Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-02-17
CHAPTER LEV


L ly chided her for not tell
ing him at once that Jim
Gage had threatened her, II had this
other dreadful thing to tell you-if
couldn't bring myself to let you
know. Then Adele had said before
she went to Yonkers that if others
weren't to be there-I expected the
Wheelers and the Posts-it ruined a
woman for ever to be in Sloane's
good wor n, could go there alone,
would CO."
adele was right in q way. But
you were expecting others. You
might have trusted unexpectedly as
this fellow Gage brought me into it..
But see how he worked upon your
feelings, dear. l see through his
plan, just as I see through the dia-
bolical one of SIoane's. Never mind
them, dear. I'll take this out of your
hands,
But suppose he does tell your
friends?"
II shall see that he doesn't tell
anyone. His methods show that he
is a crook. 1t isn't hard to brighten
men like him into siIence-men who
threaten women"
Helen was fighting against her
love for this man, the man who loved
and trusted her in spite of every
thing.
you will marry me, Helen
soon?"
"Yes-I-oh, Kirk, love you!
And I tried so hard not to-" she de-
clared between tears and laughter as
he took her into his arms.
For an hour they talked the usual
rapturous talk of love, then Lansing
left her. Long Helen sat without
moving, a tender smile playing about
her lips, a smile in her eyes. She
had decided to keep her last little
secret to herself. 1t had hurt no one
but her. And she had been already
so smirched when it happened that
surely it could not matter. She was
happy-she would be happy with
Lansing. AS his wife she would for
get all the miserable, unhappy past
So Adele found her, looking hap
pier than she had seen her for weeks
and months.
Lansing has been here! I smell
smoke. His brand"
Eyes, he has just left"
Then, joyously: you have told
him and he has forgiven, just as I
knew he would! Oh, Helen, l am so
glad!"
Eyes, Adele, L told him-every-
thing" The hesitation was very
slight HE was inclined to scold me
little about giving my, money to
that elevator runner and is going to
take care that he doesn't worry me
any more. I told him the fellow said
he we goire to California when he
came the second time, but he thinks
he V S lying, that he said he was
going away so I would give him the
money"
81 hope he fixes the brute. And
wish you could see yourself. Come
here and look" Adele dragged Helen
from her chair to the mirror. Helen
Election as Adele had been to see the
change in her. A happy girlish face
with softly trembling lips and shin
ing eyes gazed back at her-the face
of a happy, loving woman instead OF
the anxious one that for weeks she
had seen reflected.
81 can't help saying, I told you
so,' even if it amt nice thing to
do" Adele declared when she had
danced Helen around the room few
times, and then, both out Of breath,
they had sat down to talk things
over. when is it going to be,
Helen? Not that I want to be rid
of you. I shall die of loneliness
down here in the Square when you
are gone, but you are such con-
scientious creature" Helen WINGED,
but Adele was too busy to notice.
ct don't know, Adele. Kirk wants
it to be very soon."
"Wise mani"
The light faded from Helen's eyes.
adele, I have seen-him!"
"You mean Blacktop?'
Eyes. This morning. I went to
the store. He saw me and insisted
upon walking along with me.
thought he would also insist upon
coming down here, but he didn't. He
let me go when 1 took the bus"
"Why should he want to follow
you? You are free from him now"
ST know-but he acted very
strangely 1t would be dreadful if
would come of it,
Did he ask you any questions?"
Insulting ones which L did not an
swer-yes."
"He said he was going to be in
New York permanently. In some way
you must get over your feeling OF
fear of him. You may run into him
AGAR" Adele was not so carelessly
easv in her mind as she pretended
to be. She would tell Kirk to hurry
the wedding. Once his wife, Helen
would be safe.
"I shall never cease being afraid
of HMM a way. Not physically
but he is so vindictive.'
(To be Continued)