The Washington times., 1918-03-09

the real Lillian.
"Oh," she murmured. why did
you ever bring me here in the first
place? Oh, Lillian, why did you
do it?"
why did I?' returned the other
bitterly. 81 am sorry for II, Esth-
er; more sorry than you will ever
understand. II Is no good asking
you to forgive me, for the mischief
has been done, and there Is no rem
edy for it-none. But should like
you to believe that / was forced to
do as I did by circumstances that I
cannot control. that I am as much
q victim in my way as you are.
Will you believe this, dear7"
Yes" answered Esther. family:
'but how I wish that you could
explain everything to me. It would
make things so much easier to
bear"
No Explanation For It All.
''That is the most abominab1e
part of it ALL" cried Lillian. MY
tongue is tied just as yours must
be. have been dragged into this,
Esther. like yourself. and it has
been the ruin of my life"
Esther had struggled to her feet,
but her limbs were very feeble, and
she leant heavily upon the arm OF
her friend.
Can we go away?" she murmur-
ed. at was to see you 1 came,
but 1 am so terribly shaken that I
cannot quite collect my thoughts.
Is there no way out of the park
without going around by the lodge?
Perhaps in the wood ! could rest a
little and feel safe"
Yes, there is a way" answered
Lillian, 81 will go with you-but
you need fear no danger now"
The horror-She thing that pur-
sued us7"
you have not seen him." Lii
liam turned with sudden alarm in
her voice.
"No. no. have not seen him,
but am afraid. thought he had
killed you that night, Lillian"
HE nearly did" The woman put
her hand to her throat, round which
she wore a black band OF velvet.
But he IL safe now-don't trouble
about him"
"HOw Came You Here?" She Asked
Lillian, does he kill men7 Was
It he"-began Esther fearfully.
Hush" interrupted the woman.
There are things OF which you
must not speak. Tell me instead
how you came into the vault"
Esther was struggling to collect
her thoughts. 81 came to find you,
Lillian" she said. "Ths lawyer, the
horrid old man who made me sign
that paper-is not his name Grim
stead7"
"GrimsteadT You saw him?"
Yes. I found out his name and
address"
You should not have done so.
Esther; IT was unwise"
Il wanted to find you. That was
all I asked him. Guy did not know
where you were"-
"Guy7"
MY cousin, Guy Hooking. Oh,
Lillian, I know that you are his
wife. He showed ME your por-
trait
"Ah, you know that" LiIIian's
voice shook a little as she answer
ed. you have found out things.
Esther, that you had better not
have known"
Il could not help It. But I have
told nothing. although 1 have felt
that l have been watched and al
though was carried off-for what
purpose 1 can't guess-by a man
who was evidently in the secret"
That scoundrel called Tweedle-
dee. i heard Of that. I'm glad that
ne Is dead. 1t won't happen again,
Esther. Well?"
LILLIAN, 1 Love Harold" she Said.
81 did not even tell Harold,
though he begged me to"
Mr.. Borradale? Is II true that
you are In love with hIm?"
Yes" whispered Esther, land he
asked me TO be his wife. What
could say? 1t was a matter that
anected all my future happiness. I
did not think l was legally bound
to anyone else, and / wanted to find
out IL could be released from nv
bond. ! had none to turn to, for
the rector at Helm would not speak
or admit he had ever seen me before,
though l am certain he is the man
who married mean I not right,
Lillian" She spoke excitedly. She
was recovering her strength in the
fresh morning air.
Il must not answer you" replied
the woman, but go on with your
story. 1t is best that I should know
all, for will help you where l
can"
81 went to see Mr.. Grimstead.
threatened him with the police II he
did not speak. He sent me down
hero to see you-"
He told you that you would find
me hereT'
Yes, at 10 o'clock last night YOU
were to be either at the house or in
the Lodge"
"Silenee or DEATH" Warns Lillian.
Lillian gripped her tightly by the
arm. Never take such advice
again. Esther" she said forcibIy. IL
want TO impress that upon you for
your own sake. Never come here
again unless It is I who brings you
you will run a terrible risk, Keen
the compact which you have made
you must, hard as It has become
for you. There is no other way-if
you value your life. am saving
this to you very seriously. 1t is my
answer to the question which you
came to ask"
They had reached the boundary
Of the park by now. and, as Lillian
spoke, she unfastened high narrow
gate that opened into the wood.
with key, which she took from her
pocket After they had passed out
she carefully locked the gate again.
thick hedge, too high to be seen
over Raparated the park from, 81