The Washington times., 1919-10-12
CHAPTER XXVIL.
"Ths Gods crueify Hearts, Net
Hands."

"Ths Code crueify Hearts, Net
HGnds."
TsTCOURT was reading in the
library one afternoon when
~ the door opened, and Lady
sarah Rochester came in.
For a minute he did not see her,
and she had time to look at him
unobserved. She was startled at
the change in him. It was not only
that he looked old and ilL but he
had a restless, hunted expression
as Of q man who cannot escape
from some torturing memory.
There was a look Of strain on his
face; Of suppressed nervous eX-
citement and suffering
He glanced up from his book, saw
her. and sprang 10 his feet.
Have you Just come in2, he said.
Il did not hear you.
HTou were so absorbed in your
book. Il must be something very
interesting.
mot at all. I fancy e was send
ing me 20 sleep.
But Lady Sarah knew that he
had been thinking more than read
ing or sleeping.
Il should have come before" she
said, as she sat down, fbut ] have
been q prisoner with my old enemy,
gout, and not ct TO see or speak
70 anybody"
EstcOurt murmured his sympathy.
He had wondered why Lady Sarah
had not been round before; he had
expected her every day, though he
would have denied himself to her
had he had the chance.
4 have had a letter from Norah,"
she said, gravely.
The room reminded her Of that
OminOus meeting some time ago,
which had been the beginning Of
the end, as EstcOurt's face now re-
called his look then, though It was
greatly intensified. Now all the
kindness had gone, and its iron
rigidity and brOOding eyes made
his face almost repellent.
"Yes, I imagined so" he said,
eOIdly, as Lady Sarah paused for
an answer. She recognized that
she had set herself a difficult task.
Z can understand and sympa-
thiZe with your feelings" she went
on, but hope you won't be too
hard on Norah."
"As you have heard from her,
you probably know that have de-
Cfded on a EeuaFatfOu"
Perhaps for a time it would be
as we'll Nobody need know there
Is anything wrong, and when the
trouble has blown over, you can be
happy together again. Il Is natural
you should feel sore and angry at
present.
He gave a harsh laugh.
"YOu talk as IL &C we're some
small affair Of little consequence. |
Whereas Il has altered the whole
world for me. / think Of going |
abroad, and It Is uncertain when
shall return"
do you think you have the right !
to do that? Do you think It Is wise J
to leave a beautiful young woman
like Nora without proper protec-
tionT"
He looked at her. and his lip /
curled.
''What has M protection been ]
WORTH" he asked, bitterly. "Bs- /
sides, I do not fancy the part Of a
private detective; have no taste
for supervision. I must be- able to
trust the people I am with. Don't
be alarmed, shall arrange every
thing properly. Norah viii have
Felicity to live with her, and she
has plenty Of friends"
"You leave her at the mercy Of
the world; you know that as well
as I do. II you remain away any
length Of time people are sure 20
talk"
'They win soon leave on II
fresh occurs 20 keep up /
their interest I thought you would
be kind enough 70 chaperon the
in q general way. II
you are seen about with them It
WIN be right"
"Of course I win % what can,
bat ] don't approve Of your action.