The Washington times., 1918-02-12

neatly upon HOInlnS Sn6 dSh60
Then, without waiting for an answer
she assisted Esther into her CLOAK
and busted herself adjusting the thick
veil. She herself was wearing rich
furs, and Esther noticed the heavy
pearl earrings and the glitter Of the
diamond rings on her slim, white
fingers; also the outside Of a silk
skirt under the heavy cloak. AS the
chiffon veil descended over the girls
face she felt as if she was being
enveloped in filmy mist; the sensa-
ton was peculiar and unpleasant.
Outside the street wore an .un-
familiar aspect as Esther glanced al
it from behind her veil. at is the
way one sees things in a dream
she murmured to herself.
The .chauffeur-a dream creature
too-wrapped rugs about her, and
without a word, ministered to her
comfort. She had been placed on
the front seat, next to that which
he had occupied. Esther wondered
at this till her mysterious compan-
ion sprang to the drivers place. \
1--WE are going alone" he said.
"You' may trust me, for l am thor
oughly experienced"
Esther breathed a sigh of relief.
Somehow the presence of this man,
with his ugly spectacles that sug-
gested a mask, troubled her.
The monster upon which she rode
shuddered convulsively, snorted def
ance Of humanity that created it, and
then yielded obedience to woman's
hand.
Esther closed her eyes. This was
her first experience in an automobile,
and the sensation at once pleased
and terrified her.
She had taken no account Of direc-
ton. Familiar streets and scenes
were unrecognizable to her. She
had a vague notion that they were
travelling north and west, but this
was because she had caught sight of
the letters of a street sign, at the
time they conveyed little to her
mind.
Going, She Knew Not Where.
A succession of long dark streets,
now and again the rapid crossing Of
a busy thoroughfare, a maze Of in
tricate by-ways-perhaps purposely
involved-mean rows of houses sue
ceeded by rows more mean, squalid
corners and corners illuminated by
flaming saloons; the motor car sped
on, two women its sole occupants,
met everywhere with wonderment or
derision, according to the particular
feeling of the locality.
"Have we far TO go?" hazarded
Esther at last. They had been driv-
ing some half hour by now, and the
silence between them had been COM
plete.
eyes, long way" was the an
swer, "but we shall be clear Of the
street soon and able 10 make better
pace. l am avoiding the high roads
so as to keep away from the traffic.
This is a busy part of New York
and at this time of the evening ev-
eryone is about. Two women alone
in motor would cause remark"
At that moment they emerged
from dark street into broad, open
brilliantly Illuminated
and more reminiscent to Esther of
the New York of her acquaintance.
Her desire to scream subsidized in a
gasp of relief, a sound which
caught her companions ear.
What is the natter" she asked.
81 don't know. ! was afraid. l
think. have never been in an auto
mobile before, and everything seems
SO strange. Those narrow streets
and the horrible people-oh, wish
you could tell me where we are 90
ing and what ! have to do. Don't
you understand this tension, this
suspense, hurts?' Esther painted as
she spoke. The woman looked down
At her not without anxiety. She
had slackened the pace of the car.
"Of course it must" she returned,
but whatever you see and hear to-
hight you must bear in mind that
10 i'll will befall you. Trust your
'elf blindly to me, and have no fear.
would tell you more if / could, but
ny lips are sealed-as yours must
,e, Esther"-she added impressively,
lsing the girls Christian name for
ne first time. 1T is of the most