The Washington times., 1918-07-24

nothin' myself before. but when
the servants all talk of ghosts and
such like its enough TO give any
one. the creeps. There was Jane
and Mrs. Fulton-you know what
they said before they left
Tell me what has happened to
you this evening"" interrupted
Esther; never mind the rest"
II was comm downstairs" con-
tinued the girl, somewhat abashed,
''the front stairs
where you should not have
BEEN" said Esther; but never
mind, go on"
''And 1 passed the door OF the
East wing what is shut up. hur-
Tied by, because IL is from there
the strange noises come. l hadn't
gone down more than half a dozen
stairs before / heard a door shut
cautiouslike, and then there were
footsteps that seemed to be followin'
me. never looked back, just
ran, and nearly ran into the
arms of Paul, that foreigner whom
can't bear. who was comm up
without looking where he was
goin'. as usual. He just swears at
me, in that lingo OF his. When 1
got downstairs / came over faint
ike. dnO-dnu lndl oil
She concluded her story lamely,
conscious that it must appear weak
as she told it. And so, indeed, IL
appeared to Esther.
And that is all?" she asked in
dignantly. 1T is for a silly fancy
like that you want to leave this
house? 1t is Just because you have
been listening to all this gossip Of
the servants hall You heard foot
steps-well, but anyone else may
have been UPSTAIRS
The girl shook her head. They
were all below. There isn't nobody
that / know of in the house that il
can have been. and, IL you please,
I'd sooner 60"
Argument with her was useless.
She had made up her mind to go,
and she could not be dissuaded
from her purpose. Esther was
Obliged to grant her permission.
Il think you are a silly girl" she
said, but IL you insist upon going
I shall not prevent you. You may
tell your aunt that shall come and
see her tomorrow"
YES, ma'am." said the girl hum
bly,. as she withdrew.
The story will be all over the
village by tomorrow" said Esther.
returning to her place by the FIRE.
81 could not tell the girl to be ST.
lent, and l cannot stem the tide of
gossip when it once sets in. Helm
will be known as a haunted house
now, and all the tales about Harold
and the Borradale Curse will be in
creased a. tfTousand-fold." She
sighed bitterly and repeated her
question of an hour ago. How will
II all end?"
You have not answered my sug-
gestion yet" said Lillian softly.
ut is kind of you. Lillian. and
may ask you to let me accept it
later. ! know you would have me
most willingly. But I must wait
wait till things become absolutely
unbearable before I take such a
steap. II I left Harold II would
cause a scandal in the county, and
I am anxious. II possible, to avoid
that. Harold is in a deplorable
condition. I know, killing himself
by inches and he will not let me do
anything to help him People would
say that / had deserted him in his
sickness IL l went away. not know
ing how hopeless have been all my
attempts to get near his heart 1
must try once more, Lillian"
Lillian pressed her friends hand.
"Of course, will" she. said. land.
Esther, / am inclined 20 think that
what you suggest IL the wisest
plan AS you say, Harold must pro-
tect you. II he refuses you are
justified in leaving him. 1t is a
pity that you have no male relation
TO consult
81 have no one in the world"
sighed Esther.
There is Guy"
Esther smiled. "He means well.
but he is too impetuous. You
know how he involved me in seri-
Gus trouble before" she shook her
head mo; we must not take Guy
into our confidence"
"Is there no one else?~
Il have only one man friend"
said Esther slowly. whom I would
care to speak to about my private
affairs"
You mean DR.. Fleetwoodr Lii
liam had guessed that a strong
friendship had sprung up between
these two.
Yes. He has been very kind TO
me. Lillian. In a strange way,
WHICH, perhaps L may nave TO eX-
plain to you some day, he and l are
connected"
oh" Lillian opened her eyes in
surprise. but Esther did not ex-
plain further. Have you told him
anything about these strange hap
penings?"
NO. He has been away for the
last fortnight, almost as long as
Harold. This talk Of ghosts and
so on had not begun then. I be-
lieve he returns today. His home
is some ten miles on"
Can you not write or wire him
to come here tomorrow" asked LII
ian. "He knows all about your
position with your husband, does be~
not?"
yes"
docs he know much about
about other things-the Curse. and
so orr
Yes: he knows a great deal
about it"
Lillian laughed. You seem IN
have got on excellent terms with
DIR. Fleetwood, dear" she said.
then, as Esther blushed, "I am glad
OF it" she added you wanted a
real friend and deserve to have one
But tell me-" she continued after
a pause. "can we not send for DR.
Fleetwood TO come here tomorrow ,"
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