Evening journal., 1922-09-08


. TO the door.
In the whirl OF her emotions, she
was endeavoring to fasten thought
upon Barney only as cousin Agnes's
son; but against her Will, and peyolt-
ing her thoughts Of her father would
come in.
"Oh, last night he had taken her
as lover, Agnes's son and-her
fathers? She was here in Agnes's
house-Agnes who might have been
might have been
She heard some one coming and,
starting up. she saw cousin Agnes's
housekeeper. Mrs. Vain, usually so
calm. so completely in control OF
herself, advanced under a nervous
tension which visibly shook her
slight body. Her words confessed
she had been listening.
What was he saying 20 you Of
Mrs. oliver Cullen?" she besought
her hands trembling on Bthers
shoulder. "What was he telling to
your Oh. you must tell me; he
said Mrs. Cullen"
Nothing about her nowl" Ethel
cried. Il mean, he was talking
about her long ago. But-but," sud
denly she collapsed in the house
keepers arms. I'm going away;
home TO Wyoming, Mrs. Vain. You
must help me off. And II Mr.. Lou
trelle calls for me or telephones, I
can not speak to himl can't see
himl Perhaps-perhaps I can write.
must never meet him again!"
CHAPTER XVI.
Early that afternoon. Incas's de-
pendable operative reported that he
had followed Ethel Carew TO the
Union Station where she purchased
ticket and boarded a train for
Sheridan, wyoming. She had been
unattended and plainly under the |
stress OF strong emotion.
What Eth had told Barney was
brief and simple IN its final state
ment.
Dear Barney:
Il have found that must leave
at once for my home. Some time
later, shall know how TO explain
what must seem madness TO you.
Now / can not.
where you are and how you are
anu what w al y a0AAAk WIFI
me the most important things in my
life; so you must let me know all
about yourself. My address will be
Sheridan, Wyoming.
ETHEL"
It was several days later that
Mrs. Vain. the housekeeper. phoned
a request for him TO call.
Il speak TO you. sir Mrs. Vain
said brecthlessly. after she had ,
sunk into the seat, upon my own
sir. entirely. So l /,
must ask you. before l say another ,
word, to give me your word as a
gentleman that you will make no ,
ise Of what l shall tell-unless I ,
lllow you"
Barney felt his pulses pounding /.
lgain. What is it?" he demanded. :
you will meet me. sir-when
you're sure you're not followed.
'Where2"
AT the corner Of Tenth and Wa
BASH"
Barney went Immediately down
own. He had 20 wait on the corner
'nly a few minutes before Mrs.
Vain drove up in a taxi and invited
i'm in. !.
st. Luke's Hospital" she said TO a
he driver; and when the door was q
iosed. she vouchsafed TO Barney. o
She's had another operation; II
as performed the day before yes
,rday. She rallied at first but sank K
ter" al
still the housekeeper gave no inti- m
lation OF who "she" was; and Bar SC
ey was aware that direct inquiry d.
ould be vain. m
Barney did not know her; when m
ie nurse, who had been beside the NJ
ed. moved away. and Mrs. Vain d.
eld back and Barney advanced
lone. he was not conscious of ever
aving seen the woman who lay on CT
er side with her profile plain a
gainst the pillow. Yet a nuttering II
awe-of more than awe-came III
yer him as he halted silently beside
he bed.
Her face, as she lay turned to- m
ard him. was beautiful, though oil
lness and intense suffering she had M
urely endured. Her skin was clear in
nd lovely even in its deathly pallor: 10
er hair-black and abundant-had TO
lung to its luster as had her dark al
rows and the lashes which lay on III
er cheek. Even now the indomit
bic soul OF her-that essence OF her a
pirit which persisted though con-
ciousness long was gone-was keep vi
lg UP the fight, Barney felt. And W
e wanted her to win; oh. how he
Tanted her TO winl e'
II seemed TO him he had never ca
'ished so for anothers life; and
-hy? Because, for the first time. ei
e was beside some one who be-
'nged to him by blood? Because 81
lie was his-mother? W