The Washington times., 1918-08-08
The Wolves of New York
A STORY OF LOVE AND MYSTERY
Esther Decides to Go With Her Hus-
band Despite Protests of Lillian
and Fleetwood.

you may watch-you may gloat-
you may see me die. But wait you
shall-you must Esther is my wife
by every human law, and now /
claim her-I claim her for the lit
Tie while that Is given to me to
i've. Do you wish me to hasten my
oeparture?" He laughed as he had
done when they had first discov-
cred his presence. Perhaps I
Will 1t may be any day, any hour,
any minute. But while I live you
shall not stand between me and my
wife. And now-go-you, Mr.. Fleet
WOOD and you, Mrs. Willoughby, !
wish to speak to my wife alone"
Il cannot leave Esther in this
house." said Lillian, stubbornly. 81
Will not 1t Is not safe for her. II
you drive me away l shall appeal
elsewhere for protection It Is time
that something should be done and
] will no longer maintain silence"
Esther shall not stay in this
house." said Harold. II returned
today fpr the purpose of removing
her. You, Mrs. Willoughby, know
that ! am not answerable for-he
hesitated-"for certain conditions
connected with my family history.
I was not aware OF what was hap
pening here. I learned OF It on my
arrival today"
Was he speaking the truth! Had II
but been possible to- read his face!
To Harold of the old days q lie was
an abomination, but now in this de-
graded creature 1t was probably of
little import what he said so long
rs he gained his end II he were ig-
- r.A
should he have instructed the ser
wants to keep guard upon Esther?
at is q lie!" Basil spoke between
his teeth.
You may insult me-" Harold
turned his blanched face to the
young man, seeing thatI am In no
state to retaliate. repeat that 1
came here for the purpose OF taking
my wife away. still propose to do
Co. / had. in fact, notified the SER
wants in New York that they might
expect our arrival tonight There
is time to travel up by an evening
train I trust Mrs. Willoughby may
accompany us-as far as our door.
Then must beg her to leave my
wife in my keeping. As for you,
Mr.. Fleetwood, your time is not yet
And in the meanwhile take 1t
your practice will need your atten-
ton" He spoke painfully, but with
more determination than he had yet
exhibited
-Esther"-Basil made a desperate
appeal to the girI-"do you agree to
this7"
"I do not knew" she faltertd.
IL do not know what to say"
'Refuge!" he cried energetically.
For heavens sake refuse. You
may be throwing away your last
chance for safety"
.T claim you but for n little
while, Esther" said Harold.
Let me-speak to my husband
alone" stammered Esther. 'Ieavs
as for a little while, Basil, and you.
.ilian." She rose and walked with
her friends to the door, shaking her
head in answer to their vehement
protests
81 will come to you in the draw
ng ROOM" she said in q whisper.
You are very good to me-both of
he-he is my husband
md he is dying"
"I do not trust him." muttered
Basil. "If he were not a man
whose brain had been rotted by
Irugs It would be different But he
las no sense of right and wrong.
feel I'll see it oh, II I could
persuade you, Esther, that / am
.ertain of what I say! Why has he
ieId himself apart from you so
onR to want you now? To soothe
is dying hours? / do not believe
I Do you think you will restrain
I'm from using his drug? It would
. torture for him. and probably
more rapid death, IL you did.
He viii drag himself out TO his
rt.on hous-he vii bring his sbom-
,ation back with hIm-he will hll
,e house with those subtle fumes.
nd you-oh. for Gods sake. Esther
link Of what you told me this after
DON; think that you are placing
ourSelf In the grip of a horrid temp
Ition! Oh. my dear. my dear. It
Iust not be-"
He seized her hands. but she gently
them from his grasp.
He is my husband" she said. soft
:, He has a right to ask me to be
lth him He Is the Harold / loved,
I'd for him have sacrificed my hap
ness / must sacrifice a little more
II Il Is my life then"-she smiled
anly-"I have given him all that Is
my power to give"
But you do not love him-now."
'otested Basil.
For the sake Of Harold / loved"
e murmured, and then, turning
Tay, she re-entered the room and ap-
cached her husband.
Esther. / am a dying man."
with these words Harold greeted
s wife when she returned TO him
one.
He was seated IN q chair which
had drawn up to the firc, and
had stretched out his hands to
e glowing Goals, though, appar-
tly. without much success in
arming them. He spoke painfully,
ID with effort AS far as he
uld. he seemed anxious to keep
5 face averted from her.
She was quickly by his side, and
d fallen on her knees by his
air. She made no attempt, how
er. to touch him, and he con- ,
lued rubbing his hands together,
J body craned forward, without
liking around.
Harold. IL may not be as bad as I
u think. This has not gone on |
ig enough-why, II Is barely a :
ar! Is its IL too late to save I
urseif?" ,
DO you want me to save myself, n
ther? Is II not better" i
You must not
ak like that. You are my hus-
1d: you are the man loved with
the strength of my heart.
ten, will nurse you, will tend
l back to health, / will devote
70 rros. ,-o,,