The Washington times., 1918-03-04


present Just say one way or the
other IL you can marry or not"
Am l free?" The question rang
through Esther's brain; "if legally,
am free morally? will hnd out
can fRd out"
Mrs. Borradale, keen OF ear. over
heard her. "If you can find out, Es-
ther, do so without delay-for Har-
| old's sake" She turned to the girl.
and her thin hands were clasped to-
| gether as IL in prayer. For Harold S
sake" she repeated.
Now all 1 ask is Just a simple
answer to the question-will you
marry Hsrold2"
You shall have it,, replied Es-
ther. "Give me two days. Let me
go to New York If needs bel will
return with my answer. In the
meanwhile will not see Harold
there was catch. in her voice as
she spoke-"but> perhaps you will
tell him-why l have gone-that It
is for his sAke---and because l love
him. It's good OF you to believe in
me-" she whispered. from what 1
have said you might have thought
me bad. I'm NOT that-Tm only
very, very unhappy" She turned at
the door. Don't speak Of it again"
she murmuFed, "tilI 1 give you my
answer. 4 couple OF days-no
more" She laughed hysterically as
she left the room.
God be with you, dear" said Mrs.
BorrRdale softly. but the blessing
fell upon deaf ears. for Esther had
stumbled upstairs to her own room
and was busily engaged dressing to
go out.
Am free to marry Harold?"
This was the problem that Esther
had set herself to solve.
She had made up her mind how
she ought to act. Her FIRST visit
must be to the rector, and she must
call upon him to speak. Surely he
would not refuse. surely he would
throw some light upon her troubles?
Esther Goes to the RectOry.
She delayed no longer now that
she had settled what to do. She
made her way direct to the rectory
and asked to see Mr.. Probyn. He
was at home, the servant said, and
would see her at once. Her heart
beat painfully when she heard his
step on the stair, but she did not hes
ltate in her resolve.
Miss Vassell, you wished TO see
me?"
There was a note OF surprise in his
voice.
"Mr. Probyn," she faltered. II
have come to ASK you a question.
] don't wish to interfere with your
private affairs or to attempt to un-
stand anything OF your private af-
fairs or attempt to unearth any
thing in your history which you
wish kept secret have main
tained silence, as you know, and
not a hint that have been previ-
ously acquainted with you has
passed my lips"
But 1 do not understand, Miss
Vassell," he interrupted. You
were acquainted with me before I
came to Helm? I was not con-
scious OF this being so.
Was This the Same Mani
Esther glanced at him quickly.
II he was acting, he played his part
remarkably we'll For a moment
she hesItated, but a glance at his
white hair and the deep cavernous
eyes convinced her that she could
not be mistaken.
You do not wish TO admit IT," she
said, 'and can fully understand
that you desire me TO respect your
silence. I will do so. But, never
theless, you can answer the Ques-
tion that wish to put to you"
Indeed, I DO not understand you.
IL
will willingly answer any question
you like TO put to me II II is in my
power; but will you tell me where
you met me before you came to
Helm
The words were conventional, but
it seemed to Esther that there was
a look in his eyes which dehed her
to speak.
do you know Adderley, Mr..
Probyn?" she asked, firmly.
-Mr. BorrRdale's property? I
know It by repute only"
You have never been there7"
Il have never been there" He
met her wondering gaze calmly and
dehantly. She was convinced that
he was lying, yet 1t was impossible
for her TO accuse him of it.
i will put my question in a dir-
ferent form, Mr.. Probyn." she said.
after a pause. You will not mind
answering 1t l am sure, for It Is of
peculiar Importance to me-"
He bowed formally, and she con-
tinued:
Il wish to know whether a GER
tain marriage is legal and binding
upon the woman who was led into
It"
Was IT against her wiII:" he
asked. sharply.
NO; she consented. But the cers-
mony was performed at midnight,
and in a ruined and long -disused
church"
The ceremony-was 1t performed
by a clergyman"
She looked him fully in the face.
yes"
SWhOm God Hath Joined Let No
Then" he replied, "in the eyes
Of the church that woman is mar
ried.' He raised his arms solemnly.
Those whom God hath Joined let no
man put asunder." His arms fell TO
his side once more, and he resumed
his usual tone; but Esther under
stood that the words had been
spoken as a warning
That evening Esther Travelled TO
New York, where she put up at her