The Washington times., 1918-06-10
Prt one-(Continued)

room. Then she turned to the door;
he must come noW-surely he must
eome.
No sound rose from the door be-
lew where was HGrold'S study.
Esther walked out on the landing,
where the carefully shaded electric
Light was burning brightly, and look
ed down over the balustefs. The
study dOor-she could Just see it
vas shut; that OF the dining room,
exactly opposite, was open, and
red glow suGiced itself from
within, mingIinE with the clearer,
whittier light Of the hall
She peeped at the clock again
through the open door OF the bou-
doir. Il was ten minutes past IL;
the chime shepherdess had her
crook pointed toward the timepiece
aS IL sho Wsre calling derisiTe at
tention TO the hour; the smile now
seemed moeZing rather than inane.
Esther creht back 70 the baius-
tiers; she could not stay in the bou-
doir. With sudden decision abe
switched OF the electric light She
was in darkness now, and there
was no fear Of her being seen from
below.
She never knew how long she re-
maiAed thus. The silence tortured
her; the slightest sound caused her
to start with fear. She could hear
the Beating Of her own heart Her
head aehsd painfully, and by de-
greeH the objects Of the han below
seemed blurred to her eyes. The
many-branched antlers OF q stag
some souvenir OF the chaSe-ap-
ypeared Eaunt and distorted, like
long arms with fingers extended to
grfp and kill The recollection OF
such hands, Gs she had seen them,
came to her, and for a long while
she could not remove her horrihed
eyes from the antlerA
Soon a feeling Of fAintness came
upon her, and she sank upon her
knees, her forehead pressed against
the balustsT8, one arm passed be-
tween them and hanging listlessly;
dine was OF no more account
GFinstsaa - HarOld Return.
Suddenly the door Of the study
ops1sd- Esther gpranE to her feet:
q was a. u abe had taken q violent
restorative GFimstead emerged,
followed By her husband. She could
not see their faces from where she
stood, but &c seemed TO her that
Harold walked with bent shoulders.
He passed directly beneath the
pointed antlsrs, those horrid seem
ing hands. No word was uttered.
Esther was straihing her ears to
catch the feassurinG sound Of HAF-
eld'S CHEEKY Good night" Grim
stead himself opened the street door
aAd passed out, while Harold stood
inert Then the door closed gent
ly, and . moment later she heard
the rolling wheels OF the departing
cab. She wanted to call out 20 her
husband, but her arr lips would not
move He remained Standing IN the
same position for q moment; then
abe saw him raise his arms, the
hands eIasped together, abOye his
head, while his head sank down BE-
meath them 70 bis breast. The atti-
tude was one Of absolute, helpless
despair.
''Haroid-HaroIdl" The name
came to her lips, but her voice was
but . whisper, and he could not
hear.
The next second ne turned and
came slowly towards the stairs.
she could see his face now, and
she trembled at the sight of Il.
Was he indeed so deadly pale, or
was Il the effect OF the white light
which shone upon hint We're his
features so drawn and haGgard, or
could 50 be the fevered Imagination
Of her brain? His lips seemed TO
be tWitching. ana It was as II he
were muttering TO himself. a wisp
of hair hung Imply across his
forehead, = condition absolutely at
variance with his usual neEtness.
He groped with his hands as II he
could not see
PoVEeFIeas to Act.
He began 70 ascend the stairs,
EraspinE the balusteFS with one
hand and seemingly pulling himself
mp. His progress vas very slow.
Esther wanted TO scream his name,
but 1t was as IL she had been struck
dumb.
Suddenly her limbs were loosened,
and abe ran down the few remain
ing stairs to meet him. She
grasped him By the arm. for at
frst he did not seem to realize her
presence
'HGroIdF she cried, and then
again, ~HaFold"
Ho turned and faced her. They
we're in the 6emi-dGFkness Of the
landing. He leant back against
the baluSterS and his breath came
IN short gasps-
Why y IL 20 dArkF' be mutter-
%.
aT SWitehed off the light I have
been watching for you from the
landing. Oh, Harold, has II been
20 tsFFIble?"
He made no reply, but elinEinG
20 her arm. continued 70 mount the
stairs. They reached the landing,
and Esther led him TO the boudOir.
Eere they were once more In the
brilliantly lighted room. Harold
sank down into the first chair and
hid his facS IN his hands
'foh. NY dear, my dear, what is
it? Cannot you tell met"
The shoulders Of the strong man
shook eonVuisiVely. Esther drag
Fed at his handa. She threw her
self upon her knees At his side and
covered ht8 fingerS with kisSOk.
Tell me, tell ne" she cried, her
voice pitched high In her disnaY.
That horrible maA-What has he
said 70 youf Speak to me, Harold,
70 me. Esther, your wife. What
has he doneg"
Harold dropped his hands - his
sides GxpoStAg 70 VisW thS full