The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-11-17
CHAPTER IIl-Continued.

II didn't have any money to speak
of, but had some jewelry-my moth
er's-and he was to take that and
pawn it for money to get married
with"
ST 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 seat little dis
tance away, with 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"
81 beg your pardon. I didn't mean
to-"
Its only-only that you make me
think Of what you must be thinking
about me"
you've had narrow but a won
derfully lucky escape"
"Oh! But I'm not glad
l was desperate"
81 mean," he interrupted coolly,
from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
is, you're not married to 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"
"Eave 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. I knew it wouldn't do any good,
but / 1 told him everything. He
didn't answer. He won't, ever"
she bent forward, elbows on knees,
head and shoulders cringing.
ut hurts SOL" she walled :.
what people will think =. the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame of
this! I've earned my punishment
"Oh, say"
: "But 1 have, because-because l
didn't love him. I didn't love him at
all, and 1 knew it, even though I meant
to marry him.
'fBut, why-in Heavens name?"
Because 1 was so lonely and
misunderstood 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 l
ran away with a man / didn't love
because wanted freedom and a little
happiness"
rGood Lord!" he murmured beneath
his breath, awed by the pitiful, childish
simplicity of her confession and the
deep damnation that had waited upon
her.
$50 it's overt" she cried-"over, and
Pve learned my lesson, and I'm dis
graced forever, and friendless and"
'"Stop right there!" he checked her
roughly You're not friendless yet
and that nullifies all the rest. Be
glad you've had your romance and
learned your lesson"
"Please don't think I'm not grateful
for your Kindness" she interrupted.
'sBut the disgrace-that can't be blot
ted out !"
ooh, yes, it can," he insisted bluntly.
There's way l know"
glimmering of that way had only
that instant let q little light in upon
the darkness of his solicitous distress
for her. He rose and began to walk
and think, hands clasped behind him,
trying to make what he had in mind
seem right and reasonable.
You mean beg my father to take
me back. I'll die first!'
There mustn't be any more talk,
or even any thought, Of anything like
chat. l understand too well to ask the
impossible of you But there is one
way out-a perfectly right Way-if
you're willing and brave enough to
AXE a chance-a long chance"
Somehow she seemed to gain hope
Of his tone. She sat up, following him
with eyes that sought incredulously to
believe.
'Have 1 any choice?" she asked.
I'm desperate enough
God knows" he said, you'll have
to be"
'"Try me-"
He paused, standing over her.
desperate enough to marry q man
who's bound to die within six months
and leave you free? I'm that man ::
the doctors give me six months more
of life. Will you take my name to
free yourself? Heaven my witness,
you're welcome to 1t"
"oh," she breathed, aghast, what
are sou s,stnST'