The Washington times., 1918-04-25

termination upon her race.
Lillian Refuses to Vanp.
"weug"
81 won't have anything TO do with
it."
Tweedledum sprang up and a foul
oath escaped his lips. You won't?
You must be mad. Think OF all it
means for you-thfnk. / tell you,
1t means thousands a year for your
life it comes off and money down
at once, whatever happens. Good
Lord. you can't be so foolish as to
refuse"
But do" Lillian spoke quite
calmly. To herself she whispered:
For Guys sake"
You must be mad-you must be
mad" In his savage rage Tweedle-
dunn could find nothing else to say.
He advanced upon the woman and
laid his two heavy hands upon her
shoulders. He would have liked TO
have shaken her violently.
NO" she replied quietly, but firm
ly. 81 am not mad, but, though you
may not believe it, / have a trace OF
honor left in me. Or, perhaps it
would be more true to say" she add
ed, that I have sufficient regard
for one person in the world to pre-
vent me degrading myself in his
eyes. And what you ask me to do
would degrade MEOW as 1 have
already fallen"
what the devil do you meanc"
he asked brutslly. ITO whom are
you referring?"
A WOnan's Way. ~
ITO Guy Hooking" she replied
calmly. Guy thinks all manner OF
evil OF me- know that, and he
has every reason to, but for his
sake prefer TO keep my name out,
OF the divorce court. It may be a
foolish prejudice, but women have
such prejudices."
Guy Hocl0ingg' TweedIedum add
ed a string OF adjectives TO the
name. You are willing to throw
away a chance OF being rich for
the rest of your life for The sake
OF that fool! What has he done for
you l would like to 5now2 Could he
keep you IL you went back to him?
Do you think he's true or cares
about you, even? Why, he's as deep
" in love as he can be with his
cousin Esther"
waver She believed what Twee-
dledum said about Guys affection
for Esther was true, also she had
learned from her visit to the Jewell
er's this afternoon. But all this
had no effect toward making her
change her mind. Perhaps beneath
the surface there was a deeper dis
Ike for the part she was called
upon 20 play than she gave herself
credit for
i don't care" she said stolidly.
you have had my answer. And
now you can CO."
Il won't" he replied. "pm not
going to allow you TO throw away
such a chance. I've decided on
you, Lillian. and I'm not the sort
Of man to be thwarted. You don't
know me very well IL you think
give In so easily"
You cannot make ne do what
refuse to do" said Lillian with 4
touch OF apprehension in her voice.
The Yelled Threat.
ooh. yes, I can" returned the
man. and again he drew down the
corners OF his ugly mouth. But
had no wish TO resort to any hut
the most amicable measures with
you. ] wanted TO insure you good
payment for what you do, though,
as a matter Of fact, IL insist. you
shall do what 7 want without any
payment at all"
What do you mean?" Lillian
gazed at him aghast, a dim under
standing Of his meaning Pickering
into her brain.
He laughed his brutal laugh.
Understand" he said. II don't
threaten you yet. don't
even withdraw my offer. I was
always a gOod-natured sort OF fell
low. Are you beginning to under
stand what I'm driving at. my lady?
II so, We needn't pursue the matter
any further Just say you consent,
and we'll be good friends again"
Lillian grew deathly white. II
was the pallOr OF fear and con-
tTasted wildly with her flush Of
anger. She knew that this man
had a hold upon her which he could
make use of without detriment to
himself. It was her evil fate that
IL she possessed the secrets of many
men her own were in no safe-keep-
ing.
You would not betray me-" she
cried, desperately. What harm
have I done TO you that YOU should
take such a tone in speaking TO
me-"
your Guy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
DUN spoke derisively-"you are
afraid Of being dragged into court
for his sake, What would he say
II he knew you were in peril Of ar
rest for biEamy: To say nothing
OF other little matters that would
come - light. He would be folly
glad, take II. to know that he was
quit OF you forever"
she Was Helpless.
"You-you wouldn't give me
Gway7" A feeling OF helplessness
came upon Lillian. and a reaIiza-
tion OF the futility OF any effort she
might make to follow her better
instincts. She knew now that the
love she still bore for Guy had
prompted her TO the better course,
and she saw in lurid colors the
evil that had been suggested to her.
But to refuse the evil-What did Il
mean for her? Frank would not
hesitate TO come forward and pro-
claim himself her husband ~ be
were paid for it-as no doubt he
would be. She would certainly be
prosecuted. and then-she trembled
20 think OF all that might happen.
She had woven a web of deceit
about her. but # was q sorry pro-
lection IN time Of need