The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-09-25

had no cause for jealousy. thought Les
lie bitterly Il was obvious to all on
board that she cast her sirens spell
over the young officer.
"V. s." has deceived more than one
woman" She repeated the cruel
words again and again. What could
this mean?
In case Of difficulty advise v. s."
Perhaps that other message might
prove . way out of her dilemma. Vic
tor was the only person on earth to
whom she could speak freely Of these
things. One determination began to
take shape and to stand out clearly
In her mind from the background Of
blank indecision. At all costs she must
see Victor Steele.
There was no help for 1t. She must
go back again over the long. weary
journey to London without delay. She
glanced at the clock in the hotel
lounge. She would just have time to
catch the next train to Glasgow and
could get on to London by the night
train. She supposed she would get
there between 6 and in the morning.
With luck she might hope to see Vic
tor and return by 2 o'clock She hated
leaving Jimmy even for and hour-he
was all she had left now to cling to-
She cashed q check at the office with
ccmpunction. The money she was
spending 80 lavishly was In reality Os-
wald's-the allowance he made her as
his wife. She considered herself emit
tied to the $500 q year which her uncle
had intended to leave her; but this
sum, which she would once have re-
garded as . comfortable income, now
seemed to her q ridiculously made
Quate dress allowance. She might pres
emily be called upon to live on it.
Leslie Begins to p.
curtaiI Expenses.
She began her economies by travel
ing third-class beyond Glasgow and
foregoing the luxury of q sleeping-car.
She was utterly dispirited by the dis
comforts Of the journey.
She reached Euston faint and hag'
gard. She wondered how any OF those
who saw her drag herself Imply to the
refreshment-room and patiently await
a cup of coffee would believe that she
had but to telephone, and whole
household Of servants would be tumb-
ling out of their beds to prepare for
her Homecoming at q house in Wilton
place. The situation seemed grotes-
que. And If she had not met Victor
at Jerusalem she would have gone on.
perhaps to the end Of her days, never
doubling that she was Oswald Var
ney's wife.
It was far too early yet to call upon
Victor. She walked into the London
streets. down the Tottenham Court
road to Oxford street.
She had been walking mechanically
L. 80 80
Piccadilly circus she paused. It would
be little compromising and unusual
to call upon a reputedly single man in
his chambers at this informal hour
Of the morning. On the other hand.
together II they met outside. OF the
two dangers she chose the second. She
entered a post office and was about
to write an express message, when it
occurred to her that telegram would
ing of the sender. She telegraphed:
Steele, 200 Jenny street. Meet me
ten o'clock entrance British Museum.
Urgent-L."
She could not imagine a spot where
she was less likely to meet any Of o.
wald's friends.
len SlI UCh, duu WIFI q 6IduSc up
and down the street she entered the
courtyard and mounted the steps of
the vast gloomy building. She sat down
on one Of the seats under the peris-
lyle.
Every one seemed In high spirits.
She turned her face from side to side,
weary for want of sleep, sick with fear
and impotence. Eagerly she scanned
every male form that appeared be-
tween the open gates. Time after time
she was deceived by some figure taller
than the rest. She closed her eyes, de-
Gliding not to open them for another
two minutes. When she looked up Mrs.
Melas was standing before her.
The two women stared at each 9TH
er-Leslie in blank amazement; Jenny
Melas, as she was Immediately con-
scious with glance Of malicious en-
joyment. ..
This is a pleasant surprise" said
Leslie, extending her hand; Il thought
you were in Paris"
Mro Molaa iDnored the hand mid