The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-20

ter go and lie down" She held out
her hands as she spoke Hooking
bent down and kissed them.
when you want friend, send for
me. dear" he said huskily, I'm not
good enough to walk by your side;
my shadow ought net even to cross
your path, and yet" he paused,
gazing hard into her pure. tired face.
when you need me Esther he add
ed slowly, "eall to me and I'd tramp
aeIpss the earth TO come to you"
The next second the door had closed
on him. Esther Vassell was once
more Alene-slene with her troubled
heart.
EstheF's New. Home.
It was few days after her inter-
view with Guy that Esther. in the
company of Mrs. Meredith. who Is now
installed as her ehapePon, paid her
first visit to Helm court, the old Colo
NAL mansion, which had for many
years been the summer home of the
Hockings, which had now become
Esther's property. John Graves, the
lawyer, was in attendance as their
guide. He was very anxious that
Esther should not delay taking UP her
residence in the great house that was
now hers. and in the train he expati-
ated loudly upon its beauties and upon
the desirable nature OF the neighbor
hood and neighbors.
THE estate that touches that of
Mr.. Barrodale," he said, "a most es-
Unable young mamie was fond OF
such stereotyped expressions-''who
lives alone with his mother. They are
CLIENTS Of mine, and am sure they
will greet you warmly, Miss Vassen
Hated New York.
81 hate New YerA," he said-'all big
cities. in fact, They TEEN with unpun-
ished villaihy, Read your daily paper
is 1t not . shocking revelation?
Crime Is rampant. and the worst OF 1t
is that crime so often goes undetected.
Take, for example, this murder at
Madison Square Garden the other
night-for 1t appears that It undoubt-
sdly was q murder"
'Those peculiar marks on the neck"
put in Mrs. Meredith, isn't there
something strange about that? seem
to remember another undetected muir
der some months Rgo-it was in the
country, Mr.. Graves," she added, with
touch of malice, land the marks on
the throat Of the dead man were very
much the same as these-oF so have
heard. Attention was called TO the
fact at the inquest on this unhappy
person Tweedledee, OF whatever his
nickname was"
Another Murder.
'Yeu mean the murder In AederIy
woods" said the solicitor. ''of course.
heard about that for"
Esther hdgeted nervousIy in her
seat and made q casual remark TO
change the subject. Such q discus
sion was most painful to her.
They reached ScsrsdAle at last, the
nearest station to Helm Court.
"By the bye" Mr.. Graves said, with
sudden consciousness of negligence.
How very forgetful of me not to
have mentioned It, but Mrs. Bora
dale bade me tell you that she will
be charmed II you will come on to
lunch after visiting the court. She
Is very anxious to make Miss Vas
sells acquaintance" He turned to
Esther you will accept the invita-
tioR. my dear young lady, will you
not?"
Mrs. Meredith; Esther Is Suspicious.
Esther looked doubtful. She did
not feel in the mood for meeting
strangers. MrA Meredith loved soci-
ETY., and to meet a weman OF ackRowl.
edged social position. nay, more. to
lunch with one. was something to
plume herself upon.
So to please Mrs. Meredith Esther
consented to lunch at the ToweTA
Mrs. BoFTsdale's magnificent country
seat.
Don't sigh. Esther" cried Mrs.
Meredith eheertully, See, we have
arrived"
II was true The carriage had
drawn up before a heavy gate. behind
which there with a vista Of smooth
lawn and flower beds ss yet unten-
anted. 4 euFvihg carriage road led
to the massive gray home.
Il propose we descend here" said
Mr.. Graves, "And walk up to the
house. AS you see, II Is no distance.
The main part of the garden lIss in
the rear. All" he added, as he
sprang from the carriage, there IL
Mr. johnson, your manager. Miss Vas
sell, whom I asked to meet US here,
and-yes. 1 think It is the new rector"
Continued Tomorrow