The Washington times., 1918-04-12
The Wolves of New York
STORY OF LOVE AND MYSTERY
Lillian, Released by Pietro, Returns
Home and Finds Her Maid Has
Admitted a Strange Caller

court She hurried back to the cup
board. and with feverish haste re-
stored the scattered hric-a-brac 70
their place. She had barely time 20
close the door before she heard his
step on the stair.
She had replaced everything en-
cept the bears claws. Overcoming
her repugnance. she thrust these
into the bosom OF her dress
Lillian IL Released.
Lillian's servants-she kept but
three In her small house-were Go-
cuStomed to her long absence from
home, Usually she communicates
10 them the probable date OF her re-
turn. but IL she was away for .
week for even q fortnight without
writing they were not likely to bo-
come alarmed. This time she had
been absent barely q week, 30, ~
she expected, she found all as she
had left IL, and nothing in the
smallest degree suggestive OF any
thing unusual having occurred
II was early afternoon when shA
returned. During the morning shA
had accompanied Pietro to the va
rIous banks and successfully nego-
tiating the cashing OF checks There
had been no difficulty; each one had
been duly honored Pietro was, In
consequences, in high good temDerj
he had made $4,000 instead OF the
$4,000. which he had demanded,
made this money, too. without mueh
exertion or running into any par
tieular danger.
~ Lesve For Italy soon.- He sai6
He had parted from Lillian at the
railroad station. in three or four
days now ] 90 to Salerno. signorA
he had said. Never shall you ~
troubled with me again: no more do
] offer you the hospitality of my
New York house. But IL you should
come to Salerno-ah, will welcome
you, and you will say. sPietro RennL
he not ungrateful, he not forget
his friends.'" The smile which 40
companied these words was erusl
and cynical. though evidently meant
to be amiable. The bears claws
which Lillian still carried in the
bosom OF her dress seemed to Be
scratching at her flesh.
Thank you" she said eoldly."
I'm not likely to trouble you-oR
be troubled by you-either here -
in Italy. I've had my lesson, Pietro,
and i am not going to be caught
again. I don't care whether you
20 or stay. but for your own sake
I'd advise you to 60 I'm free 70
retaliate upon you, you know, II !
think well TO do So"
Lillian Arrives Home.
1t was with these words she 1sfs
him. II had been arranged that -
was to call at her house the follow
ing day for the various documents
which he had promised to Old Ep-
stone. Mr.. WIlbraham, and Captain
Stainer.
In her own luxurious rooms she
bathed-hov delicious il was.-and
IL seemed as IL she would never tire
OF perfuming herself, and brushing
out her neglected hair. 1t was -
long since she had enjoyed the san
sation of real cleanliness.
She dressed herself IN one Of her
prettiest gowns. taking a keen
pleasure in the delicate hue and
the costly lace that adorned 1t, for
the lavender crepe de chine formed
such q contrast to the ragged attirS
OF the women by whom she had
lately been surrounded.
"Has Anybody Called, she Asked.
1t was not till she was nearly
dressed that Lillian asked her maid
any questions as to the happenings
st the house during her absence
This maid had not been long in her
service, and was not so accumtomsd
to her ways as were the other SER
wants. She was French. but had
been so long in America that she
had almost lost the manrerismS Of
her country.
Lillian adopted a careless tone.
In spite OF washing, perfuming.
and making UP she felt that the
taint OF the slumS must still be
clinging to her.
said, "and feel a positive weed .
i've been travelling a good deal
during the last few days. and there's
nothing that wearies SO much a.
that does. Have many people called
here while was away
Yes. Madame, several" ClemsA-
tine enumerated the names, showing
a quickly gained knowledge OF h0P
mistress visiting list.
All, they are OF no importanc0F
said Lillian with . yawn. They
will come again"
WhO Was the Strange MEnR
"I forget to say. Madame con-
tinued the maid, after a pause.
that one gentleman would not give
his name. He called yesterday
sfternoon-late. He said that hS
had seen you. and"
seen me" Lillian interrupted
sharply.
"Yes, Madame. He said that he
had seen you, and that you were
coming home that afternoon. You
had asked him to go In and waltz
We were quito surprised that yOH
did not come"
Did you show this man inF"
Lillian was giving evident signs q
agitation and annoyance.
yes. He seemed to know the
house well. He seemed quite Gt
home. We did not think there was
anything wrong. Madame"
what was he like, this gentle
man."
He was tall and had gray hair.
He speak very easily. and laugh A.
he speak. lie was a gentleman
about that Her hand slipped un-
recollection OF the half-sovereiEn
which she had received.
what Was His -SIIssIOnP
where was Ellen: She would
have known that / do not wish this