Gilpin observer., 1915-03-25

AND now they were nome again, ana
Ellen, sulking in her boudoir, was in
formed that her new mother was wait
ing for her at her fathers side. Sulk
lily the girl ran downstairs and entered
the living room. Then, as Zoe stretched
out her arms to gather the child to her
heart, Ellen calmly put out one hand.
A moment later she had left the
room. She rushed upstairs, fung her
self down ON her bed. and wept bitter
ly and furiously. For tongues had not
been idle, and everyone knew where
Judson Holmes had made his second
wife's acquaintance.
And society was not inclined to be
lenient. Zoe found herself, the
hostess, virtually ostracized by the
women who called on the occasion Of
her first reception. She wandered
among them. like some forgotten
ghost, out into the conservatory;
stood there, looking indecisively upon
the gay gathering, then
She heard a mans tones come from
behind the row Of begonias and scent
ed, tropical plants that screened the
little nook at the far end. +
Come away with me tonight" she
heard him saying. I'VE can be mar.
| ried-"
She stood still. paralyzed with hor-
rOr She knew the voice only too we'll.
And the words were words which had
been said to her. 1t was the same
cruel scene, played over, with another
for the victim.
| Faint and numb, she dragged herself
away. AS she did SO she heard two
people rise; then Ellen came toward
her, half repentant, and introduced the
I man at her side.
Il want you to know my friend Mr..
Halsey Burnes." she said
| vi.
We'll? What If you heard?" de-
manded Halsey truculently
DO you think am going to let her
life be ruined as mine has been" de-
manded Zoe in turn. equally resolute.
Who spoke of ruin?" answered the
man. I'VE are simply going to get
married quietly, so as to avoid any
fuss. What is there wrong in that?"
"Only you forget you told me that
you are married, Halsey." Zoe re-
turned.
The man caught at her wrists and
held them in his furious grasp.
What's that to you?" he exclaimed,
shaking with passion. What do you
suppose you have on me? What do
you imagine Judson will think If | tell
him the truth about his wife? That
she was my cast-off plaything-"
'Halsey! Have you no heart. no
conscience? Do not drag down and
ruin that trusting girl as you did me!
| cannot keep silence"
But you will keep silence, because
to speak means your utter destruc-
tion," Halsey returned and passed into
the reception room. leaving the
wretched woman clinging for support
to the conservatory door.
She watched the throngs within, she
thought Of Ellen, of the girls future.
There was none for herself If she let
Halsey accomplish his wretched work
she could never face Judson again.
And she knew that without giving him
her confidence. even at the risk of los
ing him, her position would be made
intolerable.
At that moment, raising her eyes,
she saw Halsey and Ellen standing to-
gether in a far corner Of the reception
room. Her mind was made up. She
beckoned to the butler as he passed
carrying a tray.
ASK Mr.. Holmes to step into the
conservatory" she said.
VII.
Zoe had told him all. She had not
at the change in him, at the man with
the flaming eyes who stood before her,
confronting Halsey.
In the presence of that anger Hal.
sey's projected revenge withered like
a dead branch cast into a fire. He slut.
tered and hung his head.
IF you are in this city in twelve
hours I'll shoot you!" thundered
Holmes.
Halsey raised his head; his eyes
were bloodshot, and his gaze, as II
fastened upon Zoe. was of unutterable
hatred. He turned away as Ellen came
quickly in.
you wanted me, papa?" she began
why Halsey? Papa, what has"
Come here. Ellen" said Holmes
sternly. You are intending to elope
with this scoundrel this very night"
you have no right, papa"
''He is already married. Look at hts
facet"
Ellen looked and saw; and, as Hal.
sey went quickly toward the door, she
flung herself into her fathers arms
and wept In utter establishment.
Zoe went quietly toward the recep
ton room. It would be easy to slip
out Of the house. or course she would
not return. 1t was doubtful whether
Judson would see her, engrossed as he
was with Ellen. She would
| "Znofv