The Washington times., 1919-08-10


bitterly. But she was stiIl loyal enough
to add, almost Immediately. He may only
be away Cor night, so there was no need
for such an attention. Neither he nor /
are fond Of public displays Of affection"
shall I tell you why he did not want
you? And IL he does not like farewells in
public, how does it happen that woman
Is seeing him on now? II you want to
know who the woman is-if you want fur
Their proof that your husband Is deceiyIng
you-come at once. Ny cab Is waiting.
and we have Just time to get TO fhe station"
His hand was on her arm, leading her
out into the hall, and before she knew what
she wanted to do she had put on hat and
they were seated In the cab, winch drove
OF at rapid rate. Her heart was full to
oYerfoWins. her brain on FIRE. but she
locked her hands together and said not a
word Only once she broke the silence.
where are you taking me3r she said.
Ralph is going north. He 6ould start
from Euston."
Lord Estcourt e now ct Victoria Sta
tion." her companion replied, sand he is
going BY the boattrain to Flushing"
She gave q little cry that was instantly
repressed. and sat gazing steadily before
her without seeing anything.
The cab dashed into the station Just as
the porters were slamming the doors Of
the train Paul hurried her on to the plat
form, and they were Just IN time to see
Estcourt saying few last earnest words
from the carriage window TO q woman
whose face was raised eagerly TO his. The
woman was Olga Lethbridge. Paul turned
to speak to his companion. but caught hold
Of her with an exclamation Of concern.
take me awayl" she whispered family.
For heavens sake, take me away! ]
have seen enough"
She leaned back 81 the cab with her eyes
closed, silent and motionless, and Delacour
began TO be afraid that the shock had been
too great II she fell 81 Il would defeat
all his plans But Norah Estcourt was
young and strong. and the relief Of uncon-
sciousness was not for her. When the cab
stopped In Belgraye Square she could get
out without assistance, and she made q
sign to Paul to accompany her into the
house
''You have made me see 90 clearly that
can never blind my eyes again." she said
IN ceriously low, expressionless voice.
Il don't need you 70 tell me any more.
/ am that poor. despised creature-an un-
loved, unWanted wife. know Il all The
truth has gone home at last. ! under
stand the change In him now"
you won't stay with him day longer"
he said eagerly. IF love would not keep
him faithful. at least gratitude should have
done so. You have showered everything
wealth, and what return has he made you?
Has he not proved his unworthiness beyond
q doubt?"
"His unworthiness3" she repeated softly
as she sank into chair. "And yet once
once he seemed to me to tower far above
all other men. He was not only years
older than I, but thought him infinitely
wiser and better In every way. He was
not only the man ! loved, but the man /
honored and respected-of whom, perhaps,
I even stood little In awe. because
seemed such an ignorant, uniformed crea.
tire beside him" She laughed a little.
such impossible heroes. But" speaking
more decidedly, "tust because he was my
prince once upon q time, and / shall never
have such dreams again, l must give him
one last chance. Il is possible that even
now, at the eleventh hour. he may be able
to explain. There may be nothing wrong,
though It Is so mysterious"
Mr. Delaeour looked incredulous.
"He has never gone away before without
sending me a wire to say that he has ar
rived safely. ! will wait until tomorrow
morning for q message; II none comes, her
eyes hardened, 81 shall kaoW that he in
tends 70 keep his journey secret, and
shall be justified In believing the worst.
Then-then I shall not wait for his return.
You can take me away-anywhere, so long
as II Is where I shall not see his face
again"
He caught her hand to his lips.
you win give him measure for measure;
you will leave him as he has left you. He
cannot complain. ] will wait another
twenty-four hours; but cannot wait any
longer. / have been sent for to Paris. and
my return is uncertain. as ! may be given
another post. So you must decide quickly.
II you come with me l shall throw up
everything else to devote my life to you.
am dazzled with my happiness!
! cannot realize Il" he murmured passion
ately, as he bent over her. 81 have no
words with which to thank you II seems
to me"-and his voice was soft as a caress
that shall thank you best by bringing
the light back to those dear eyes, the
smiles to your lips. Some day you shall
look at me, and there shall not be even the
shadow Of q memory between US. I shall
be the one man in your world, as you will
be the one woman in mine. We will make
our home now on the lonely African veIdt,
now on some island in the GUNNER seas.
What matter where, so long as 1t is I
with thee and thou with me'?"
But the passionate words fell on dull
ears. Lady Estcourt bad no look beyond
the present; all she wanted was a way Of