The Washington times., 1918-05-25
Part One-CContinued)

raised 10 S25
What's he playing at:T came
the wondering voice at Guys el-
bow. II can understand you. sir.
bidding up II you want the picture
for the lady, but him! II beats
me-"
You must let It go. Guy" whIs-
pered Lillian. you can't afford 70
give S25 for one thing. We must
try later for something else There
are others which I value just as
much. she added. ruefully.
SO. perforce, Guy had to yield.
But. unfortunately. when the next
article which Lillian desired to buy
IN came up for sale the same proc
sss was repeated. And II was re-
peted again and again.
IT'S no use" cried Lillian. de-
spairingly. Il can't save any Of
them. don't understand that hor-
everything"
Another Bidder Arrives
At that moment she felt q slight
tap upon her shoulder. and. turn
irg, she uttered a sharp cry OF sur
prise and Joy.
For II was Esther who stood
smiling before her.
Esther
Lillian! I am 80 glad that you
have come here. I did not know
where to find you. No one could
tell me where you had gone. I
came this morninE-to fnd this
sale in progresL Oh. my poor
Lillian"
The meeting between the two
women was warm, and, under the
peculiar circumstances, unconven-
tional There was even a stay IN
the proceedings while the attention
of the dealers, male and female,
was distracted from the business In
hand
who's she7" whispered a black
bearded man to his better-informed
nsighbor, the disreputable-lookin
woman who had vouehsafed infor-
nation when Lillian had hrst en-
tered the room.
blessed II I know. Looks we'll
to-do, don't she? Strikes me We
amt going to be on this scene any
longer"
She was fairly right IN her prog
nosis.
"I was horrihsd, Lillian Esther
continued, "to find that you were
In this plight. OF course I could
do nothing to stop the sale. 50 In
structed a broker to buy up every
thing that appeared to him to be OF
personal value to you. That's the
old gentleman sitting just opposite
US, and hope he's done a. I asked
him"
Tears and Angels.
-By Jove he has, laughed Guy.
while Lillian warmly expressed her
thanks. II see what's been happen
ing now, and why I couldn't get
anything l bid for. I'm afraid I
ran up the prices for you. Esther
my usual luck where you are con
cerned-"
Let Us go into one OF the other
rooms,' suggested Lillian, at last
we cannot talk quietly here, and
we seem to be disturbing the pro-
ceedings."
Better still. I'll carry you both
OF to lunch" said Esther. and
after that you and I can have q
long talk. Lillian. I'll just speak
TO my old friend. who has been
bidding for me. first. I don't want
him to buy in furniture and that
sort of thing-unless you really
value II. dear-for am going to
take you to live with me, and 80
you won't want It Or perhaps you
will mark his catalogue for him7"
Lillian grssped her friends hand
and pressed It afiectionatelY. you
have appeared like my good angel"
she said. and cannot express my
gratitude to you" There were
tears in her eyes as she spoke. She
was still weak from her long i'll
ness. and her emotions were more
forcibly expressed than had been
usual with re.
IT will arrange everything"
whispered Esther. 'You shall have
nothing to trouble you. know
how Ill you've been and what q hard
time you've had. Leave It all to
me-" She glanced at Lillian. you
do look ill-Rnd changed" abe add
ed. soft pity in her voice. I'm 50
sorry. ! wish I could have helped
you before; but I'll make UP for Il
now"
Lunch at the Astoria.
Esther herself appeared in radI-
ant health. Her checks were flushed
with warm color and her dark eyes
sparkled. Her dress suited her, SO,
too, did the heavy sable cloak
hanging over her shoulders. Some
faint instinct OF feminine coquetry
had persuaded Esther to pin on q
big bunch OF mal-malsons, and the
pale pink flowers looked charming
against the dark fur. Esther af-
fected such touches now, they be-
lOnged to her new life.
Lillian having duly marked the
old brokers catalogue, Esther led
the way to her carriage, which was
waiting for her at the door OF the
house,
I'm staying at the waIdorf-As-
toria," she said, as they drove
away. And that's where We will
go TO lunch, My chRperOn, Mrs.
Meredith, will be waiting anxious
ly for me. Mr.. Borradale, Harold"
she smiled as she spoke the nama
has gone straight to Helm to
be with his mother, so you will not
see him just yet"
This was a relief to Lillian-as
it was, also. to Guy. Neither OF
them had any particular desire to
meet Harold BOrradale that day,
over lunch and in the presence
OF Mrs. Meredith conversation
could take no very intimate form,
Nevertheless. Lillian told much OF
her troubles and OF the events
which had led up to them. II