The Washington times., 1918-06-19
Part one-(continued)

voice out 1 do not th4nk " Q nave
ever met before"
Yet there was hesitation in his
tone, which Esther did not fail to
nptice.
'Toward the end Of the summer
Harold BOrradale yielded to the
necessity OF a return 10 Helm.
There were duties there which had
TO be attended TO, and which he
could not longer overlook. He
hated anything which interfered
with his seclusiOn, but the call for
his presence on his property had
become imperative. The good peo-
pie OF Helm had made every lati
tude for him. II seemed natural
that he should be much upset by
the death OF his mother. but now
several months had passed, and
such was his popularity. as well as
that OF Esther, that. as Mr.. Graves
wrote, things would go badly in
deed II he disappointed the conf
dence that had been reposed in him
They want to see you" so Mr..
Graves wrote, "and they will give
you a most cordial welcome. There
are several matters which you can
best attend to personally. All your
tenants hoped that you would take
up your permanent residence at
Helm. In any case. pray come down
for a few Weeks-it would give
the greatest satisfaction"
Esther was pleased to 20. In her
heart she would have preferred to
have stayed at the court, but nat
urany IL was her husbands house
to which she must go. The court
- -
memory OF many happy days. 1t
had been let by Mr.. Graves for
short period so strangers occupied
the home OF the bookings. She
had offered IL to Guy, but he would
not accept IL.
OF Adderly there had been no
mention between her husband and
herself. Certainly he had not acted
Up to the promise once so bravely
made that he would overhaul II
from cellars to attics: on the con-
trary he seemed disposed to let
matters so on exactly as they had
done in his fathers time.
Occasionally. but not often, he
would absent himself for a day or
a couple OF days, and then she felt
convinced IL was to Adderley that
he had gone. but he told her moth
ing Of his doings. He was always
more morOse and self-centered on
his return Once she thought that
he had been drinking again
GFimstead Avoided Esther.
Sometimes, too, Grimstead would
come to the house; but the solicitor
always avoided her, and she had
not spoken to him since her mar
rage. He would be closeted for
hours with her husband. Lillian,
like herself, avoided Grimstead.
Another matter troubled Esther
at this time, and Lillian was con-
cerned in IL. The two women had
become great friends. but Harold
had never approved OF the friend
ship. AS a rule, he allowed his
wife perfect latitude; she might go
and come as she wished. make her
own plans and her own friends, but
for some reason-pOssibly because
OF her associations with Adderley,
possibly instigated by Grimstead-
he objected to Lillian. Esther had
struggled for her friends sake, but
Harold at last had taken an OBJ
stinate standpoint Lillian and Es-
Their must part. The impending
visit 70 Helm afforded a good OPP
portunity.
"But why, Helen asked. dss'
perately.
81 wish It," he answered. coldly.
Am ] obliged to give my reason?
There Is one which should be quite
sufficient. Mrs. Willoughby is not
a ut person to be in constant asso-
citation with my wife. Her reputa-
tion in society Is very bad-you
know that yourself. Esther. Next
year you will be out Of mourning,
and will probably be asked out a
great deal. Can you take Mrs. Will
loughby with your Your intimacy
with her would do you considerable
social harm. People know about
her bigamy; they know, too, that
your cousin, Guy. her second hus-
band, constantly comes to this
house. Don't you see that there Is
matter for scandal in such a posi-
tion?"
Sees Truth OF Argument.
And Esther was oblKged TO admit
to herself that he was right in this.
but. womanli<e, she did not yield
without returning the blow.
You refuse me your own So
cicty," she said, and you do not
allow me to be with people l like
Oh, Harold. do you wish to drive
me to solitude like your OWN"
Take anyone else as your COM D..
panion." he returned. Il under
stand that Mrs. Meredith Is at lib
erty again. Ask her to accompany
YOU to Helm. I do not forbid you
seeing Mrs. Willoughby, but 1 do
not wish her to live under the same
roof with you. There is no more
to be said"
Harold never allowed himself to
be drawn into an argument On this
matter he had made up his mind,
and consequently. though much
against her will. Esther was
Obliged to tell Lillian that they
must part.
81 rather anticipated that NJ.
Rorradale would object to me-"
said Lillian, when, with tears in
her eyes. Esther conhded to her
what had passed. The fact is. l
know too much about Adderley to
please Mr.. Grimstead. The talk OF
my moral character is only blind.
though there is truth in 1t, Esther.
and your friendship for me might
do you harm. Don't cry, dear. I'll
go. and perhaps it is for the
best"
But we can meet-Often-when
am in New York. Lillian, can we
not?" urged Esther.
"Of course" returned Lillian
"And-and how will you live?"
Esther hesitated over the delicate
question. You must let me help
you just as IL we were still to-
gether." she added. impulsively.
Lillian smiled. There are AL