The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-14

The travellers had reached New
York that morning after a IA
tiguing journey. Harold had
taken the departure I'll; He
seemed to be more concerned at
having to abandon the routine Of
his life than at the knowledge OF
his mothers illness. His feelings
were exactly expressed by the words
which he had made use Of when
Esther had read the telegram At
one time, indeed, Esther had fear
'er that 5he would refuse to 20.
whats the good?7 he said IN
that -hoarse voice to which she
was now accustomed "She Is going
to die--she will die whether I am
there or not She Is happy. Win Il
make her any happier to see met"
And looking at him, Esther hesi-
tated She was constrained to ad-
nit that II Mrs BoPFadale saw him
as he then was she would hardly
die in peace
Harold Bess To he Excused.
Cannot you go alone7' he went
on Say that I am laid up with
a touch of fever-any excuse. Say
that you are very happy and that
all is well She will never believe
it IL she sees me; she is so acute
Besides, cannot change from my
habits now-I cannot"
Esther was almost disposed to
yield She would go alone, she
would do her utmost to sooths
Mrs. BorradaIe's dying moments.
But Lillian drew her aside and
whispered excitedly in her ear:
You must persuade him to go,
Esther. you must 1t may be the
saving OF him He wishes his moth
er to think that all Is well. Per
hape he will make an effort on her
behalf. He must go-and tonight
1 will send a telegram in your
name and make all preparations.
But you must induce him to go"
She hurried on, and Esther
turned TO her task. The man sat
duh and stolid- one arm resting on
the marble balustrade, his eyes
fixed on the blue waters Of the lake.
II was a perfect afternoon, such a
spring day as Italy may show.
Across the lake the villas OF BeIlag-
gio,appeared through a slight haze
against their background 81 wood
and garden; they reminded Esther
OF Jewels in some quaint old-worId
setting. Far away to the north the
dim outline OF mountains; Il was
from beyond Those mountains that
the call had come, summoninE her
to attend a deathbed. Behind her
the sun. low in the sky. threw q
glamour OF red upon her immediate
surroundings-villa terrace, marble
balustrade, and upon the pale face
OF the man seated listlessly on the
stone bench. Il seemed to Esther
that there was promise in the color
ing. Harold's face seemed more
natural than II had appeared for
many a day. Some one was singing
from a little boat in the bay, a
cheerful Neapolitan song. and there
was promise in that, too. Light
laughter rose from the road that
swept beneath the terrace. Esther
was not quite sure II the sound
came to her as a mockery or
q relief.
Appeals to Better Nature.
To her intense Joy Harold opposed
no very. strong resistance to her
earnest request. you love your
mother, Harold" she said plead
Ingly. "She has devoted her life to
you: you will not let her leave US
receiving her blessing"
Her blessing-to me-" he said,
brokenly.
"Oh, but you must have It." cried
Esther. She will not know-she
must not know-and who can say
how much OF the Curse that hangs
over you may not be removed by
her blessing? We will do as you