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

'sBut what OF your friends" she asked
with suppressed passion. "Did you never
think OF them? Don't leave them quite
out in the cold. Like another Esau," and
she laughed unsteadily, Il could beg for .
thought-for the remnant Of your blessing.
No! Not even for that For just the
chance to serve you, Ralph-to be Of only
the smallest help in your trouble. II seems
horrible that you should meet 1t all alone;
that there Is no one to speak q word Of
comfort to you"
She flung up her hands to her face.
ssOlga-dear friend" he said warmly,
you are taking this too much to heart l
did not guess you would feel It so deeply
Forgive my selfshness. You have helped
already. I feel all the better for having
told you, and you shall know all that hap
pens as soon as possible"
"Let me be the first to hear" she cried
eagerly. Send me word first of ALL" Then.
seeing his look Of surprise, she added
quickly, 81 should like to be able to help
your wife IL it is bad news; to spare her
as much as possible. Give me something
to do for you, Ralph; it would make me so
much happier"
AS a rule It was not an attractive face;
It was too hard and cold and colorless "a
study in drabs a cynical critic had once
called Miss Lethbridge), but now, flushed
and uuivering under the stress of genuine
emotion, for the time it was almost beauti-
full. certainly pathetic The cold eyes grew
soft and tender, the bitter mouth relaxed,
the slender white hands her one great
beauty-Were stretched out to him in
entreaty.
At that. moment a curtain over one Of the
windows of the room behind was gently
drawn back, and a woman looked into the
balv.,ny. AS she saw the outstretched
hands. the evident oblivion Of those two to
all but each other, she caught her breath
sharply and her eyes deVoured the mans
face. She saw 1t moved and softened, as
she-his wife-had seldom seen 1t. She
could not hear what he said, but his action
seemed significant enough. He took the
beautiful hands in both his own.
Thank you, Olga" he said, again and
again. l shall never forget your kindness.
II Max Bernhard says an operation will
give me a chance-though am told 1t will
be great risk-then must have it done;
and will ask you to bring my wife out to
me, Poor girl! She will need some one
to help her, and she has no near relatives
except a young sister. 1t will relieve my
mind to know that you are at hand 70 break
the news to her If necessary.
The watching woman dropped the cur
tain as though 1t had stung her. That
tender parting seemed to need no words
of explanation She had always disliked
Olga Lethbridge, had always been jealous
OF her. though she would have scornfully
denied that she could be jealous OF one
whom she considered so much her INFERIOR
But 1t was not until few weeks ago that
she had learned to fear>her as well.
Miss Lethbridge was clever, intellectual
woman, and Lord Estcourt, who shared her
literary tastes, frequently consulted her on
various subjects on which she-his wife
was not supposed to have an opinion. But
lately there had been something more
something she feared, but could not under.
stand.
II have played the spy and earned the
spy's reward" she thought. with bitter
scorn as she turned away. Gould have
dreamed year ago that he-or would
fall SO low?"