News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-09-27
CHAPTER Ill.
Mrs. Whitaker,

Ill SYMPATHY WIFI tne girl SoDDlIS-
like telegraph wires singing in gale
his mind busy with many thoughts,
strangely new and compelling, wearing
q fresh complexion that lacked alto
gether the coloring of Self-intereSt.
He mixed a weak draught of brandy
and water and returned to the bedside.
She made an effort to rise. The eff
feet was quickly apparent in the color
that came into her cheeks, faint but
warm. After a moment she asked:
'Please-who are your
"My name is Whitaker" he said
want to be known, so registered as
Hugh Morten. They mistook me for
your husband"
The girl swung to her feet.
Il want to tell you something" She
faced him bravely, though he refused
Wont you listen?"
He crossed to a window, where he
stood staring out. "Id rather not" he
said SOFTLY ''but if you prefer"
81 do prefer" said the voice behind
him. "I-I'm Mary Ladislas."
'Yes," said Whitaker
81 ran away from home last
week-fve days ago-to get married
to our chauffeur Charles Morton :"
She stammered.
please don't go on, if it hurts" he
begged without looking around.
va pDt tD-T'Va Uot to rrn+ ~ o,,Or
with. We were at Southampton,
at my fathers summer home-I mean,
that's where l ran away from. He
Charley-drove me over to Greenp0rt
anC l took the ferry there and came
here to wait for him. He went to New
York in the car, promising to join me
here as soon as possible. :"
And he didn't come" Whitaker
wound up for her, when she faltered.
"How much money of yours did he
take with him?"
There was a brief pause of aston |
fshment. what do you know about
that?' she demanded.
Il know good deal about that type |
of man." he said grimly.
Il didn't have any money to speak
of, but l had some jewelry-my moth
ers-and he was to take that and
pawn it for money to get married
with"
? 81 see."
The girl in her turn went to one Of
the windows, standing with her back
to the room. Whitaker drew a chair
for her and took a seat a little dis
lance away, with a keen glance ap-
praising the change in her condition.
She seemed measurably more COM
posed and mistress of her emotions,
though he had to judge mostly by her
voice and manner so dark was the
room.
'.Don't!" she cried sharply. "Please
don't look at me So"
II beg your pardon. didn't mean
to"
ITS only-only that you make me
think of what you must be thinking
about me-"
you've had a narrow but won
derfuIly lucky escape"
|
l was desperate"
81 mean," he interrupted coolly,
"from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
is, you're not married to a black
guard"
"Oh, yes, yes!" she agreed passion
ately.
"And you have youth, health, years
of life before your
He sighed inaudibly
"You wouldn't say that, if you under
stood"
"Have you thought of going home?
Have you written to your father-ex-
plained?'
81 sent him a special delivery three
days ago, and--and yesterday a tele-
gram. l knew it wouldn't do any good,
but told him everything. He
didn't answer. He won't, ever"
She bent forward, elbows on knees,
head and shoulders cringing.
1T hurts so!'' she walled
"what people will think the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame of
this! I've earned my punishment"
"Oh, say"
"But L have, because-because l
didn't love him. / didn't love him at {
all, and knew it, even though meant {
to marry him. :"
"But, why-in Heavens Manner
Because 1 was so lonely and
and unhappy at home.
No mother, never daring to see my {
sister (she ran away, too) my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but my father to bully
me and make cruel fun of me because
I'm not pretty. That's why
ran away with a man l didn't love
because 1 wanted freedom and little
happiness"
"Good Lord ~ he murmured beneath
bis breath, awed by the pitiful, childish