The Washington times., 1918-02-28
Read Right On in Today's
Installment.
Part One-(Continued)

you love me, Esther" he said.
'oh, then, you will open your heart
TO me-for you are my world, dear,
and your troubles are mine. To
whom else should you turn?
Il thought" he went on. quietly,
that you were afraid because you
know that there is a mystery in my
hfe-the Borradale curse, whatever
II may be. But, Esther. darling,
can face that when the time comes,
and ii will be Notwithstanding, II
you love me and I can turn to you
for sympathy" He laughed lightly.
I am not the man to fear shad-
owe" he added.
1.-The Borradale curse" She shud-
dered. 1T is no shadow. But,
Harold"-his name came easily to
her lips-.1 cannot speak; 1 may
not speak-for your sake as well as
my own. But, oh, If 1 could, it
would be to you. Will you believe
that?" The disjointed sentences
came plaintively, pathetically.
The Old, Old Story.
Esther" he said, and his arm
stole about her as IL in protest,
will you be my wife,"
Her head sank upon his shoulder.
She was crying bitterly now. She
could make no answer.
Il want you to be my wife" he
continued in gentle soothin gtones.
Then il will be my right to share
your secrets; OF, dear, II there is
anything in your life that you do
not want to tell me OF. 1 shall not
ask you, but I shall be by your side
TO help and shield you"
How good you are to mellow
Eoodw she sobbed.
She raised her head and olsen
gagged herself from his embrace.
81 cannot. I cannot" she cried
wildly.
but you love me, EsLher?"
yes" she murmured, and then,
"oh, God, but have no right to say
so-no right"
NO right" he cried, and. in spite
OF all. there was a ring OF satisfac-
ton in his voice.
Harold" she whispered. 81 do
love you. And oh, my dear, don't
think that I say you nay because
there is any love in my heart for
another man. 1t would hurt me
SO II you had such a thought OF me.
But I told you once-do you remem-
ber2-that there was a curse on
my life, a curse that would haunt
me to my dying day. can't tell
you of II, no more than you can tell
me of your family skeleton, though
the two terrors are no nearer al
lied, perhaps, than either you or L
know. I can't speak, my lips are
sealed
Must Solve the Puzzle.
But" he cried, and as he spoke,
he drew one OF the long ivy ten
drills to him, and wound and I'M
wound It around his wrist. "But
II there Is really any connection
between your secret and mine, then
all the more, Esther, We should
meet them together
Not now" she answered YEARLY,
"let me think, Harold, though it is
thought and memory which have
saddened me so. You won't change
10 me because OF this?" Her pale
face was upturned to his. "Oh! II
you did II would break my heart.
Change. dear heart" he replied,
Etoutly. do you think that / am
the man 10 change? 1 know you
love me: I know that one day you
will be my wife. I shall not speak
TO you again Of marriage-till' you
tell me ! may. But / shall WrestIe
with you for your secret, and ]
shall crush the vile thing and
thrust 1t out OF your path. You
are not alone, dear, and any peril
that besets you, It is I who will
meet 1t for you. Tell me only, do
you dread actual enemies?"
Yes" she answered family. "and
Il IL not a girlish fancy of mine
indeed, II Is not. There are I'M
scrUpulous people who-but no,
must say no more. 1 think 1 am
safe here as long as keep silence,
but It - terrible to feel that one y