The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-07
The PlOtters.
aLOveStOry
An Unusual Serial of
East and West by
Virginia Terhune
Van de Water
CHAPTER LII.

that Elizabeth Wade felt at this
tuncture. Breeding and training
had taught her a self-posession
that would have done credit to q
matured woman OF the world. Her
his'rlonic talent also stood her IN
good stead now. She told herself
that she had a part to play and
must play 1t well.
Had she doubted her lovers In
noCence she would have found II
harder to maintain an equable ex-
terror. As II was. she stayed her
soul upon the certainty Of his
guiItlesrness and the knowledge
of his love for her.
So she was able to talk sooth-
inEly to Martha Chaplin as she I'M
dressed her and helped her int
bed.
The matron, appalled, and horri-
ned at what had happened. was not
the heart-broken being she would
have been had she loved her huJ-
band better and feared him lesA
After she had cried for awhile her
thoughts turned longingly to her
boy.
"If / could only see Clifford"
she moaned at the end of an hours
talk
II will telegraph for him q.
once" Elizabeth told her. at was
stupid of me not to think OF this
sooner"
Going softly downstairs, she
started toward the rear hall where
the telephone was. At the sound
Of her step Butler came out from
the living room. Through thS
he p
Milder was still there.
What can / do for you, dearr
Butler queried in a low voice.
She explained that she wished
him to send a telegram to Cliff
ford Chaplin.
you can telephone 1t to the
telegraph office" she went on
simply say that his father Is
dead, and that he must come on
Immediately"
what is his address," Butler
queried. taking out pencil and
pocket pad.
The girl smiled at him approv-
inRly. 81 am proud of your self
possession. dear" she whispered
Il will get the address from Mrs
Chaplin.
She was back in a minute with
the address. When Butler had
taken it she asked a question,
Who's in there now?" as she
heard steps In the small room
THE coroner and his assistant"
John replied. Then, seeing her
change color slightly, he took her
hand in his
Don't worry. dear. 1t Is only
formality that must be gone
through"
Il know" she nodded. "I am not
worrying. And you must not
either"
NO" he promised, mot while
I have you. And. dear. you must
not mind when the sheriff comes.
The sherifP' She caught her
breath sharply.
yes. darling. That is only an
other formality."
VERY WELL" she murmured-
She started upstairs. then stop
ped. seized by a sudden idea
John" turning back, 81 want
you to send another telegram for
me-"
ITO whom"
ITO Douglass. need him"
VERY well. dear" John said
slowly. But will 1t be conven-
lent to him?"
HE must come whether it is or
not" she rejoined bluntly. Yes
l must have him"
"Ar right" the man agreed
what shall I say to him."
"Only-T need you Come imme-
diately. Sign II Elizabeth.
Then she returned to Mrs. Cha
pin, and. sitting by her bed. tried
talk of what was on her mind.
81 don't see haw Pa happened to
be fooling with that pistol" Mar
tina Chaplin said. And at the words
Elizabeth started violently. 1t had
not occurred to her that this sim
ple-minded woman had not con-
nected John Butler with the cir
cumstances OF her husbands death.
you see," the matron went on,
''he never used to bother much
about a pistol. He always kept
one. but / never saw him with II
on his person till today. Then he
showed IL to me when he came
back from discharging that crazy
Pole. He said he had taken II
with him in case Talak waxed ugly.
and that it was loaded. I felt
kinder nervous when he said that.
II suppose he was handling il
when he was arguing with Mr..
Butler. From his voice you could
know he was getting reckless in
his talk In his excitement he
must have pulled the trigger. not
noticing a thing that he was DO
ing. or what way the pistol was
pointed"
A look at the face on the pillow
showed Elizabeth Wade that the
speakers words were as sincere as
her spirit was Ruileless. And as
she realized this the girl bent for
ward impulsively and. putting her
arms about the woman. kissed her
tenderly.
pear. dear Mrs. Chaplin she
murmured. How good you are
Oh. my dear. am sorry for you"
Thank you. dearie!" Mrs. Cha
pin patted the fair young cheek.
You're a great comfort to me.
honey. You must not worry about
me. It's all terrible. but"-a CLEAN
OF light coming to her eyes-"if I
can only see Clifford I'll feel bet
ter. You think he'll surely come.
don't you?"
"Of course he will. as fast as the
tarin can carry him." Elizabeth
said confidently. And he'll keep
YOU with him after this-always."
As she saw the faint smile come
to the mothers's lips Elizabeth
Wade appreciated that maternity,
not matriuony. had been the pas
sion OF this plain woman's life
To BE Contained.