The Washington times., 1918-08-20
continu.a From yesterday

our forces are complete. We will
consider all the facts we know and
start on our researches methodical-
iyNand reasonably. We will avoid
an publicity unless actually driven
TO Il, for no doubt the honor Of the
family has something to do with
the secret"
"As the family bids fair to be-
come extinct" said Esther. smiling
sadly. "that is a point that need
not trouble us much"
n "a very good thing too" said
Lillian, sharply. land L hope, Esther,
that if Harold dies, as he seems
bound to do, you will not keep the
name long. Let US wipe the Curse
from the face of the esrth-and
the Borradales with it
"Rut." cried Esther in alarm, Il
cannot tight against Harold"
awe will fight no one till we
know what we have to fight," said
Lillian. 81 am afraid that Harold is
an the side of the Curse, but
seWe must look upon hin, as be-
Ing in its power rather than on its
side.n interrupted Esther. I'VE
nust look upon ourselves as knights
-oJnx out to tear him from the
Trjn of some evil monster. And
what. Lilian"-she glanced up AT
her friend with anxious eyes
.lvbat II we find thai it is really
,,nonster-a supernatural being with
which we have to contend? Oh, L
admit it's silly to imagine such
thing. but you know the Borraoale
C,,yse q told all over the world as
: zhost story, and that is among
naonle who have no reason TO thihk
mat there is anything in 1t ,reaily.
we know that there is something
GAnd that is jusy why we should
5iscredit the ghost" said Lillian.
~No.n she added, refiectiyely.
Son't believe in the ghost-as
pbost There may be many things
in This strange world of ours that
are uncanny and out Of The ordl-
nary without being Supernatural.
pecause We don't understand a thlnS
We are apt TO speak of 1t at once
e beinp,, supernatural, but L. thtnk
that Is wrong. Zorska, for instance,
hoz NO doubt been, the cause OIL
nany OF the stories that hang about
Adderley., but he is human enough
though strangely and horribly al
tsDo YOU believe them" asked
Esther, ain the power Of a curse
a few words spoken by mortal lips
to bring evil upon a family from
generation to generation! for II
is in Zorska that we hnd comm
tion of the old story. He may pc
human enough, but he is sunerhg
from the ban of his ancestors.
Il find 1t difficult TO believe any
thing Of the SORT" said Lillian: ut
il Is Just these points that nope
We shall be able to clear up. W.
must try and. trace the Elstory OF
HaroId's father, and, II We nno no
e.cpIanation there, then OF nus
grandfather" She gave sn1te
laugh. 1--WE will do II, Esther. we
face fresh dangers. L was begin
rir1 to think that after my acces-
sion TO wealth, my life might sink
Sovn into more conventional lines.
But IL doesn't look like it,. does it,"
6You think there will be dan
rersT' Esther spoke anxiously, but
she was not thinking of herself.
aI do. Remember that face in
the picture. Where the original OF
that portrait is concerned, there
must be danger"
'I think you are right. 1t was a
horribly malignant face-a very
Medusa- I hope L never may look
upon it in reality"
and, remember, not a word Of our
plans to Harold and Guy at my own
house; will invite Edgar Swan TO
come there, too. There we will hold
our consultation Of war. / suppose
you will not be held a prisoner here
that you will be allowed to come
and go as you please? You will be
able to Join our councii?'
"But I must not see BASIL" cried
Esther.
Lillian frovned. That is a nui-
sance," she said. 'But Basil must
be kept away when you are there.
Yes, Esther" she added, decisively.
81 am sure that we are acting for
the best We have had enough Of
being struck in the dark. Harold's
life has been ruined by this curse
or whatever 1t may be-and I'm
not going to see yours threatened
without a struggle to prevent It
Tomorrow I get TO work, and the
defensive and offensive alliance
mus. be formed"
The two women drew their chairs
close together over the fre and be-
gan 20 discuss their plans After
awhile shambling footsteps were
heard upon the stairs and the door
OF the adjoining room opened and
shut. Very soon afterTard there
came the sound as IL Harold had
thrown himself down on his bed.
'It is as 1 thought. Esther" said
Lillian. He is probably well on his
way TO his land OF forgetfulness.
should say he will sleep till late to-
morrow. Then you can see what
you can do with him. Tonight. dear.
trust you win get little natu-
raj sleep. 1 am sure you need g."
Il doubt IL I shall" sighed Es-
theT. 81 fear shall toss about and
expect my strange dream 10 begin.
1t will no1. OF course. and then 1
win want & SO many nights 81
has come TO rae that l can fully un-
6erStand what the desire Of IL
means" There was a tinge OF re-
sTet ih her tone.
Than. God, Il will not come TO
you" cried the other. ''It is that
artificial sleep that has been your
greatest danger, Even II you are
restless for . night or two, you will
know that sou are on your way
back to q more healthy condition.
1 want 10 see the Esther Of year
ago" she added, the EstheV who
tura-5 NJ in the nick of time and