The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-11

j am free to marry him VIII SaN
no more: I will not speak a word
to living soul OF what has hap
pened TO me. here--if / do this will
any danger threaten me-and him
in consequence"
"Nou are not free. said Lillian,
in a. low, strained voice.
mot free? But tell You saw
Pleads With Esther Not to Marry.
Nevertheless, you are not free.
] tell you this upon my word Give
up all idea OF this marriage"
What have to fear?"
Lillian shrugged her shoulders,
but made no answer.
zone or the other" cried Esther
passionately. Il shall either speak
the whole truth and let Harold
Borradale, who is good and true,
advise me. or shall keep silent
and become his wife. ] tell you
this, Lillian, and my mind is made
up. will not listen to vague
threats any longer. There shall be
an end of II. and that very soon"
Lillian put her arms about the
girl and kissed her sadly upon the
forehead. 81 can do no more than
warn YOU. Esther" she said. RE
member that ! have done that. You
must act as you think wisest, but
IL anything terrible should happen
to you in consequence OF your de-
cision, remember that 1 warned
you"
And thus they parted. Esther
made one attempt to induce Lillian
to return to town with her.
NO" sighed the woman: II must
20 back. There is work for me TO
do"
Returns to New York.
Esther reached New York in time
TO save the dispatch OF the letters
which she had written to Harold
and to Guy.
At the Chesterfield she was at
liberty to rest as long as she liked,
and this she did. after sending
short letter to Mrs. Borradale an
nouncing her return the next day.
II have been successfuT-thus
she concluded the missive-'in as
certaining the truth as to my posi-
ton, and il Harold still wishes to
marry me, and will do so without
question-if my secret may remain
a secret from him as from every one
else feel that I may say yes to
him when he speaks again. And I
that this will make him happy and
that he will quickly get well and
strong again"
Mrs. Meredith met her at the sta
ton the next day. and as they drove
back to Helm Court talked voIubly
OF all that had happened during her
short absence. Harold Borradale?
OF course Esther would ask about
him first. Mrs. Meredith smiled
srchly. He was very much the
same, il anything a bit better; he
seemed to have cheered up since
Esther's letter came that morning.
Mary, the Maid. Disappears.
There was one little piece of do
nestle intelligence which had TO
be related. Mary, Esthpr's maid.
had disappeared. She had asked
for days holiday. her mistress
being away. and had gone to see
some friends In New York. but she
had not returned since. and no one
knew what had become of her. It
was sRgravatinE. for smart maids
were 80 difficult TO find. but Mrs.
Meredith was quite ready to do all
ip her power TO take her place I'M
til another one should be engaged.
CURED to Esther. but she said moth
ing about 1t. Her mind was filed
with the thoughts OF Harold and
what he would say to her when
they met.
At Helm Court Mrs. Borradale
kissed her warmly and whispered
that she had told Harold of Esther's
letter, all inJunctions notwithstand-
ing.
Esther returned the kiss with real
affection. She knew that the old
lady's fOndnPss for her was not OK
agEerated and she appreciated the
trustfulness OF her nature.
ct shall Become HarOId's wife"
You arc taking me on trust. dear
mother" she whispered, FOR l am
still not at liberty to toll YOU Of
the troubles that have mad to
struggle with. They will exist till
the day Of my death: but this I can
say in all confidence, there is moth
ing, nothing to prevent me from be-
coming Harold's wife"
That is all we ask Of you, dear"
returned the old lady. I'VE have,
unhappily. our own secrets, our
own skeleton to contend with" She
looked wistfully into Esther's eyes.
Some day, dear, when you are Har-
ODDS wife. you may be asked TO
share a great trouble with him. or
you may have TO bear the knowl-
edge that he has trouble which
he cannot confide to you; will you
be as good and trusting with him
then as he is with you now"
Esther laughed, and there was
genuine JOY In the sound Of her
laughter. why do you laugh,
Esther"
because. dear mother, ! had this
in my mind. When Harold tells
me the truth as to the BorradaIe
ours" ! will tell him sll that now
think IL wisest 10 keep TO myself.
II shall be compact between. US.
Perhaps our secrets may be more
nearly allied than either he or you
expects"
Are Their Curses COnnectedf
The old lady glanced at her keen
ly and with something Of compass
sion in her look. Harold has hint
ed to me that your troubles are not
Unconnected with those OF our fam
lily. l wonder"-She broke off
suddenly, and then added: But
Will say no more. dear. Let us all
forget, II we can, that this world
Of ours il SO much more generous
OF pains than Of joys. 60 to Harold.
He wants you. We viii be happy in
the PRESENT"
Continued Tomorrow
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