The Washington times., 1918-03-12
Read Right On in Today's
Installment.
Part One-(Continued)

So Esther went to Harold. who
had indeed been pining for her. And
sitting by his bedside, her hand
clasped in his, she told him that she
would be his wife. They talked for
an hour or more, and in the hap
piness OF the present, the prospects
Of the future, Esther forgot all she
had undergone.
II was as Esther left her lovers
room that a footman brought her a
telegram. She opened 1t with a
little trepidation. Who was there
to communicate with her in this
manner?
The words danced before her eyes.
and she had to read them over a
second time before she fully sppre-
ciated their import. The telegram
came from a New York hospital.
and was signed by some one in Ru-
thority.
Miss VasseIl, Helm Court:
"Your servant, Mary Smith. dying.
wishes TO see you. Come il possible.
Urgent"
Such was tn message. Esther,
tears in her eyes hurried back with
It to Harold's bedside. She was
moved partly with sympathy for the
injured girl, partly by the sudden
transition from the happiness OF the
preceding minutes to thoughts Of
suffering and death. Was not this
one little hour her own?
s6Yes, Dear. You Must Go" He Said.
She handed the telegram to Har-
old Poor girl. poor girl" she sob
bed. "Oh. Harold. ! must go at
once"
Yes, dear" he answered. when he
had read the mIssive. I'm afraid
you must go. But its too bad-too
bad Fate is cruel to u.s. He
glanced at her pale, worn face.
Tired out as you are, too. It's you
who ought to be in bed, nursed and
tended, not ]. DO YOU know any
thing about her, Esther"
Esther shook her head. she has
not been with me very long. She
seemcd a very respectable sort or
girl 1t was yesterday she went to
town, and we have been wondering
why she did not return The little
incideUt Of the hat returned to
Esther ;, mind. but she did not think
II worth mentioning.
on Again TO New York.
Hasty preparations for departure
were made. and this time Mrs. Mere
dIth insisted on accompanying
Esther. \ telegram, too. was sent
10 the hospital announcing tine train
by which Miss NssseIl would arrive.
IT was evening when the travel
ers reached New York. When they
sIighted from the train they were
At once accostcd h. a GentlemAnly
looking man. who raised his hat
respectfully
Miss VasseU. l believe
Esther looked al him in surprise.
HIS face was quite unfamiliar 20
her.
II am Detective Finch" he said.
land the case OF this poor girl,
Mary Smith. has been placed in my
hands ! have q carriage waiting,
Miss Vassell, 10 drive you at once
10 the hospital There is but just
time"
lie led the way TO the carriage.
which he entered with the two
ladies.
Another man sat by the coach
man on the box. Esther glanced a
little apprehensivcly at her uneN-
pected companion. Since her abb
duction by Tweedledee, she had be-
come nervous and suspicious.
The man noticed her look. Pray
don't be alarmed, Miss Nassell,' he
said. I'VE thought Il wisost that
you should have police protection,
and that Is the reason OF my pres
ence with you"
Police protection" cried Esther.
in alarm "But why"
1t appears" he explained. that
This unfortunate girl was wearing
your clothes when she wRs stabbed
The inference IS that the intention
was TO injure you. and that Mary
smith has met her death in conse-
quence OF a bIunder on the part OF
the would-be murderer"
Esther burst into tears. This
new blow was more than she could
stand. THE poor, poor girl" she
mOaned. What can ] do or say?
To have been killed like this, be-
cause she was wearing my clothes,
Oh, Il Is terrible. terrible. ] bring a
curse upon everyone who has any
thing 70 do with me. Is there no