The Washington times., 1919-09-21


friend, she has certainly always
been my enemy, but ] should
scarcely have thought she could
have done me any harm with you.
She would not once" Then, be-
fore he could speak, she turned to
Lady Sarah.
AS this seems to be a family
matter, you may as well be pres
ent, too" she said, especially if it
is Of such Importance that it de-
mands a special sitting with closed
doors. Let US hear what terrible
charge Miss Lethbridge has to
make against me- and she held
out her hand carelessly to Lady
Sarah. But the next moment the
slender fingers had gTipped hers
with such force that she had to bite
her lips to restrain a cry.
Il hope she win be able to keep
it up, Lady Sarah thought, doubt
fully, as Norah swept past her hus-
band without a glance. "She is
angry with Estcourt, that viii help
her. That Lethbridge woman has
started well; he's half suspicious
already; she knows how to drop
her poison.
When the library door was shut
and Estcourt looked in his wife's
pale, proud face as she sat down af-
ter a formal bow to Miss Lethbridge,
all his old love and faith rushed
back in a flood. That vas not the
face Of q woman who had anything
to fear; guilt did not bear itself
so bravely. If she had changed Of
Iate-had seemed tired and cold
and Indifferent to most things
might It not ali be due to the nerv-
Gus breakdown for which the doc
tors had prescribed in vain? Was
it not cruel to torment such a fra
gle creature with a doubt?
He had been standing near the
door, but now he went up to Norah.
Il an almost sorry now you
came" he said, gently, "and yet it
is better you should hear the extra
ordinary story Miss Ilethbridge had
begun to ten me. But remember
you have only to speak, and / shah
believe. / viii take your word
against anybody and everybody"
Miss Lethbridge's veiled eyes
grew more cold and venomous but
she said nothing, only her hand
closed more firmly on a letter she
held. She could afford to wait.
Could she not shatter that faitL at
any moment she pleased?
"Wm you ten me Of what am
accused?" Norah asked, languidly,
leaning back in her chair. 'It ought
to be something very dreadful, the
atmosphere seems so tragic"
Miss Lethbridge's lips tightened
at he d;sdainful words.
'T have thought it my duty" she i.
began, quietly, ito tell Lord Est
court Of the event that took Oiace .
about nine months ago. I aIiude,
Of course, to your elopement with
Mr.. DeIacour. l should have spoken
long ago, but I knew how imper-
ativa It was that Lord EstcOurt
should not be worried while his
eyesight was in a precarious state.
Now that all danger is fortunately
over / cannot take the responsible
ity Of keeping silence any longer."
There was an instant's pause,
then Norah laughed -. lightly,
Lady Sarah, whom Olga
Lethbridge found decidedly in the
way, though she could not very
well object TO her presence, also re-
garded the speaker with amused
"And how long did this elOpe-
ment Iast?" Norah inquired. "And
how does it happen that nobody
knows anything about # but you?"
T believe it did not last more
than a few hours" was the reply,
but why it came to such an abrupt
termination I have not been able
to discover. AS to the reason the
affair has remained such a secret,
that, no doubt, is due to your clever
and fortunate circum-
You left London one
accompanied by Mr.. Della
COURT was the day after Lord
Estcourt went to Wiesbaden-and
7ou returned alone the next"
"And you brought me here to
listen to such a ridiculous story as
.hat?' Norah exclaimed, turning to
her husband. 81 should not have
hought you would have given it a