The Parker post., 1917-06-02

In soNe work for MIR. Otley. Every
evening John watched the Otley home.
Nellie apparently saw no visitors, and
did not go any place where she was
likely to meet Burlingame.
One afternoon, however, an incident
of John. He saw Nellie meet the
pOstman at the gate, receive letter,
thrust 1t hastily into her pocket and
hurry to part Of the house lot where
the Shrubbery was thickest. John was
resting beyond the hedge, where he
could view her plainly. Nellie read
the letter eagerly. Her face bright
ened, and then as If bent on answer
ing it at once, she hurried towards the
house to go TO her room. A white OBJ
brushed by some bushes. John was
at the spot as soon as Nellie reached
the house. He rapidly read the mis-
sive, and then, as Nellie reappeared
from the house, dropped the letter and
nastened to covert.
Nellie recovered the letter with
glad smile and once more disappeared.
Facing up and down beyond the hedge,
John wore grave, perplexed look
upon his face.
The letter, as he had suspected, was
from Burlingame. Others had passed
between that individual and Nellie,
and this one was the result Of the
secret correspondence. Burlingame
wrote that the only course open was
an elOpement. At certain hour,
near certain place, an automobile
would be waiting for Nellie the next
evening. 1t would speed with her to
where Burlingame would be awaiting
her. A hasty marriage, brief hon
eymoOn and they would return home
ITO be forgiven"
"The scOundrel.' commented John
hotly. what had | better do?'
1t was in his power through com
plete exposure of Burlingame to pre-
vent the elopment. but he feared a
woman's willful temper. No, he would
unmask the villain In way that
would drive Nellie forever away from
the man whose false pretensiOns had
daZzled her.
Nellie arrived at the rendezvous in
lonely country lane. and the muf-
fied-up chauffeur simply nodded as If
to indicate that he had explicit or
ders. There was rapid spin. An
hour later the machine entered dark
street in the great city. The chauf-
feur hurried Nellie into dimly lit
building, up a flight of stairs, pushed
open a door, and she stood, puzzled
and trembling, in the presence Of a
poorly dressed woman. The apart
ment bore signs Of abject poverty, a
little babe slept in broken-down
cradle. The woman fixed wearied, al
most Indifferent eyes upon her.
"Where isl do not understand"
began Nellie, shrinking back.
THAT you meet Mrs. Burlingame In
stead Of Mr.. Burlingane?" demanded
the woman In a tone Of bitterness.
eyes, I am his wife, and your best and
truest friend has brought you here,
first, to see the neglected wife, and
then the husband, if you still cherish
the thought that Vance Burlingame,
or David Martin, as he really is, can
be worthy Of any woman's love-"
Nellie Otley blinded with tears,
fairly staggered from that poor room
after the dismal story of a hearts
shipwreck had been recited.
ooh, take me back hOme-don't de-
lay, don't deceive me-" she walled.
ooh, John John! truest friend in
deed, I have lost even you'
IL will take you home, Nellie" spoke
the muffled chauffeur revealing him
self. Poor child think no more Of
all this, and forgive me if have been
harsh.''
"Oh, John !" sobbed Nellie, Il have
been wicked willful girl. I never
loved that wretch. 1t was vanity, OBJ
stinacy, because l was scolded-what
must you think of me !''
THAT you are the sweetest, dearest
girl in the world" declared the
staunch loyal fellow, and Nellie eager
and trembling and happy, moved up
close to him and snuggled there, con-