The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-10

kept her In ignorance OF the danger you
are in? She would be the first to wish to
spare you, and hot, crowded ballroom is
hardly the place for you now. don't
wonder that you had to come away"
my wife knows nothing. It would be
cruel to spring such misfortune on her
in the middle Of the season, when she is
enjoying herself so much. / like to see
her happy. Indeed, until the matter is set
tled-for or against wish to keep it as
quiet as possible"
AS Estcourt spoke of his wife Olga Leth.
bridges face changed, but the momentary
expression Of malice passed. In one re-
spect these two were curiouslY alike. They
both had the same almost cold reserve, the
same self-restraint, the same undercurrent
Of strong passion, which rose so seldom to
the surface that few people even knew it
was there.
Have you told nobody then?" she said.
"Am the only one who knows?"
81 told my aunt, Lady Sarah" he said.
Il thought some one in the family ought to
know. But you are the only other person
in the secret, and had no intention Of tell
ing you. You OWNED for yourself that
something was wrong"
A thought flashed through her mind.
Could she be more to him in this hour OF
trial than his own wife? II the darkness
never lifted, might he not turn to her for
help and comfort rather than to the beauti-
full bride of a year ago, who as Norah
Marchmont had been the most sought after
debutante Of her season, and now, as Lady
Estcourt, was one Of the gayest figures in
society? Was this girl-wife fitted to soothe
and tighten the hours of a sorely tried man ::
Let Lady Estcourt enjoy herself, so long
as she-0Iga Lethbridge-could fill the post
of trusted friend and comforter.
Olga Lethbridge had never forgotten
nor forgiven-the fact that but for this girl,
who had taken Ralph Estcourt's heart by
storm, she might have married him and
have been a happy woman. Every one had
expected it, She herself most of all; and
then in a moment, as It seemed, all her
hopes were destroyed, and she was left to
make the best Of q lonely life.
"H the worst comes to the worst, trust
l may be patient and considerate," said
Lord Estcourt gravely. But it will not be
easy, as know already. Such an affliction
almost inevitably makes a man selfish"
81 DO not think Lady Estcourt could
complain Of your exactions at present" she
said coldly. "You seem to let her do Just
as she pleases. She has been the gayest
of the gay this season, while for you"-she
paused-'Iife must nave been nothing less
than tragedy"
81 like her to go about; it makes it easier
for me-" he said. "H we were much to-
gether she might discover that there was
something wrong, or l might be weak
enough to break down and sell her. Let
her be happy as long as she can"
"Your thoughtfulness and consideration
are beyond all praise" she said with a
touch Of bitterness she could not restrain.
Perhaps, as. the amateur usually does, /
have been oVer-acting my part" he replied,
but il had to be all or nothing. Norah
would often have stayed with me when l
made some excuse to remain at home, but
would not let her. l. persuaded her to
take part in everything, TO go about every
where wanted her to have at least one
year Of unclouded happiness"