The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-02
fcontinssd from Preceding Poge)

himself disgusledly, ana hastono0
on TO the Bellevue. He dsp sndsd
his key from the hall porter. who
gave him good evening. the key and
a blue envelope sealed In three
places on the back with sealing
wax, There was an odd familiarity
about the handwriting. Again and
again he scanned the thin dsrk-biue
envelope as the lift moved upward
20 the third floor. He entered his
small room, tore open the envelope
and glanced at the letter. II was
from Wilma! II began:
Dear Anthony"
81 am In the hotel In room o.,
opposite yours. | must see you, An
thony, but no one must know l am
here. ] shall not come down 10
dinner. Come to my room at half
past nine. Please come this once.
You will not regret II. | will ex'
plain everything. Au reyoir.
He was dazed and found himself
breathing heavily as he sat down
en- the bed, his eyes still liked on
the letter.
"What fool rigmarole is this? ?"
he mprmursd, Does she think
Willie the Rat doesn't know every
person entering this hotel at any
hour of day or night? or course
she doesn't.
"Why do they all take us for such
fools?" he asked himself resentfully.
Then suddenly he gave q low
whistle. by George! Won Rattle
nau is away-gone to Berlin! Is
she trying TO double-cross him?"
But he dismissed the thought.
How could he believe her? 1t was
impossible! Go to her room? With
every maid and valet spying? No.
no, no! Could II be that she
thought better of the pendant bust
ness and meant to return 1t? Not
she! No, he would see her hanged
before he went TO her room.
For the best part OF an hour he
sat there lost, absorbed, revolving
this curious message in his mind,
but he could arrive at no conclu-
sion.
Clarkson was incensed that eve
ming. at dinner because Anthony be-
trayed so little enthusiasm in view
OF the great news in the cable that
day, In face OF the celebration to
come.
Have to put some pep into you
tonight, son." growled Clarksop.
"You look like Campbell the under
taker. Buck up, my boy! Cham
payne is the only thing that's cheap
here" And he muttered something
about disliking wet blankets. But
do what he would Anthony was
obsess by the curious contents OF
Vilma's letter. 1t was nearly nine
O'Clock when he rose from the
coffee table and went to his room.
"Ain't you going to stay?" pro-
tested Clarkson. Anthony shook
his head.
"Oh, very we'll" drawled the big
Westel Ter resignedly. Remember
ten o'clock you come rapping, tap
ping at my chamber door,"
With a nod Anthony left them.
Once in his room he was a prey
to yet mere abyssmal perplexity.
Should he go? Dad she-could she
possibly have anything to justify
such a course as going to her room!
Had she by any chance some infOr-
nation she was willing to part
with? But how could he believe
her if she had? No, the thing was
folly. How many times
did she think she could make a
TOOL of him? 1t was his turn now,
but he did not care for the chance
Of returning the compliment. Why
could not this leech of a woman
cave him alone? 1t was half-past
line-but he did not stir from his
chair.
He was sitting on the only easy
chair with his back to the door,
gazing at the one shaded light on
lis small table. He heard no noise,
put on a sudden he was conscious
If something behind him. He
urned.
With her back against the door
inside his room stood Wilma.
She was fully dressed-in her
ilmy black-eXcept that she was
latless. and she smiled sadly, with
! melancholy down turn of one of
he corners Of her mouth.
For moment Anthony was stu
,efied.
Then swiftly he leaped from his
hair and advanced step or two
oward her. =
How could You do such thing,"1
e whispered hoarsely, with every
naid and valet spying? You think
hey won't know-you-you?" he
hammered. She stopped him by
.fting her hand and then she ad-
anced toward him.
II know, DEAR" she murmured
oftly. very low, as though she were
lerely breathing. But | had to
ome-you would not come to me
nd what does that matter? | am