay her face
against that shoulder she had regained.
Vet with the maiden instinct for flight.
Back-back and Jim laughingiy ad-
vanced toward her, laughing with q Gu
rious sobbing sound intermingled with it.
And then he halted. the shadow of i'm
pending catastrophe gripping its icy
hand upon him, freezing his blood. His
lips uttered a cry of warning, even as
Rita's shrilled forth one of terror and
appeal The ripping of lace sounded as
her heel caught in the ruffle of her boudoar
gown. tripping her. The heavier sound
of falling portieres as she dragged them
down in clutching for support against
the fail. With a sickening crash she
plunged down the stairs.
VI.
DR.. Judd gently withdrew himself from
the clutchng fingers of the Reverend
Deane, He had felt very sorry for this
old man, who, since the day of Rita's
accident, had paced up and downtown
and up outside the mansion. wistfully
scanning the physicians face twhen he
came and went, for news of his dauGh-
ters condition.
hG "dS d Colhpiete sutCpSS
and she is almost able to be about" he
said. then. as the old man turned away
with a sign of relief. but think you
had better come with me today. She
may need you now" He whispered in
the clergyman's ear and the old man
Strengthened as though he had been
stung, his face working convulsively.
Then he nodded quietly and followed the
surgeon to the room where Rita sat in
a chair. her husband standing beside
her.
He did not mind the coldness Of his
son-in-law's reception. did not mind the
hesitancy of his daughters kiss. He
deserved all this. He only wished to
be with her. to help her in her hour
of misery, the misery !he could feel run
ming as an undercurrent beneath DR..
JuddS cherry words.
Yes, little girl. you came through
the operation nobly. 1t was a complete
success. / didn't think you had the
strength for such a battle as you put
up
Rita blushed. looking meanlngly up at
her husband.
Il had just gained untold strength-be-
fore the fall
We'll. it worked wonders. II saved
your life. Mrs. White. And now in a
few days everything will be as II was be-
fore except the happiness of motherhood
can never
Like tiny threads OF steel her fingers
gripped his wrist He nodded. avoiding the
Mortified expression in those eyes. She
did not weep-he only prayed that she
would. She merely stared stonily into
space. Her husband tenderly placed his
hand upon her hair. She did not look at
him. The Rev. Deane was upon his
knees. fondlng her icy fingers. but she
seemed not to be aware of his presence.
DR.. Judd motioned them from the room.
"She must be alone until she recovers
from the shock" he explained.
Alone?
A bitter smile curved her lips as she
stared into space Her eyes were the
eyes of one seeing wraiths. her ears
seemed fairly peaked with the tensity
of her listening.
Alone?
Always alone she would be. Always
alone with the ghosts. Always alone.
listening for the pattering of baby feet
the place. Always alone. search
ing for the "Iosted' ones she never was
to find. though she knew her life would
be consecrated to- the search.
Stonily she stared: eagerly she listened
And no tears would come, would ever
come to soothe and balm the soul Of
her.
WHO PAYS?
The third story. when Justice Sleeps"
in our next issue.