The Washington times., 1918-06-11
The Wolves of New YORK
STORY OF LOVE AND MYSTERY
Harold Is Tempted To End His Life
To Spare Esther From the
BOrrOdale Curse

For having tied you to an unuttsR
ably wretehed creature. Oh, why
did we do it-Why2 We were
warned-your friend, LilIian-,your
cousin Guy-the rector-even Grim
stead. Lillian told you that mar
riage with me would be fatal to our
happiness"
We loved" whispered Esther.
Yes" he returned. his voice
ehoked by emotion. but had
known, what I now know-had I
any suspicion Of II even-my love
would have saved you. for I would
rather have put myself out OF your
life altogether than have submitted
you to this torture"
He writhed in his chair, and his
hands clutched impotentIy At the
air. "Oh, why was / not told bv
some one whose words would have
been more than the warning OF sup
position? We did not believe Lillian
or Guy. We thought we knew an
there was to know. We were wise
In our own conceit, and our love
blinded Us to any realization Of the
truth Ny mother, too-shs was 50
anxious to see us married. I argued
with myself that II there were any
should not be she at least would
tell me the truth. Once I asked her
the question directly. and she told
me to marry in all confidence. She
did not know, poor dear; she
thought she was acting for the
best"
Then, she does not lCnow-what
you have just been toIdT' inter-
rupted Esther.
Betrayed By Grimstead
No-and for her sake I thank
God for It, She knew all that you
know little more. perhaps, but
IT was dangerous knowledge. for
she deceived herself Oh, my poor
mother, fear that when she learns
the truth II will send her to her
grave. She loved me very dearly
and you, too. Esther. She viii
think that she has eonnived our
misery"
"she was dsesivsd-by Grim
stead?'
ain sense. He Is the only one
who could have prevented my mar
rage, and he took no steps TO DO
50. 1t was not to his interest He
sat there before me"LHowatd
spread out his arms with a wide
sweep-"and told me these things
which he knew meant the destrue-
tion Of hope and happiness and the
dear prospects OF my married life
with a smile upon those thin lips OF
his. 4 surprise you? he said. God
in heaven. could have taken him
by the throat and choked the life
out OF him."
Il want to understand she said,
after a moment, as patiently as she
could. Perhaps in time-when he
had recovered his self-possession-
he would tell her more. "All you
have heard Is in connection with
"Yes-with AdderIey-wfth the
Borrodale family-with myself. All
that you know is correct. But Il 10
nothing-nothing to the underly-
ing horror. It is that which may
not speak even to you.
Do not question me, Esther" He
put her gently from him, and rose
to his feet. He stepped across to
the fireplace and looked at the
clOCh- see ne sAlQs II - ULeE
one. You are tired, Esther, worn
put. You must go to rest. In the
we will consider how to
shape our lives. Kiss me, darling.
Ind CO." He stretched out his arms
10 her. She ran to him, and he
folded her in long, passionate en-
brace.
But, you. Harold. you.- she
Whispered when at last he had re-
leased her, you need rest even
more than l."
There is no more rest for me in
his world" he answered, with
choking voice
And behind him Esther saw the
hooking smile OF the china shep-
lerdess.
CONTINUED Tomorrow
tcOpyriEht By W. R. Har5tl