The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-13
Part one-Ccontinued)

prepared for them. 1t had been
well chosen as an ideal spot for
quiet ease. II lay on the borders OF
the lake, a little way out OF Menag-
Eio. II had a terrace from which
one could look straight into the
blue waters, a terrace ornate with
marble and rich in flowers. The
villa itself was OF true Italian arch.
beeture and wholly Italian in itr
decorations. Behind It. on the hill
side. stretched a wild garden. in
which Esther loved to wonder. II
was here that she had fouE" the
statue OF the yelled woman which
had fascinated her.
LOVeIess HOnsymOon.
And &C the days had passsd-for
Esther in loneliness and sorrow. She
had realized her importance 20 be OF
any assistance to Harold: he would
not allow her to be a companion.
She I'D not know how he spent
his days beyond that he sGut MIN
self up for the most part in his
own study. A room adjoining this
be had converted into a bedroom.
and sometimes for days together he
did not show himself. The servants
wondered and talked much among
themselves. A pretty doinesticity
this! Some distorted version Of the
curse had reached the servants hall.
and was discussed freely, enlarged
upon and duly accorded its tribute
Of terror. Ester's msid had done
her best to be CONVEX sational, but
Esther had not encouraged the
girl. Harold had engaged q valet,
who stayed with him the best part
Of the day. Esther had her suspi-
cions that his man encouraged her
husband to drink.
And now she knew the truth.
The drink kills" Harold had
not taken TO drink merely to Kill
torturinE thought; It was a de-
liberate design TO take his own life.
He was poisoning himself slowly.
He might live for years, perhaps:
but as long as he lived he would
save himself suffering. He would be
In a world OF his ovvn-the drunk
ards world. But did he not realize
that he was torturins her: Oh, it
was coWardly OF him, coWardly. He
was no longer the Harold TO whom
she had given her love. in whose
hands she had placed her destiny.
That Harold had died and q maliG-
nRnt spirit had entered into and
animated his body.
A Cruel Turn Of Fate.
What Was she to DO? A wife,
yet no wife-and for the second
time. The first time, loVeless,
she had married. expecting moth.
ing, giving nothing; the second.
she had given love, and she had
expected much in return, Joy or
sorFow, she would have accepted
either had II but been shared.
What could, she do? A bride Of
three weeks-yet those three
weeks had been to her a very life
time. Was il possible for such an
existence to continue?
Mrs. Borradals had endured prob
ably much OF what she, Esther,
was nov enduring. Yet no: Har-
Olds father had never sought to
drown his sorrOws in drink. or
Esther had never heard OF such a
thing. Mrs. BorradaIe therefore
had not known suffering in this
form. But IL Esther could have
communicated with her husband
mother it would have a relief to
her. Was il not. perhaps, her duty
70 do 50? Once she opened her
desk preparatory 10 writing such
q letter-then she remembered
what Harold had said-a shock
would Kill his nOthe--let her die
In the happy confidence OF her
sons Welfarc-and she refrained
from writing. 20 whom else could
she turn? There were no other
near relatives; none. at least. in
whom she would ca 10 rcrfid".
Yet she felt she must DO some
thing for Harol5's sake as wei! a.
her own. She could not allow him
70 kin himself without making an
effort 20 save him; she could not
endure her own life any longer
At last she wrote to Lillian, and
begged her to come out TO Italy.
The court might safely he left in
the care OF the baiIih' Il am in
trouble" 50 Esther wTote--"and
want you. You promised to be
my friend for good or H.. Come
20 me, Lillian, in my evil hour"
Lillian Answers Friends Call.
And Lillian. who had expected
some such appeal, obeyed the sum
mons. She made 10 delay IN going
60 Italy. II was little more than
two weeks after the receipt OF
Esther's letter that she presented
herself At the Villa Csr;onc and
found her friend. as she had feared.
4 very sbsdO,y OF herself
"Lilian-thanE God you have
come" II was with these words
that Esther ran forWa ID 10 greet
her companion. i think ] should
have died II had been left any
longer 70 my own devices. have
suffered more than words can tell"
Her looks did not belle the state
msnt
Later In the afternoon. upon the
terrace overlooking the peaceful
waters Of the lake. Esther told
her story, and Lillian. as the girl
expected, did not reply with Il told
you so" but took her friend In her
arms and kissed and coraforted her
- best she could. For the FIRST
time since the day Of her marriage
Esther felt a CLEAN OF hope.
what can I do, Lilian7" she
asked. II want you to give me your
advice. II is impossible to live az
We have been living. There can be
no question OF love in such an
existence That Is the worst Of
IL" she added. ruefully. Il loved
Harold. You know how willingly
! was prepared to face any dangers
for his sake. But now he won't
let me love him-he denies himself
TO me-and he has contracted this
terrible passion. Is Il my fault?''
She locked 50 wan and helpless,
Esther, usually so masterful, that
sympathetic tears forced themselves