The Washington times., 1919-08-17
he Jecref Door - ~ Dsrek Vac

IN this way but he smiled tender
" as he said il cIasping his strons
hand round her trembling one as
she held the glass. 7 viii take
care not to leave you alone again
to play such pranks."
She closed her eyes tor a mo-
ment with q little sigh Of content
msnt. AhF II be had always been
like this she would never have
dreamed Of leaving him. Lord
Estcourt trusted completely where
he trusted at all. and no suspicion
OF his wife had ever entered bis
mind. So he went on talking. con
tent to aft until she was ready to
explain. He was 50 happy that he
could have made excuses Tor any
one or anything to-day.
7 wondered what on earth had
become Of you, he said. The ser
wants didn't know. and the lstter
which ! suppose you left to enlight-
en- me only added to my bsWilder-
ment I was beginning to think
that / should have to advertise for
you under the heading Of Lost,
Stolen or Strayed. And be
lauxhed ont Of pure Iightners OF
heart.
'The letter." she repeated.
hoarsely. and the glass ratified
against the plate so you had my
letter. She felt Ike a criminal
awaiting a sentence Of life or
death.
"Such as Il was" be replied
What a careless young person you
are! Do You know that instead Of
finding an explanation Of your sud
den fight. found q polite letter Of
thanks 70 Miss Lethbridgs. You
mixed your letters up, ] suppose,
and sent her mine IN It's place
Norah gave a little cry.
asked. you look little alarmed.
hope there was nothing paFticu-
larry private and confidential Did
you say something nice to me-"
with a tender. quiZzical smile. Il
am afraid scarcely deserved It.
You haven't found me a very salts
factory husband Of late. have you.
darlingG But you viii see ! had
some excuse when I tell you all
about it. Only Il Is q long story.
and you must get a little rested
first"
II sent her your letter." she re-
peated, in dazed tones. not needing
anything else. "She has had your
letter and read it2" Her eyes grew
wide with fear and horror.
fWell. probably" be said. amused
Ct her dismay. "She would not hnd
ont the mistake until she had read
some Of It, at all events. Don't
take It zoo much to heart ] win
answer for her discretion" He
thought she was annoyed at her
own carelessness, that was all
ANSWER for her discretionl"
Lady Estcourt could have laughed
al the mOckery Of the words. She
had delivered herself into her
enemy's hands. There could Be no
escape now. She would be thrown
to the wolves.
Oh, the bitterness Of 1.-THE
cruelty. Just when she thought
there might be q chance. She had
only escaped one danger 70 fall into
a worse. Her husband would have
cast her on; but he would have
spared her as much as possible.
This woman would spare her moth
ing. She knew that Olga Leth-
bridge had always secretly been
her enemy.
"By the way" he exclaimed. the
next moment. Il believe saw
Olga's handwriting among some
letters that were waiting for me
downstairs. I did not stop to open
them. I wanted to get rid Of some
Of the dust and dirt of the journey
first. Shall I send for them now
and set your anxious mind at rest? ?"
She could hardly repress a cry
Oh lO0s uc MAuC ua4 6AgCn nCA
fresh strength and courage, and she
caught at the gleam Of hope
Eyes" she said. and she laughed
back at him quite gayly. We'll
have the letters up and read them
together, I was a little vexed at
having made such a mistake, for
know how prim and particular she
is, but We1l see what she says and
then forget all about it. There are
pleasanter things to think Of even
than Miss Lethbridge, are there
not?'' she asked, coquettishly.
Her eyes were shining and the
color had come back to her face.
She was a beautiful woman again
and she knew her power.
Much pleasanteF," he replied,
as he stopped to kiss the pretty
mouth held up inVitingly. There
is my wife, for instance. My wife,
to whom I have not had many op-
portunities Of saying pretty things
Of late, but who shall see how
will make up for lost time now.
But need tell her that she Is the
dearest and Dleasantest thing in
all the world TO me?" Though the
words warp iirht his vOicp