Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-12

With the chauneur's coat and the lap
robe over his wet clothes. Kennedy sat
in brooding silence as they drove back
to town.
1t had not been a pleasant expert
ence. Although n good swimmer. the
chill of the water had brought a
paralyzing cramp. There had been a
panicky moment when he felt ne could
not even keep afioat.
In that moment, he had relived all
the hopeless ENHANCEMENT OF the past
year-the wretchcd muddle he had
made of his own life and OF the appi-
ness of the two women who loved him.
Something OF this feeling still lin
Ecred, and it prompted note of re-
sponsivcness to Mary's lowering So
licitude.
Urged by her instructions to drive as
fast as safety permitted, the chauffeur
sped them over the ten miles in less
than half an hour.
OF their former intimacy. Mary prepar-
ed a hot bath and laid out his fresh
clothes.
In vague way the accident had
drawn them closer. In spite of her
anxiety. Mary came nearer to happi-
ness that afternoon and evening than
she had for months.
IT was a small. ugly. scantily fur
nished room. There was nothing to
suggest the alluring advertisement:
y widow will rent pleasant sunny
room in her attractive. newly furnish
cd cottage.
While neither attractive nor newly
furnished. to Margaret it was secure
to her disrupted life.
She had given the address. only to
Norw God. to whom she had written ex-
planning briefly that because of her
sudden decision to move, she could not
finish the story until the end of the
week.
Yet II she was to cut herself off en-.
tirely from her old life. might it not
he better If she did not see even Nor
wood? What if he should construe her
separation from Kennedy as favorable
to his suit?
She shrank from that possibility. Her
love and longing for Kennedy made
her turn with adherence from the
thought Of other attentions.
slight sound at the window. II
was nothing of course-only her un-
strung nerves. Mrs. Bailey. the widow,
had gone to a neighbours for the even
ing. and Margaret was alone In the
isolated cottage. She was trying TO
work-to condense and crisp" the
dialogue of her story.
Again the sound at the window rose
above the click OF her typewriter. ST.
lence. Then a furtive step. that filled
her with cold fear. The next moment
the sash was thrown up. and a man
leapt into the room. His SLOUGH hat
drawn low half concealed his face.
Margaret speechless cowed back
against the wall
II want those letters Kennedy wrote
you!" advancing threatcningly.
Il burnt them" through her terror
was a note of triumph.
ooh. you did. eh?" with sneering dis
belief. well you don't put that over
Now you come across with those let
tcrs-or-"
Rushing steps across the porch-a
flung weight against the Coor.
With q muttered oath. the Intruder,
releasing his hold on Margarets arm,
sprang to the window and swung out
The door flew open and Norwood
burst into the room. He dashed first
to the window, then seeing pursuit was
useless. he turned to Margaret. White
and trembling, she was crouching
against the wall.
Very gently he quieted' her. while she
chung to him with deepening realiza-
ton OF the protection and security he
seemed always to bring. Sobbingly.