The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-23

ing the lady" the flushed boy re-
piled quickly, "for there Is only one
woman in the world for me, but
will she have me? That's the ques-
tion, and you are the only person.
who can answer It, Lillian. Oh, my
darling" he caught at the woman's
hands as he spoke, pressing them
tenderly between his own hot palms.
Say you will be my wife," he went
on eagerly, land I'll do my level
best to make you happy"
Lillian hesitated for a second. To
a woman Of her temperament the
present moment was not without
its sweetness and its sense OF tri-
umph.
She glanced around at Charlie
Epstone with swimming eyes. then
lowered her blue orbs, affecting q
pretty confusion. The boy did not
perceive the affectatlon OF her at
titude; he was far too much en-
amoursd.
You do love me, don't you,
LilianF" he asked with some bold
ness, don't keep a fellow in sus-
pense." He wiped his hot forehead
as he spoke: about his evident agi-
tstion there could be no question.
@0ld Enough to Be Your Mother"
II don't know" murmured the
woman softly. ct have only re-
garded you a. q very dear friend.
How could ever imagine that you
cared for me, CharlIe7 Consider
the difference in our ages. Why,
am almost old enough to be your
mother. You ought to look upon
me a. q sort OF grandmother" In
spite OF herself Lillian smiled as she
spoke She was aware, none bet
ter. of her own charms, and that
notwithstanding her thirty-odd
years she hardly looked q day over
I've and twenty.
You my grandmother Well,
that's q good joke" replied Epstone
quickly. ian awfully good joke.
Why, you hardly look eighteen,
Lillian, pom my soul you don't" and
he gaEed at her with ardent ad-
miration and devotion.
Nevertheless, am over thirty"
remarked Lillian quietly, land you,
Charlie, are 4 bare seven and
twenty. A marriage between us
would be absurd. 1 shall be old
and hideous in a few years, while
you will hardly have reached your
prime" she spoke with gentle sad
ness and subdued melancholy, with
drawing her hand from the tight
grasp.
Epstone Presses His Suit.
81 shouldn't care II you were
city" the boy cried passionately.
you will always be the loveliest
woman on earth. Come, say you
will marry me. You don't know
how happy Will make you. I've
loved you for q long while, only till
yesterday 1 was hardly my master,
but today-today l am free, so the
FIRST thing I did was to come here
to ask you to be my wife" There
was a note OF fierce exultation and
almost vehement passion in Charlie
Epstone's voice; so a prisoner might
have shouted who had just broken
his chain and escaped out of bond
age.
II must think" murmured Lillian
slowly. resting her chin upon her
slim white hand. you must give
me some months to consider,
Charlie. We ought TO know each
other much better, be more sure OF
our sentiments. ! never thought OF
marrying again; the idea has come
upon me like q shock" She spoke
in short. deliberate sentences, paus-
ing between each word.
''Waiti I'd wait years for you"
interrupted the young man hurried
ly," as long az you say yes in the
end, and. you're going to say yes
you know, Lillian. feel quite sure
OF that" He took her hand again
as he spoke, and began covering II
with kisses. but the woman drew It
away with a quick frown OF an
noysnce as the maid entered carry
ing a telegram on a salVer.
Lillian Called to Adderley.
Lillian opened the orange red en-
velope with some foreboding, start
ed as she read the message, then
turned abruptly TO the maid
There Is no answer" she said
quietly, but her voice sounded hard
and metallic, and q curious gray
hue had oVerspread her face.
Lillian read the penciled words
again. Come down to Adderley at
once" They did not sound alarm
ing, and yet a command had ben
issued that she must obey. even
though she shrank from the idea OF
returning to the house that she
feared and hated, and felt an odd
presentimsnt OF danger.
Real tears came into her eyes,
and the desire to confide IN some
one became very strong. She for
got the risk OF such condolences;
she only realized that she was a
weak, feeble woman, a fettered
slave.
''Charlis!" she cried, despaIringly.
81 may as well tell you the truth.
! am not my own mistress. I only
wish / were. j am In the power of
some cruel, terrible people, and they
have just summoned me to them.
] dare not tell you their true names.
ought not to have told you as
much as this even. only feel SO
startled and upset. I thought they
would have left me in peace a little
longer. Peace" she laughed wildly
and half hysterically, there Is to
be no peace for me either in this
world or the next, I fear"
Il Can't Explain Said Lillian.
LILLIAN. my poor girl, this Is
simply terrible" Epstone remem-
bered his own years OF bondage,
and put his arm around the trembl-
ing. sobbing woman, feeling an In