The Little River news., 1920-04-03
chAPT FER X.

distrust. As I studied her, I was try ing to conjecture what could have been the motive so impelling that she had dared to come even within prison walls to see me. Had Barbara sent her? l doubted it. I was sure that more than likely her visit was 10 plead with me to keep silent about her part in the tragedy. I was cer- tain She was going to ask me to pledge my word to tell no one of her second visit to the Gaston apartment
 Yet as I studied her weak, beautiful face so like BarbaIaS and yet so diff ferenf, with it's senSuous mouth and rowing, brilliant eyes. I still was won dering how it was possible for d girl of her refinement and social position to have become enmeshed with such common criminals as the two Hm- pioyees of the Granddeck Wick and the telephone girl.
 ITO what am indebted fer 1he hcnor of this yisit,s asked at length, aiding with some sarcasm, from my sister,"
 Never for & second had 1 imagined tteat other than selfish motive could have brought her thither, and the con yersation that followed was all the more surprising tc me cn th,t ac- count.
 ''i had to say was your sister," she answered quickly. ' wanted to be sure of seeing you and I did not wish anyone to recognize me. You know, I believe who I am?'
 You are Barbaras sister" 1 re- piled.
 '"That's why came" she cried. flor Barbara's sake. I have eome to plead with you for her"
 ''To plead-with me-for her." I echoed in astonishment.
 ''Yes," she cried passionately "She's young. She's little more than a child. She did not realize what she was doing. You must not let anyone know you even know her. You must never, never tell"
 'Never tell what?" I answered non- committaIly.
 
 I thought for little that she was going to break down completely. Her manner and the pallor of her face attracted the attention of the keeper who was in the room with us. and he started forward as if expecting her to fall in a faint Resolutely she pulled herself together and went on in calmer tones.
 "Oh, I know all about it. I know that she is completely fascinated by you. I know that sine has been meet ing you in the park. I know that she has lunched with you at the AstOr." She hesitated and her face crimsoned-'I know that she has even visited you in your rooms late at night. Oh, please, please. l beg of you, if there is spArk of manhood in you, do not take advantage of a silly girls weakness. Please help me protect my little sisters name; prom ise-you will, won't you?a
 "Why should I?" l replied careless ly, repressing my desire to leap at once to Barhara's defense and explain how pure and honorable her conduct had been and how lofty the motive that had governed her actions Tempted though 1 was to defend her I realized that this might h.. an op- rOrtunity to learn something of Claire Bradford's associates. and I deter- mined to make the most of it. How ..te 1 c,1.. ingS with Barbara unless she was in league with the persons who had been having me shadowed? Row he 4lnowedge that Barbara had haen in any apartment could have come TO hAr was mystery beyond ne. 1 wonid have sworn that that was a secret Sa. cred to our two selves.
 ''Listen to me-" she commanded. speaking in low tones, Barbara is my baby sister. innocent of the ways of the world. I must save her from herself. and her heedIessness. Never. aever. if can help it. shall she suffer the agony and shame and disgrace 2hat have known. Years ago 1, just as she is now, became infatuated with a man far below me in the social scale. He, too, was criminal"
 sniffed indignantly at the ''he. tOo." but she paid no attention.
 "I ran away from school and mar- ried him and learned too late that he had wife and child already. All my life, ever since that terrible thing has followed me. It's like q specter ever rising to confront me. Even If have to kill you. I am going to save my lit de sister from following in my steps"
 Where ii 0aston Maurice now?" asked. "Haye you seen him recently?'
 She gasped and shuddered, looking at me incredulously.
 You" she breathed excitsdiy, "who are you? How do you know his Bame?"
 "Never mind how I know it," l re- piled. "What I want to know is where is he now! When did you see him last2''
 Not for years-net since laag ea-