The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-22

WINDOW maze InelT pain pain VI
gold.
Esther Feels the Call of Youth.
Lunch proved a lively meal. and
Esther, as she listened to the
bright conversation OF young Bor-
radale, went far to forgetting her
anxieties. After all she was still
quite young, and youth goes to
youth.
You are really fond of the coun-
try. I can see that, Miss Vassell,"
he said at last. I'm SO glad YOU
are going to take up your abode at
Helm Court. People ought to live
on their estates and not lease them
to strangers-at least that is my
theory"
II agree with YOU" replied
Esther, glancing at the strong, de-
termined face, land / hope to pass
most OF my time at Helm Court; It
looks a lovely old house"
You are talking Of the Court?'
interrupted Mrs. BoTradale from the
end Of the table. "it's quite the most
charming place 1 know. Have you
found your way into the psneled
powder chamber yet. Miss Vassell.
the new garden? Or am l telling
you about beauties you have yet to
discover:
Helm Courts Romantic Chamber.
you are enIightening me ia
mously," laughed Esther, a shall
search for the powder chamber di-
rectly l get back. How romantic it
sounds.
"You have a vivid lima Eination,
Miss Vassell," the rector was speak
ing 1t was the first time he had
addressed Esther since his labored
greeting at the door OF Helm Court.
The girl started-she was uncertain
IL his words conveyed a menace
but she determined anyway to show
a brave front, and she answered the
white-faced man with some spirit.
81 don't think / am more magma
tive than most people, but when
enter an old house I begin to think
OF all the people who have lived
there before and OF their romances
and their tragedies"
Barradale smiled approvingly-he
liked women to be fanciful-but the
old lawyer pricked up his ears.
Talking OF tragedies. Lord Barro-
dale" he asked across the table"
was the murderer never discovered
OF that wTetched man done to death
outside Adderley wood? l read up
all the evidence at the time. A
strange case-very."
"TOO Horrible to Discuss"
ITO horrible to discuss at lunch"
interrupted the hostess, her soft
voice sounding curiousIy hard and
strained, her pale face flushing,
Esther noticed how she trembled.
also the nervous. furtive look she
gave her son, but Harol Borradale
went on quietly with his lunch in
quite uncOncerned fashion. It was
evident to Esther that the mother
knew more than the son did, or else
Lord Borradale was the most splen-
did actor she had ever seen.
After lunch had come TO an end
and coffee had been brought in the
young man proposed a stroll in the
grounds to Esther 1.-THE gardens
are rather pretty" he suggested,
tentatively, land l should like to
shOE you a fountain we are quite
proud of, II you are not too tlred?"
His blue-gray eyes were very com
pelling, and Esther yielded easily
to their spell.
They Stroll Through the Gardens.
81 should like to see the gar
dens." she answered quickly. "Ev-
erything a-grOwing and ALLOWING
has an attraction for a poor New
Yorker. and also the famous foun-
tain-that Is, II Mrs. BOrradale will
forgive me for deserving herr"
81 shall keep the rest OF the com
pany. dear" smiled the invalid.
1--WE, who have rall come to years
OF discretion. respect the afternoon
siesta, but for young things like
Harold and you the garden-by all
means, the garden.
81 see you are going to like nay
mother" remarked Borradale as
soon as he and his companion found
themselves in the old-fashioned gar
den. you will find yourself de-
voted to her before long. People
either love her or hate her. OF
course, she IL perfection itself to
me-" The young man spoke very
simply, but Esther liked the feel