The Washington times., 1918-08-06
(ContInued from Yesterday


You have been very good to me,
BASIL" answered the girl, land
have been comforted by the knowl-
edge Of your"-she hesitated-"your
love. 1 admit it. and am not
aahamed to admit it Over and
over again, when life has seemed
nnbearably hard. and when I have
Heen alone and miserable in my SOL
ssuoe, have thought Of you and
TOLD myself that you cared for me
20, Whatever happens, Basil, you
< VIII never be the same to me as
: any other man. It was in my ma
ture to ask for love. I was warm
or heart and impulsive. 1t is not
natural for me to be cold as l have
become"
He was STOPPING over her caress-
ingly, and her hand was still in
his.
1T is happiness that you need.
Esther. Warmth and love will fol-
low. I will fight for your happi-
ness, for your freedom from those
sfckening cares. There is no hope
Tor you with Harold. he is a doomed
man. Were it not so. 1 would ask
for nothing better than to see you
happy with him But it is impos-
sible-impossible."
Yes" she sighed, ait is impos-
sible."
so you must be freed. There is
nothing for 1t but that. This bur-
den must be taken from your shoul-
ders- You will be content living
with your friend, Mrs. Willoughby,
till the inevitable end comes. No
one can harm you there. and we
will watch, oh, yes. we will guard
{ you as a very precious thing. And
II my presence troubles you I will
not come. will keep away till you
call for me. for shall be happy
knowing that you are safe. know
ing, too"-he lowered his voice
that, though you have no love to
give me now, may hope to win it
some day"
Those whom God hath put to-
gether," murmured Esther, half un-
consciously, her thoughts reverting
to the midnight wedding. at was
you and ! who were so united.
Basil. but did not know. and
gave my love to another-and now
that love is dead. can it ever be
revived?" She pressed his hand be-
tween both Of hers and raised her
sad eyes to his
I who will warm IL into being"
He stopped and kissed her fore
head. resisting the temptation OF
her lips
At that moment Lillian entered
the room, ready dressed for de-
parture- Upon opening the door
she found herself facing the sofa
and the window.
at is time" she began and then
started back, low cry Of dismay
upon her lips.
what is the matter" Basil
sprang to his feet, then, following
the direction of Lilian's eyes, he
saw what had alarmed her.
In the embrasure OF the window,
tust behind the sofa a man was
standing. He was leaning against
the woodwork in an easy position,
as II he had already been there for
some minutes. Apparently he had
advanced, unheard. upon the ter
race, and had not thought fit to in
terrupt the couple whom he found
seated on the sofa with their backs
to him
'AIr. Borradale!- cried Basil.
At the sound of the name, Esther
rose in her turn. flushing and trem-
bling as II she had been detected in
an offense-
"HaroId!" she murmured, and for
the moment her lips refused to
utter another word.
Harold laughed. The sound OF
his laughter was not pleasant to
the ear. Lillian looked at hint
was some months since she had
seen him-and the sight OF the
white. unwholesome face, of the
eunken ewes, of the fair mustache
hanging Imply over the lips that,
parting, exposed the discolored
teeth to view-all this disgusted
her.
So he had returned-too soon. II
was his voice that she had heard
whispering upon the stairs. 1t was
he whom the butler must have seen
on the terrace with Paul. What
was to be done? How was Esther
to be taken away now? Would she
make a bold stand, and announce
her intention of going? Lillian
doubted IL The last few days had
undermined Esther's constitution.
and she had lost her physical and
mental strength. Then, too. Harold
had surprised what was evidently a
very intimate conversation between
his wife and Basil. Had this not
been the case it might still have
been possible for them TO make
their escape, for Esther might rea-
sonabIy have been allowed to walk
with her friends as far as the road,
and once In the road
However. all this was now quite
hopeless. What would be the next
move?
Harold ceased laughing. His face
was almost without expression. He