The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-23
Part One (Continued)


advent Of the intruders.
"'Niobe Weeping is well worth
a visit, besides, want to show you
our picture gallery, and heaps OF
other things"
I'm afraid I must not lose that
train. thanks all the same. Mr.. Bor-
radale" 80 began to walk back
to the hoe as she spoke, closely
followed by the young man ANY
way, 1 have had a peep OF delight
ful garden, and refreshed my soul
with private hedges.
you will not forget our COM
pact" whispered Mr.. Borradale, as
he held open the great oak door 10
allow Esther to enter. we are
going to be sworn friends" He
looked at her very earnestly, and
the girl flushed a little as she an
Gwered softly:
No, 1 shall not forget"
Bids Mrs Borradale Adieu.
A few moments later she was
taking a hasty adieu of Mrs. Bora
dale. The invalid had returned TO
her sofa by now, and was resting
in her pleasant bOudoir, but she
seemed loath to say good-by to
Esther, kissing her affectionately
on both cheeks, a pretty French
habit she affected.
You must often come over, dear,
she said. in her clear, beautiful
voice. "as soon as you are installed
at Helm Court. ! knew your uncle
very well years ago, and l loved
his wife dearly. Yes, Esther, you
and I are going to be friends
Esther VasseIl flushed Z deep red.
Mrs. Borradale's kindness touched
her. and she bent her young head
and kissed the older woman's cold,
thin fingers with a sudden burst OF
affection. Here was a real friend
at last, she felt, some one she could
turn to in time of need, a woman
TO be relied on and trusted. Esther
was thankful to see that the rector
had taken his departure. His pres
ence had been the one blot on an
otherwise delightful day.
They Return To New York.
When her guests had finally de-
parted Mrs. Borradale sank back
among her cushions with a sigh of
extreme WEAKNESS. Excitement al
ways tired the nervous, delicate
her small pleasures, pay a heavy
price.
Lie perfectly still, you queen Of
mothers" Harold remarked fondly.
''You are not to leave that sofa for
an hour" He drew a chair forward as
he spoke, and sat down by her side.
II have just seen our friends off,
he went on. What do you think
of Miss VasselI, mother? 1 am very
anxious to hear your real opinion"
The young man spoke with a good
deal Of earnestness, his mouth set
Ting into a determined line, as il
his own decision was already
formed.
az am quite charmed with Es-
Their replied Mrs. Borradale. "She
IS very pretty in a refined, delicate
style, and ! like her sweet, low
voice; she is so different from your
modern young wOman-the girl
who always strikes me as being
sort OF cross between a stable boy
and a variety actress"
Esther Harold's Ideal Woman.
I'VE agree over Miss TasseH,
then," remarked Borradale, slowly.
Mother. I am so glad'-he bent
over the sofa as he spoke and
kissed her on her forehead. you
have often spoken OF marriage to
me-" he went on, but have avoid
ed the subject, prcferrinG a bach
eIor freedom. Things are different
today, though, for ] have met the
ideal woman at last. Yes. mother,
have met Esther Nassell."
As Guy Hooking had told his
cousin, he found It quite impossible
TO give up the style OF life which
he had adopted. For few days he
avoided his habitual haunts. but il
was for a few days only. Life at
his flat without the usual round or
excitements became unbearably
dull, and he had no other outlet for
his energy. Work, work. what
work was he capable OF. and who
would give him employment? Yet
he must do somethinE-that was
very certain-for even IL he did not
gamble il away, $1,000 would not go
very far with him. And that was
all he had. There was Esther, of
course. but he had made up his
mind Ne would accept no more
1avors from her. and, To do him
Justice, he intended 10 stick 10 his
resolution.
Decides To Be Wolf.
He had no other scruples. Money
he must have, and the way by
which he gained it was OF small
moment He was accustomed to
{ seeing men-Tweedledum, for ex-
Gmple-who were never really short
Of cash, though the way by which
they made il was an enigma to all
but themselves. They preyed upon
others, of course, so much they did
not disguise, young fools like him
self who had plenty Of money TO
throw away; well, there were plenty
more such as he had been. and he
was a fool 81 he could not do a lit
tie exploiting to his own advantage.
He would be a hawk instead OF a
pigeon. lie overlooked the imDossi-
bility OF such a metamorphosis. He
was by nature q pigeon, and the
art Of plucking feathers is not ac-
CURED by undergoing il.
He ran over in his mind the cate
CORY Of his acquaintance. and real
fzed that they were practically all
of the type that preys. Well. he
must throw in his lot with these
men: perhaps they would receive
him as one Of themselves now they
know that he had no more to lose
or would they throw him over?
II was with some idea Of satisfy
ing himself upon thls point that
Guy Heeking ysItuTed 10 show him