Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-24


Earct listened TO the lowered voices
tho cautious, subdued whispering OF a
sick room.
She'll be all right now" the fingers
on her pulse relaxed. I'll see TO the
others"
Mrs Kcnncdy's across the hall,
doctor" it was woman's voice.
Mrs kennedy! MarEarets chaotic
thoughts beat about the name. Then
from the blurred confusion came a
CONNECTED trend Of events. The e1-
nlosion at the houscboat her frantic
efforts to drag Kcnnedy's unconscious
wife to safety. and then-oblivion.
'First-hand material for a real
mclodrama." Norwood was standing
by the bed smiling down at her within
scally. How soon can you write it,"
What happcned?" she faltered. her
mind clearing. for Norwoods brisk
wholesomeness was like a tonic.
Briefly he detailed the accident. He
had been on shore with Kennedy when
tho explosion occurred. Had she not
dragged Mrs. Kennedy to the deck. il
would have been impossible to have
saved her
OF his own bandaEed hand he would
not speak. but Margaret knew he had
been the first to reach them as she
lost consciousness.
1T wasn't an accident" he went on
grimly. 1t was dastardly attack
on kennedys life. Doyle n man he
had arrested for swindlinS, is out on
bail-that was his revenge. But We
mustn't talk now-you'vc been through
enough for one evening" as reluctan MT
ly, with warm. lingering handclasp
no rose to go.
Mrs. Carter. the hotel housckeeper
prepared Margaret for the night, and
a little later she lay alone in the
darkcned room. staring out at the
moon-lit trees.
II she had failed to save Mrs. Ken
ncdy? II she had tried-but failed
Her mind leapt on 10 visions of her
life with Kennedy. Then with a sharp
sclf-loathing she checked such
thoughts.
The next morning Margarets first
consideration was to get back to the
city-to avoid the awkwardness of
meeting with either Kennedy or Mrs
Kennedy. Dressing quickly, she hur-
ricd down for Il timetable.
Blu, Norwood. meeting her on the
stairs. solicitous as to her complete
recovery. insisted that she breakfast
with him. Margaret was not insen-
siblc to his deepening interest, but
absorbed In her thoughts OF Kennedy
she shrank from any personal note.
Breakfast under way. they we're
talking OF her series for his magazine,
when Kennedy strobe into the dining
| room. Instantly thrilled and confused
by his presence. Marsarets color
deepened betrayinsly.
oh. Miss Warmers an incorrisible
patient" laughed Norwood, as Ken
nedy reproachcd her for having left
her room.
When later they stroned out to the
veranda Mrs. Kennedy us there
Margaret had hoped to avoid this
meeting II was an awkward moment
Her face famed at .fary's warm prais.
| OF her heroism
Why. we'll take you in the car,
We're starting right away" as Mar
garet spoke of going back to town on
the first train.
With helpless dismay, she glanced AZ
Kennedy. This long drive with Mrs.
Kennedy would be constrained and
painful for them both
In half an. hour they were ready IN
start Kennedy sat in front with the
chauffeur The speed of tho car made
| talking difficult, and Margaret was
| glad OF the excuse to be silent
Refusing Mrs. kennedy's invitation
to lunch. Margaret was driven to her
apartment. There she found, thrust
under her door. plain envelope ad-
| dressed in heavily linked scraWL
.,1:.
| unsigned. pernicious message:
Wen get him yeti"
1t meant Kennedy. of course! What
further dangers threatened? Mar
garets first impulse was to call up
to warn him.
| II Mrs. Kennedy should answer and
recognize her voice: Yet. impeiied by
the fear that delay might be fatal
she turned 10 the telephone.
Fortunately. it was Kennedy himself
who answered. Excitedly, she told OF
the note. and to reassure her he said
he would come over at once.
At that moment Mary, on the stairs.
heard his voice. She paused, startled
at the unaccustomed note of solicitude.
You're not going out?" tensely. when
second later he appeared in the hall.
| Dear. you promised to stay with me
| this evening"
I'm sorry. Mary. but it's client"
| the untruth came reluctantly.
! AS the door closed after him she sank
on the steps, her head on her arm. A
client! Always the lying excuse of a
client! How much longer could she
endure this daily humiliation?
In her own room she stood before a
photograph of herself taken ten years
ago. Mercilessly she compared the pic
| tured face with the one in the mirror.
| Was that why Horace was turning
from her? Because she had lost some
thing Of her youth and beauty? Then.
| with keen self-reproach. she realized
that for the past few years she had
not tried to make herself attractive.
She had cared more for comfort than
| for looks.
a long time she gazed into the mir
s,A,.s T. ~