The Washington times., 1918-08-28

said Guy. Leave IL to me, Lillian.
You've got enough to think about
at present. with Esther III. and thS
BorradaIe troubles threatening you
III 60 on At once and do what
can III be very discreet In what
say to the police, and I'll run
down to headquarters to make sure
there is no news of Mrs. Meyer'-
that he said to defend himself.
fearing that Lillian might take u
into her head to investigate on hsr
own account-"though feel sure
that the children have not boAn
taken back by her. Then I'll see
Edgar Swan-that u, IL l can md
him-and Pn bring him here to-
morrow morning so that we may
discuss the whole matter. / know
advice Is worth taking, for he u Q
clever fellow"
Lillian was Dalpably very dis
tressed, and she hardly needed
Guys suggestions.
Those two little mortals," abe
sighed 1T will be all the worse
for them IL they have been stolen
for the clothes they are wearing.
They can say 80 little about them
selVes-she was struck by a sud
den idea-"Guy," she cried, do
you think this may be the nrst
manifestation Of spite on the part
of our mysterious enemy? Harold
said l would not be safe as long
as Esther was under my roof, and
he did not know In what direction
the blow might be struck What
about that man who looked like \
gypsy that you saw standing by my
door? Perhaps 1t Is the gypsiss
who have stolen the children"
Guy jumped at the idea and cor
daily agreed that this might be
the case. When Lillian was under
this impression her attention might
be diverted from any considsration
OF Mrs. Meyer.
Don't worry about IL, dear ha
said The children will be found.
bet I will do my utmost, and
SO will Swan Tomorrow ven
hold a conference, but / should
not. be surprised IL I SEND
back the little Meyers to-
night Anyhow, all that mortal
man can do shall be done"
He rose to leave her. Lillian
stretched out her two hands to
him, and there were tears in heP
eyes, as she said:
You are a good fellow, Guy.
Perhaps that Is hardly the way I
should express IL. You have kept
nobly to the compact we made to-
gether. cannot tell you how often
wish / had been q better woman
to you in the past But I never
meant to wrong you. You know
that now, do you not?
"If l had not loved you"
For a moment he held her to
him very closely. this woman Who
had been his wife. He had lonE
ago forgiven her for the trouble
she had brought into his life. He
no longer loved her as he had done
-passionately, ardently. foolishly,
dominated always by her charraA
His love had received too severe q
shock when she had left him and
when he had listened credulousIy
to the many tales that were told
about her. He had misJudged her
then. Later, when he had learned
the truth as to her history, he ad-
mftted this, and, ever since. he had
extended toward her the warmest
friendship and regard He had
never thought, free as he was, to
take another wife Lillian was q
beautiful woman. and he was
proud to feel that his life was still
so closely entwined with hers But
while her husband lived he ad-
mitted no closer relationship than
that which their bond permitted
l do not know what | should
do without you, Guy" she mur-
INJURED. There are times when q
ID L.
upon And you have never refused
me your help and sympathy. There"
she drew herself away from him,
smiling through her tears-"I'vs
been wanting to say something OF
the sort to you for a long tina
past. 1t seems SO strange tnat We
should be so much to each other,
and yet, in a way, so little. It's
rather hard to keep up a reserve
that one does not feel altogether.
But you'll forgive me. won't you?
/ suppose I'm a little emotional
just now, and l think 1t has done
me good to speak out. I'll be the
same as usual to you tomorrow.
Guy.
This Is Just An Interlude.
II care for you always. Lillian
really ceased to care. II It makes
you happy to say that, remember
that / have said it-in this inter
Iude, as you call it, He put one
arm about her this time OF his own
accord, and kissed her warmly.
Some day things may be different
for rs, Lii" he whispered, let ~
live in hopes Of that day. I'm
then
To Be Continued Tomorrow
Copyrighted. ". r. Hearst