The Washington times., 1918-02-21
Part One-(Continued)

with each in turn, then returned to
assist her from the landau. As she
descended something in the aspect
of the man who had been described
as the new rector struck her as IA
miIiar. She looked again, and a long
Ehudder convulsed her body-a shud-
der which Mr.. Graves felt and won
dered at
You are not cold, Miss Vassell -
be asked. anXiously.
'Oh. no; it is nothing" she replied
forcing a smile
But her frightened eyes belied her
words. For in the cleric who had
been talking to her manager she had
ed church, the man who had united
her in marriage to a convict.
The Haunting Pale Face.
There could be no mistaking that
pale face and the white hair that
gave false impression of age. The
sunken eyes. too. and the deep voice
how wildly now the memory of il
was to be brought TO Esther's very
door-would il be for good or i'll?
Mr.. Graves was introducing her
arst to the rector. and then-without
q pause-to the manager. She bowed
slightly to them both. The white
haired man gave no sign of recogni-
zion; he spoke n few commonplRces
1t was a pleasure to be the first
20 greet his new parishioners. though
the meeting was quite accidental
and so on-and so on-then he took
his departure, walking with long
strides along the tufted path
by the side OF the white highway.
Mr.. Graves looked after him with a
half smile.
Curious looking fellow. isn't he?
Just taken the place of the old rec
Tor, who had 10 retire because of ILL
health. The people haven't got ac-
eustomed to him yet-his appearance
IS rather against him" He laughed.
81 thought you looked quite scared at
him, Miss Nassell."
Did II" returned Esther. with as
stunned cArelessness. Perhaps there
IS something in his face which has
that effect upon strangers. 1 wish
he had not come to Helm"
HE Is friend OF Mr.. Borradale's,
who Is an influential resident OF the
parish. and I don't think he would
appoint an undesirable person" The
hwyer spoke with a suggestion of
asperity. Esther judged him to be
Pycophanttc, very much as was Mrs.
Meredith.
you will probably meet the rec
cor at lunch" continued Mr.. Graves
He is often at the Towers, because
j believe the rectory is not quite
ready for his occupation"
Esther wished that she had re-
FUSED the invitation to lunch. but she
Haid nothing for Mr.. Graves had al
POady mentioned the fact rather pom
.pously to the manager of the estate,
and she did not wish to appear I'M
gracious.
BOrradale Prig, Detests Him.
I'm sure that I shall dislike this
~. Borradale," she murmured to her
self I'm convinced he's a prig and
oIat's type of man I detest" As
G11S thought crossed Esther's brain
~ found herself on the threshold OF
Helm Court. OF which she was the
acknowledges mistress.
II was with some emotion she step
ped into the wide, Osk-paneled hall.
and she forgot to think about the
hour ahead. There was something
that appealed 10 her IN the wide hall.
sombre and shadow filled. and the
girls quick imagination peopIed il
with ghosts. ghosts Of dead men and
women who had lived their little day
and then passed on.
AZ one in a dream she Cazed at the
ylchly carved mantlepiece. and she
touched a heavy leather chair with
trembling. tentative fingers: tho giId-
*nE had worn on long ago but Esther
seemed TO see IL as Il had been.
The little procession wandered I'D
and down the old house. admirinE and
Appraising- Mrs. Meredith glanced
1t Esther once or twice. and thought
that the girl looked strangely white
and silent, also that il seemed an ef-
fort for her TO talk much.
You will enjoy going over those
lovely rooms later on" she whispered
them alone. l can guess just what
you are feeling. hate to be sur
rounded by crowd"
Esther Fond Of ChaperOn.
Esther glanced al the other woman |
gratefully. She was beginning To- |
get very fond OF her chaperon. Mrs
Meredith was always syInpathetic 1
and cheerful, and seeing that Esther |
liked 10 be n good deal alone, was /
careful never to intrude on her
Heelusion. She was q brilliant con
Nersationalist. and II pleased the girl /
10 listen TO her bright, Tacy accounts /
ot Journeys in foreign lands strange
people and odd customs
As the carriage bOwled along 10 the /
Towers Esther leaned back agalnst
che well-Btuffed cushions Of tn. Ian
dRu' speaking every now and then 10
Mrs. Meredith or TO Mr.. Graves. bur
her own voice sounded strange to her
and she seemed to be gazing at her
Gelf from afar.
Grifins Leered At Her.
She awoke to the realty OF things
rs the carriage swept in through the
park gates. awoke with a start.
Where had she seen those griffns
before? Those grIffns lecring at her
from the gate, their hungry tongues
thrust out. their great jaws distend-
ed. Living creatures, surely, not mere
carved stone Why, she had the same
crest at Adderly, and now to come
across it again. She leaned back in
her scat. half closing her eyes
oppressed. alarmed.
Whats the matter. dear? DO YOU
feel faint" asked Mrs. Meredith.
kindly. She had taken great fancy
10 Esther. and was heartily sorry for
the lonely heiress; also she read