The Washington times., 1918-06-17
cHAFTER Lxxx1


A Rsessaftlon.
III sumner Of the year saw NJ. 81
Mrs.. Borradale settled h their New
York house. to an outward appoaranos
content and happy. The world Of -
ciety received them with open arma,
made much Of Esther. and good-humor-
edly tolerated what we're dednsd e
"Borradale's eccsntricitieS."
1T has always been the sams vita
the B0rradales." This vas the miveF-
sal opinion Needy and moroso as they
get on In years. Usually sons partics-
lar falling which develops itsaR an1
causes trouble. But hay manage -
marry well; Ma. Borradaie. 81. pocF
lady. was charming. and the pre1eut
hrs- Borradals b quite worth cult-
vating-quita"
There was no hint-bseauss thars
was 10 knowledge Of the dIvida1
melance. Of the eoldness between hua-
band and wife. Of the impassabie bar.
rier which neither love nor sympafhy
could break down ,
Thi5 obstacle was Of Harold's
making; he had. indeed, strength
sned and fortiasd t. shortly afeeR
his mothers death be had discussed
the matter very seriously with
Esther.
Il behaved like a brute to you,
Esther" he said, ~and hardly dar6
ask your forgiveness. I was not
myself. and / do not think I was
responsible for my actions Tou
need not be afraid that I shall o.
fend again"
Esther was ready to throw bsF-
self into his arms. She sprang ~
from her chair. her face flushed.
Harold" she cried. you win
take me to you again-oh, thanS
heaven
But a bitter smile crossed his
face. and he shook his head despair
ingly.
awe can never be all in all -
Zach other, Esther" he said, gently
Hfor your sake, dear. Won't yOu
understand that IL Is for your saka
that I place this check upon my
self? Before the world we are MAJ
and wife: let Us play our paGts -
the world, then you may attain
time to a peace OF mind such az
cannot hope for. shall never dis
grace you again-of that you may
be certain. Ny mother was nos
without her pleasures@
HInts At . Past
she had her husbands love-
said Esahsr, bitterly. -She shared
hIs secrets. She had you to I've
for. You are giving me nothing
nothing"
He made 10 answer. but Wh@
Esther turned away and left him
he threw himself down At fun
length upon q low couch and buried
his face In his hands. HIS form
shook with long sobs. He groaned
aloud In his agony.
II dare notr' he moaned- 7 dsre
not! II I accepted her love now
could ! and strength to refuse mo
own? And that must never be.
Esther Esther If you could IN
derstand the weight Of the cross
have to bear! II It would break M
but am too strong for that
And death may not court Nine
is q death in life, and ] must endure
Il to the endI-
He vTithed a. II in actual physt-
cal pain. He eraVed for the stimu-
liant which he was now denying
himself. The tAntaius was on he
sidsboard almost within his grasps
he had TO dig his fingers deep nto
the soft brocaded tapestry Of the
couch, careless II he tore II, -
keen himself back. There were
drops OF blocd upon the light Eoft
cushion against which his face was
pressed: they came from his lip,
though he had not been conscious
OF biting it
Such paroxysms were frequene
With him In these days. During thS
month that followed his marriage
he had let himself go so freely that
the passion had become absorolngs
sometimes he yielded to Il, Lhough
his consequent suferings were in
tense
soIaee IN PesEimlStle philosophy.
He had never been a man 70 care
for books-his had been the passion
for open-air life; but now q WAs
to them he flew for solaes- VITA
them he shut himself up in hia
study. With them. especially thA
posts Of pessinism. sueh - HGnAS
he found some relief. 1t va =
strange alteration in the Whoo
nature Of the man
Esther resigned herself to -
cumstances- Lillian had been nghG
md the best that could be hoped
for had been attained. Harold,
like his father, had recovered from
the effects Of the hrst shock. ard
had become what he Would remain
for the rest Of his hfe-a moroeA
self-centered man, cold 70 the
world, unsympathstic and unre-
sponsive to herself. By degrees 80
found herself III at ease in his
presence; she could not open her
heart to him, for he never en-
couraged her to do so; she wa
embarrassed, and had to seek for
subjects Of conversation
Continued Tomorrow