The Washington times., 1918-07-16
Part One-(Continuedl

EGlL-du0 AOE nv "CA9~-
Has he broken out again-in
the same way?" asked Lillian.
Esther shook her head. No she
did not think that Harold had gone
back to the soIace OF alcohol. The
change in him was deeper, more
subtle. She could not explain II
but I feel" she murmured, AN
UNDECIDED dread of him 1 am sure
that scmething. is going to happen,
though I don't kno wwhat, Lillian,
Ghe seized her friends hand, IF
should want you, you will come to
me at once? You will come to
Helm 81 send for your
II will" said Lillian cordially,
You may depend upon me always
Esther
g A week or SO later, when the ex-
element following the suicide had
subsidized. Lillian, accompanied by
Guy, made her way to the little
shop in search of Mrs. Meyer. She
had dressed herself plainly in thick
winter clothes and she ha6 dis
earded the jeweIry for the occasion
In spite of this the woman hardly
recognized her.
do you not remember me, Mrs.
Meyer" said Lillian with q smile.
extending her hand across the coun-
ter. Il stayed a week with you
not so very long ago"
ZACH. for certain; remember
now" cried the woman, you are
Miss Lilian-I know not your other
name. You stay here wen my tear
husban' vas last here. I see him
not sinee-but he come back soon
oh, he come back soon to his wife
and kinder"
She-led the way to the little room
at the back of the shop. The atmos-
pheTe was pervaded by the musty
smell of old clothes, to which her
weeks residence had not habituated
Lillian. Guy elected to wait outside
and smoke q cigarette.
Makes Oher to Mrs Meyer.
4 81 have come. Mrs. Meyer. to
make, you an ofrer." said Lillian. as
soon as she. had taken her seat on a
rickety chair which Rebecca drew
up for her.
"An ofterF Vat IL dat?"
Il have reason to beIievs"-Lfl-
ian had carefully thought out when
she would say-"thGt your husband
will not return to you"
wat you say?" Mrs. Meyer start
ed Up. He not-return? Ach, nein,
believe not dat"
81 fear il is true. I am sorry to
be the bearer of evil tidinEs-
WY, he not come back? He
Is NIGHT dead?'' Rebecca, emotional
and demonstrative, appeared on the
verge of hystericaI tears.
Il cannot say that he is dead. Do
you read the papers, Mrs. Meyer?"
Il cannot readr' IT was as Lillian
thought. This made her task the
easier.
IF you had read the papers," she
said, you would have known that a
day or two after your husband left
you. there was a robbery of Jewels.
The thief escaped, but he was seen,
and description of him was pub
nshed. I am convinced that the man
described was your husband"
But he escaped. you say?" Re
becca evinced no surprise at the as
ISOLATION Of her husband with Lii
fans imaginery thief, who had con-
cocted this story to account for Won
Geldenstein's disappearance, had
used her inventive faculties to the
best advantage.
"If he escape he return to me-"
said Mrs. Meyer, answering her own
question.
''He is supposed TO have fled TO
Europe. Some OF the jeweIry has
been found in London. The police
are on the lookout for him there.
He will not return to New York,
Mrs. Meyer"
II wait for him." said the woman
stubbornly.
Then in the meanwhile I offer
you and your children a home"
Y
that II she gained her point II
would be easy later on to convince
the. woman OF her husbands death.
Il am q rich woman, Mrs. Meyer,
and-and I live alone. l shall be
glad IL you will come and share my
house. Also. 1 want the children
have none OF my own. I will make
your little boy heir to my property.
DO you understand me-and will
you accept my propOsal?"
Mrs Meyer did not understand. II
was a long time before Lillian sue
ceeded IN making her understand.
When at last she did appreciate LII
ian's offer she met II with a most
decided negative.
Refuses to Aeeede.
aNein-nein," she said. II go not
away. 1 hat mein fiddle shop und
: mein kinder. I leave dem not. !
Wait TIL my husban' return. He COM
back TO me: ach; ia. he come back"
'But you don't understand" per-
sisted Lillian. 81 offer you money.
Jewels, anything you like-surelY
in your own lnterest-in TIE inter-
est of your children
But the woman was obdurate. En-
treaties and promises were alike OF
no avail Mrs. Meyer even grew
angry.
wat for you want me und de
kinder to leave de shop?" she cried
at last wat is in your mind7 ]
trust you not"
Against such obstinacy Lil.an's
arguments were useless. She was
obliged to give up in despair and
return to Guy. who was awaiting
her. patiently parading the street
They had left their carriage a. Jhe
corner.
'I've been all right" said Guy.
cheerfuliy, watching these little
beggars make mud pies" He indi-
calad q .faW gutter children who