The Washington herald., 1916-06-25

riage than his former prospects had war;
ranted.
But the news must be broken to her
soon or late. So, finishing his rather
meager packing. and having an hour or
so to spare before meeting Leonard at
Dorley's restaurant. he made up his mind
to have the ordeal over with. and to
tell his tidings and say good-by at the
same time.
Accordingly, somewhat late in the even
ing, he left his own lodgings and suit
case in hand. set forth for the studio
street in which Elsie Drayton lodged.
Elsie's tiny apartment was in a ram
shackle building devoted to cheap ateliers
and presided over by an ugly and elderly
janitress. Mrs. Wigs by name.
Mrs. Wiggs, from her own quarters at
the end of the hall. heard Marters foot
steps on the stairs and peered out See
Ing Edwin halt at Elsies door. she
nodded and returned to her room. She
knew of the engagement and was used
to seeing Martel call at the girls apart
ment.
Elsie, recognizing the knock, came run
ming TO the door to admit her lover.
'Oh, I'm so glad-so glad to see you"
she greeted him. I've been crying my
eyes out because I was afraid you were
going to let New Years Eve go by with
out coming to see me. / thought it
meant you were getting tired of me. I
tried to get you on the telephone, but
L What's in the suitcase?" she broke
of her speech of welcome. "A New
Years present for me?'
"In-in n way New Years present
for both of u.s." he evaded.
For both of us?" she repeated. You
mean it's something for the house when
we get married?"
Not exactly" he said, finding 1t hard
to come to the joint II mean it repre-
sents our chance-my chance to make
good and"
1T must be a pretty sorrowful chance"
she commented. Ito judge by your face.
Why, Ed, you look as If you'd lost your
best friend. What's the matter, dear?"
Il want to talk something over with
you," he said. setting down the suit
case in a corner Of the room and coming
back to where she stood. Something
that means a lot to US both"
Ed she insisted. Something horri-
Bile has happened. I can tell from your
face. What is it?''
Why. /"
IF it's money" she interviewed. won't
you let me help you out? / got check
today for. that Harding sketch and I'm
ever so flush. I'd love to lend you all
of it."
Little girl" he said. touched at her
offer and taking her in his arms as he
spoke, ITS dear Of you to want to let
me have your money But haven't sunk
low enough yet, to borrow from II woman.
And II l make good on this expedition
I'll have cash to start life square. III"
Expedition" she echoed. What ex-
pedition?"
lie drew a long breath and nerved him
Ga1 fN h =.
I'm at the end of my resources" he
began. You know that. I'm out OF
work and with no chance to get a Job
that will pay me a marrying salary"
But"
But I have an offer" he hurried on.
AN offer that will mean everything to
me-to beth of US"
An offer? You mean an DER of a
job? Isn't that splendid? Tell me about
it."
John Leonard has offered me splen-
did salary and chance for big ad-
vance-if III join his expedition to
Brazil"
ITO Brazil?" she gasped.
Yes. We sail at , o'clock tomorrow
morning. With luck we ought to be back
here in six months or so. And"
Il don't think that's a very amusing
joke, Ed" she interrupted. 1T isn't nice
TO say things-even in fun-to frighten
people. Especially people who love you"
1T isn't a joke" he said miserably.
It's true. We sail at o'clock. I've
come to say goOd-by. I'm to meet Leonard
at Dorleys at half past eleven. to"
Ed" she cried. aghast. You're not
you're not in earnest"
Yes" he told her. And it's the
chance of lifetime. It'll mean we can
marry much sooner than we thought we
could Perhaps as soon as get back
The salary"
But the girl cut short his explanation
by throwing her arms about his neck
and bursting into spasm of uncontrolled
weeping.
Ed" she moaned brokenly You
Can't-you can't-do this. You can't mean
that you are going away to leave me
all alone! For more than half a year,
too! Why. you wouldn't do such a cruel
thing. dear! You wouldn't. l love you
so"'
Little girl" he said, soothing her as
best he could. don't take it that way,
Don't, dear! Won't you be sensible and
look on the other side of It? 1t means
an absence from you: but only so that
we can be together again, and so that
we can marry. Why. as things are now
we might have to wait for years before
NNNtu SCI n mari ) IlS JUL ana lnlS
trip will mean"
You shan't Go!" she sobbed hysteri-
cally. You shan't do it. You asked me
to marry you. You made me love. And
now you want to desert me-"
Don't be so absurd" he commanded.
his nerves raw. You talk as If I were
trying to get rid of you instead of"
And so you are! You are"
Instead of going into exile and peril
and hardship for your sake! l came here
to be strengthened and cheered for my
journey. And instead you are taking
the heart all out of me, by
That's right she cried shakily.
Blame me! Desert me and then blame
me for it. Oh. 1 wish I was dead! Ed
Martel. If you loved me one atom you
couldn't talk of going away from me
like this"
Lord preserve US from a woman who
Is determined to be a fool" groaned
Martel. Elsie, for heavens sake, pull
yourself together and try to help me in
stead of being a milestone around my
neck"
IT'S a milestone you're going to cast
off, she scoffed tearfully, so what diff
ference does 1t maker"
I'm not casting you off" declared the
exasperated man. I've tried to explain
for the last half hour that I'm going on
this expedition only to help us get ahead
In the world