The Washington times., 1918-08-23
continued From Yesterday

orcathleSSly. ou vic IhlhS'
She was doing her best to hold her
breath in order to inhale as little
as possible Of the fumes. Then she
turned away from him and ran into
Estner's room
with feverish fingers she tore the
heavy curtains OF the windows
apart, and threw open the windows
themselves Then she wrenched
back the thick bed-hangingS Esth-
sr lay on her bed. pale and inani-
nate, but now the fresh air from
without came streaming in upon
her. Standing between bed and
window, Lillian felt that she would
be able to resist the subtle poison
She took water and bathed Esthers
forehead with it It had little ef-
feet. Then she called to her frien@
shaking her gently by the arm
srEsthsr-Esther"
The girl moaned family. but
hardly moved There was nothing 70
ba done but to wait The fresh air
would presently revive her. And In
the meanwhile Esther was saie
Lillian felt that as long as she her
self could keep near the WindoW'
ahe would not be overcome by the
fumea As soon as Esther could
move. she would hurry her from
the room She would have carried
her, but she doubted her strength
to face the staircase, and her own
room was probably by now Is full OF
the vapor a. Esther's-
Ard presently she heard q sound
which told her that Harold had
cravled back to his own room For
the time being she must wait
She must wait-but how terrible
was the waiting!
Thank heaven!" cried Lillian,
with q long sigh OF relief, as she
conducted Esther into the light and
cheerful morning room Of her own
home; thank heaven have
brought you away in safety"
Esther sank down into an easy
chair. She was very pale and her
limbs had been barely strong enough
TO support her for the few PAGES
she had travsrsed on descending
from the cab. Her hands fell list
lessly to her side, and her heavy
uds closed over her eyes
Il can see that I shall have to
take great care of you for the
next few days" muttered Lillian
more to herself than to her COM
panion, cor 1 shall have you get
ting seriously i'll And no wonder,
after what you have gone through
TIL get You OF to bed as soon a.
i can. ana there you shall stay for
q week II necessary"
She rang the bell sharply for the
maid.
1t was stin early and the house
hold had not long been astir.
Lillian had acted with speed and
determination. She had not left
Esther's side till the effect Of the
drux had worn OF and the girl
had struggled back to painful con-
sciousness. No sound had come
from Harold's room, and there had
been no attempt at interference
As soon as Esther was able to
move. Lillian had forced her to rise
and had assisted her to dress. She
had done as she was told, moving
As II still in q dream, and now and
then complaining querulously OF the
main in her head. The toilette had
been q prefunctory one. I'VE must
hasten" she kept repeating. -Har-
cid In stiIl sleeping. Later he might
warn the servants and prevent you
from going. There Is no time 70
be lost"
rsfher feebly.
@You have been drugged again
II vas Harold himself who did it
He is mAd-mAd.
SHaroldf But why? oh. saw
him in my dream. saw him as ne
used to be. It was a beautiful
6ream- Lillian. Oh, why Is the
awakening so painfuiT"
sIt Is = hateful thing-an abomi-
uatIon. Harold has lost all sense
of moral responsibility. He is seek
ing to drag you down with him 1
Am taking you away with me
taking you into safety. Don't let
ms tank about II now. I am afraid
that the very walls may have ears.
AS soon as you are dressed we will
start"
ianr
o. 70 get you out OF the house
lillian had secured the paper she
had been writing. She cared for
nothing else.
n was nearly 8 o'clock when
Esther was dressed, and then the
two women stole softly down the
hroad staircase, Esther leaning
heayiIy upon her friends arm
Srbev met with no interference until
thew reached the hall. but here they
found a maid She looked at them
IN surprise and when she realized
that they were going out hastened
to open the door.
..Mrs. Borradale is not feeling
welT"-Lilian thought It necessary
70 make some explanation-"and
she thinks the air will do her
good"
The maid asked II she could be
of any assistance. and Lillian shook
her head No opposition was Of
fered them, and they found them
selves in Madison avenue-free to
20 where they pleased. Esther
walked as II dazed; Lillian feared
that she might faint.
Luckily a hanson happened to
pass and in this way they were
quickly driven to the house. Es-
ther sat inert during the short
journey. her eyes closed. her face
hAggard and drawn
And 20 they reached LlliAn's
house in safety.
Clementine entered the room in
answer to Lilian's ring. She seemed
intensely surprised to see her mis-
NaNr