The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-21
CHATTER xCL



from Esthsr's lips. She had held
herself back as long as she could
endure the strain. but now the
sense OF impending revelation had
become insupportable. To what
was all this tendlng3 She had no
doubt IN her mind that 4 was in
deed to Adderley Grange that Basil
fleetwood had been brought that
night. that the driver Of the auto
mobile had been Grimstead. that he
had heard the savage cry OF the
Curse exasperated under the whip,
and nnaliy-stTangest Of all-that
Il was Basil, the man 70 whom she
had been married. who was in 11ch
urgent need Of assistance. She
could not conceive the possibility
Of her being mistaken In her sup
position; she felt. that IL was so:
the story toned IN with all her
knowledge: some vague instinct
told her OF what was to come Basil
was to be pulled sufficiently TO
gether to enable him to keep an I'M
pOrtant engagement What could
that engagement be but his mar
rage on the following night-his
marriage to her. So II was that
she started up excitedly.-
@What-what was this engage
ment that he was called upon to
fulhilF's
surprissa Al IntsTTuDtioa.
Basil Fleetwood was taken b.
surprise At the unexpected intar-
ruption to his tale He had thought
that Esther was giving but half
hearted interest to II; she had ~
20 now eontrived TO conceal from
him her real emotion. Now he
= -
IL touched some chord OF memory.
opened some old wound. trespassed
upon enclosed and secret ground.
For q moment he was covered with
confusion
sllra. Borradaie." he stammered.
'',yhat have ] said? I had no idea,
believe me, that my story would
concern you 30 deeply. I see that
Il has done 90. / fear that have
somewhat awakened unpleasant
memories. l.
ssNo-no,- she interrupted, inn
patiently tapping on the floor with
her foot Il want you to go on
must hear the end. There Is more
IN your story than you suspect
or / am much mistaken As you
spoke, have been putting two and
two together-you thought was
net attending. but was. VIII
explain, but hrst answer my ques-
ton quickly: What was this en-
gagementg" .- ~
Any patients projected marriage
said fleetwood. uneasily, but MrA
BorradaIe"-
Was Thll Egfher'B Husba1dR
Esther threw herself back with 3
historical laugh II thought So
she said. There Is no longer any
doubt" For Gmoment she could say
no more. Basil. too. maintained ST.
lenee, wishing in his heart that h
had not spoken He was mysdheds
and not q little troubled atthe turn
events had taken
Il am glad that you have told
me this" Esther said at last. when
she had somewhat regained her
eomposure; ~and. pray, DIT. Fleet
wood. do not blame yourself for
having spoken OF things which.
which trouble me. II Is well that I
should know them You have un-
Willingly opened the door on the
family skeleton. and fate has de-
creed that you should make me
your conhdant- How fate jest8
with men!"
IF had known" he began. II
would sooner have bitten through
my tongue than"
You could not know" she inter-
rupted. alt Is chance that has
brought II about-Or destiny. II I
could have controlled myself, I
would have let you finish your tale
without permitting you to see how
deeply ! was affected-but I am
not strong enough to do that. So
you will continue, knowing that
you have touched the fringe OF The
Borradale mystery"
Mrs. Borradale," he said. and. as
he spoke, he hdgeted uneasily with
some Of the ornaments on the man
telplece. II would rather not con-
tinue. There are things which
would rather not say now that ]
know you-your family-are Affect
ed BY them AS a strange expert
ence In my life, told to some one
who had no knowledge OF the peo-
pie involved, there was no harm in
my tale, but now II Is different I
DO not wish to lncrfminate anyone.
to involve matters that seem al
ready to be terribly involved. to
bring about-as I may-fresh coma
plieAtions and troubles 1t Is that
which fear. Mrs. Borradale." He
turned and faced her. Wont you
lot matters rest as, IL 1 had not
spoken and forgive me for my in
In having spoken at air.
Esther rose and stood by his
side. She was very calm now. She
smiled up in his face.
Inplorss fleetwood To Continue.
Don't be afraid Of that" she
said II do not think that any
thing you may tell me Is likely to
produce fresh trouble. On the con-
trary, Il may throw light upon dark
places. You know"-she looked
him fully In the eyes-"though you
have never referred to it-that my
life 10 not q happy one. Nothing
you can say will Increase the burr
den have to bear, So do not
leave me IN doubt For the sake
Of cur friendship speak exactly a.
'ou would have spoken had you
not learnt that your story affected
ne. You viii do thisg'
IF you command H." he said,
though his voice was still nervous
In tone, Il value your friendship
more than anything upon earth,
Mrs. BoFradala Surprising ] should
forfeit Il through telling you the
TRUTH I am afraid OF that. The
fact ia," he added desperately,
shat WhaeI was about to tell you
Was In the nature OF q confession.
You would have been kind to me
under other circumstances, ! know,
but will you noWG Oh"-he stretch
ed out his hands ~ fear -
ankak