The Washington times., 1922-07-02

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guessed before, how utterly and
completely the man held sway over
her-that 1t was too late to hope
for even an outward semblance
Of reconciliation between US. !
left her them"
He paused and took q few strides
the length Of the narrow room,
speaking again as he did so.
ats funny-but I never
thought of Gish in connection with
her death. Like the world, ! only
connected him with her in as much
as he was getting her talked about
and as only one of the reasons
for our quarrel. Until last night,
when l learned that the cuff link
was his"
"Last night?" Lee looked
startled, but he brushed the in
terruption aside.
"Gish had assumed no greater
Importance In the ghastly affair.
But now-now"-he halted before
her again, and his breath came
quickly-"I've begun to wonder.
Gish must have been there in the
apartment with her at some time
he might even have been there,
in hiding, during our interview
and quarrel. If so-if so, Lee,
why should they not have quar-
relied, too? God knows, it's only
a surmise-but a drowning man
clutches at straws, however frail"
Lees eyes widened in horror,
and something of his own excite
ment. "You mean?"
THAT the blow that killed
Chrissie was struck brutally, with
out deliberation, in the heat Of un-
governed passion. ! did not strike
that blow. There was only one
other with whom she could have
quarrelled violently. That other
was Gish. l know more of him
now-through hearsay-tban l did
five years ago. His methods
with women and otherwise
have become notorious. They
have always been brutal"
Lee drew a brief, mental pic
ture Of her erstwhile guest-suave,
debonair, altogether charming. She
remembered her impression Of the
lines about his mouth, the look
in his eyes, and shuddered. She
waited silently for Carson to 60
on.
Even now," he proceeded, mo
suspicion Of him would have
crossed my mind, If it had not
been for Harry"
He stopped short. Lee looked
at him again scarchingly, ques-
tioningly. He met her glance and
smiled family.
at doesn't matter now-but
he's one Of the two truest friends
a man ever had! He, and one
other, gave up five years of their
lives in working for my liberty"
Again his lips twitched. But for
those two l should never have
gained it, or kept it day! owe
everything to them"
Lee moistened lips that had be-
come little dry.
"But-Gishw she whispered.
"How-what grounds" She
broke off. Carson shrugged and
then squared his shoulders. His
eyes looked tired suddenly, a little
bleak.
81 don't know. I've got to leave
the rest in Harry's hands. The
waiting-suspense be damn
able, Of course" His eyes met
hers, deepened and glowed. "Were
it ,ot for you," he whispered, "Pd
give myself up again-risk all for
the chance of voicing my own sus-
picions. But-for your sake, for
the sake of our joint happiness
! darent"
He swung away from her again,
and stood staring out of the win
dow. She heard him speaking
presently, just above his breath.
'I've been a fool! Worse than
a fool! I'd no right to do what
l have done-no right to involve
you in this-no right to take from
you what l have. I've been a
selfish unthinking brute, but, my
God, Lee! If this me ans freedom
permanent, unshadowed free
dom-thipk! Think what it means
to youto me! Think of the
happiness that lies ahead of us!
He faced her again and came
towards Ler, but with little cry
Lee drew back. There was be-
wilderment in her eyes, shrinking
something OF fear.
Don't" she said just above her
breath. "Oh--you don't know
what you are saying! You have