The Washington times., 1918-08-08

only that There are other thing.
against which I cannot contend
The drug. Esther, has been my one
solace. 1t Is my delight. II takes
me to another world OF oblivion, OF
beautiful phantasy. You do not
know"
Esther shuddered. 81 know" she
said. at has been secretly admin.
istered to me. Why did you allow
that to be done, Harold?"
Have you tried it?" he asked,
vacuously. II did not know" II
was as IL he had forgotten the ac-
cusation hurled at him by Basil. "It
would not hurt you, Esther. II you
were unhappy 1t would make you
forget"
You must promise me, Harold" !"
she said, steadily. "You must give
me your word that II 1 remain with
you, II we return together to the
city, you will never attempt to con-
vert me to the use Of the drug,
whatever Il may be-"
Il promise you, Esther" But the
words sounded wholly without con-
viction even as the face was wholly
without expression.
And in New York." pursued Es-
ther, 'T must be sure OF this, Harold,
before I consent to go there with
you-in New York there will be no
recurrence of-of the horrid mys-
teries that have been growing up In
this houseT'
"what horrid mysteries?' he ask
ed. absently.
Was he paying no heed to her
Nunr6aG GurEnNNy ha xry4NN1A -
to deny knowing of recent events?
Harold. this house has been con-
verted into a second Adderley. Is
not one such house enough? Can we
not shut up the family abomina-
tions there and keep our own lives
clean of them? Must they follow
US wherever we go? Here in Helm,
where your mother lived so long.
and where there has been no hint
of evil up to now, you have shut
off a suite of rooms, even as they
are shut off at Adderley, and you
have allowed something crea-
ture, a woman, a malignant being
I don't know what II is-to take
up her residence there. Can you
not send her back to Adderley,
Harold? There are those there who
understand. For years and years
has been given up to
those evil things. For Gods sake,
keep them there. These new serv-
ants, Paul and his kind, let them go
back. too. Even old Luke at the
lodge-he belongs to Adderley, not
10 Helm. There is work for them
all there. We will stay in the city,
till the place is purified,
and till you yourself are in better
health, and then come back here
where the people love you for
FOUR mothers sake"
She paused. for there was a
strange sound in Harold's throat:
Esther could not tell whether it
was a laugh or a sob.
You shall not be troubled with
hese things, Esther" he said. IF you
'ear with me for the little while /
ave to live. ! kept away"-for the
lrst TING since she had returned to
he room he faced her. and she saw
nat his features were twitching vio-
entity as IL struggling to express emo
ion: she was forced to avert her
yes. for the man was horrible to look
tt kept away from you to save
ou from such annoyance, and be-
ause-but never mind the other
eason- suffered. Esther, more than
GU can ever know-and 1 had other
1ings to bear as we'll And now It
J to save you that 1 ask you-for a
tile while-a month or so-perhaps |
.ss-to be my wife"
II am your wife" murmured Esther
and I want to do my duty by you.
Iarold, want to comfort you. to
urse you"
Yes, yes" he interrupted impatient
:, then: Tell me, Esther" he mutt
red. his head bowed. and his eyes
red upon the 6re, have you ceased
love me!''
The words seemed almost an offense.
have never ceased to love the Har-
d Of our wedding day." she said.
But am not he" Harold
.ughed hoarsely. still. Esther,
ou will try to give me a little of
BUR love, will you not? Imagina-
on may go a long way-and one
ay simulate Imagination. Try to
link of me as was and shut your
'es to me as ! am. After all, Il is
ot much to ask this OF ones wife,
II US be man and wife, Esther,
II / do this. Will you do this,
,ar?
He reached out his shaking hand
I'd she placed her own cool fingers
thin It His grasp frightened, and
drew her toward him.
With a convulsive shudder she
sengaged herself. Harold had
ver attempted to kiss her since the
ght OF their marriage, the night
'on which he had voluntarily
m himself from her. How she
d longed for affection during the
ng. lonely days which followed.
It gradually. as she had watched
E mans determination the idea
such a thing had become re-
gnant to her. And now 1t was a
her heart and soul re-
lted against II
Forgive me-" he said, and once
IRE he turned his face-that hor-
lie mask-away from her. "It
Is the kiss of our reconciliation
1t / asked. But forgot myself,
: the moment. ! forgot that 1 ]
lst be horrible to you. as am.
II not offend you again IN that
y. Esther"
She was repeating to herself:
e Is my husband. the man
ed" but the assurance had but
lie effect upon her. And why
'uld the slim, upright figure. the
nix, healthy eyes of Basil in
de themselves?
Be Continued Tomorrow, p,
CopyriRhted By W He.r.t